Various Lockouts:

Indicates that you must
depress the brake pedal to shift (The ignition must be switched to ACC or ON).

Indicates the shift lever can
be shifted freely into any position.

NOTE:
The Sport AT has an option that is not included in the traditional automatic transaxle giving the
driver the option of selecting each gear instead of leaving it to the transaxle to shift gears. Even if
you intend to use the automatic transaxle functions as a traditional automatic, you should also be
aware that you can inadvertently shift into manual shift mode and an inappropriate gear may be retained as the vehicle speed increases. If you notice the engine speed going higher or hear the
engine racing, confirm you have not accidentally slipped into manual shift mode.

Transaxle Ranges

The shift lever must be in P or N to operate the starter.

P (Park)

P locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from rotating.

WARNING:
Always set the shift lever to P and set the parking brake:
Only setting the shift lever to the P position without using the parking brake to hold the vehicle is dangerous. If P fails to hold, the vehicle could move and cause an accident.

CAUTION:
Shifting into P, N or R while the
vehicle is moving can damage your transaxle.

Shifting into a driving gear or
reverse when the engine is running faster than idle can damage the transaxle.

R (Reverse)

In position R, the vehicle moves only backward. You must be at a complete stop before shifting to or from R, except under rare circumstances as explained in Rocking the Vehicle.

N (Neutral)

In N, the wheels and transaxle are not locked. The vehicle will roll freely even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or brakes are on.

WARNING:
If the engine is running faster than idle, do not shift from N or P into a driving gear:
It's dangerous to shift from N or P into a driving gear when the engine is running faster than idle. If this is done, the vehicle could move suddenly, causing an accident or serious injury.

Do not shift into N when driving the vehicle:
Shifting into N while driving is dangerous. Engine braking cannot be applied when decelerating which could lead to an accident or serious injury.

CAUTION:
Do not shift into N when driving the vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle damage.

NOTE:
Apply the parking brake or depress the brake pedal before moving the shift lever from N to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.

D (Drive)

D is the normal driving position. From a stop, the transaxle will automatically shift through a 5-gear/6-gear* sequence.

* 3.7-liter engine

M (Manual)

M is the manual shift mode position.

Gears can be shifted up or down by operating the shift lever.

Refer to Manual Shift Mode.

Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)

Active Adaptive Shift (AAS) automatically controls the transaxle shift points to best suit the road conditions and driver input. This optimizes engine performance and improves driving comfort. When cornering the vehicle, AAS mode will hold the transaxle in the gear the vehicle was in before entering the curve, allowing the vehicle to be accelerated from the same gear after exiting the curve.

If the driver accelerates rapidly, or accelerates and decelerates rapidly by operating the accelerator and brake pedal for a certain period of time while the selector lever is in the D position, AAS mode could activate. When this occurs, AAS mode will maintain the transaxle in the optimum gear and the driver may sense that the transaxle is not shifting, however this does not indicate an abnormality.

Shift-Lock System

The shift-lock system prevents shifting out of P unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To shift from P:
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

2. Start the engine.

3. Move the shift lever.

NOTE:
- When the ignition is switched off (LOCK), the shift lever cannot be shifted from P.

- To be sure the vehicle is in park, the ignition key cannot be removed unless the shift lever is in P.

- (With Advanced Key).

The ignition cannot be switched from ACC to off (LOCK) when the shift lever is not in P.

Shift-Lock Override

If the shift lever will not move from P using the proper shift procedure, continue to hold down the pedal.

1. Remove the shift-lock override cover using a cloth-wrapped flat head screwdriver.

2. Insert a screwdriver and push it down.

3. Move the shift lever.

4. Take the vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer to have the system checked.

Manual Shift Mode

This mode gives you the feel of driving a manual transaxle vehicle by operating the shift lever and allows you to control engine rpm and torque to the front wheels much like a manual transaxle when more control is desired.

To change to manual shift mode, shift the lever from D to M.

NOTE:
Changing to manual mode can be done while driving the vehicle with no damage occurring to the transaxle.

To return to automatic shift mode, shift the lever from M to D.

NOTE:
- If you change to manual shift mode when the vehicle is stopped, the gear will shift to M1.

- (2.5-liter engine model).

If you change to manual shift mode without depressing the accelerator pedal when driving in D range, 5th gear, the gear will shift to M4.

Indicators

Shift position indicator

In manual shift mode, the “M” of the shift position indicator in the instrument panel illuminates.

Gear position indicator

The numeral for the selected gear illuminates.

NOTE:
- If the gears cannot be shifted down when driving at higher speeds, the gear position indicator will flash twice to signal that the gears cannot be shifted down.

- (2.5-liter engine model).

If the automatic transaxle fluid (ATF) temperature becomes too high, there is the possibility that the transaxle will switch to automatic shift mode, canceling manual shift mode and turning off the gear position indicator illumination. This is a normal function to protect the AT. After the ATF temperature has decreased, the gear position indicator illumination turns back on and driving in manual shift mode is restored.

Shifting

Manually Shifting up

(M1→M2→M3→M4→M5→M6).

To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift lever back (+) once.

NOTE:
- When driving slowly, the gears may not shift up depending on vehicle speed.

- In manual shift mode, gears do not shift up automatically. Do not run the engine with the tachometer needle in the RED ZONE. If the tachometer needle enters the RED ZONE, you may feel engine-braking because the fuel delivery will be stopped to protect the engine. However, this does not indicate an abnormality.

- When depressing the accelerator fully, the transaxle will shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle speed.

Manually Shifting down

(M6→M5→M4→M3→M2→M1).

To shift down to a lower gear, tap the shift lever forward (-) once.

WARNING:
Do not use engine braking on slippery road surfaces or at high speeds: Shifting down while driving on wet, snowy, or frozen roads, or while driving at high speeds causes sudden engine braking, which is dangerous.

The sudden change in tire speed could cause the tires to skid. This could lead to loss of vehicle control and an accident.

NOTE:
- When driving at high speeds, the gear may not shift down depending on vehicle speed.

- During deceleration, the gear may automatically shift down depending on vehicle speed.

- When depressing the accelerator fully, the transaxle will shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle speed.

Second gear fixed mode

When the shift lever is tapped back (+) while the vehicle is stopped or driven at about 10 km/h (6 mph) or less, the transaxle is set in the second gear fixed mode. The gear is fixed in second while in this mode for easier starting and driving on slippery roads. If the shift lever is tapped back (+) or forward (-) while in the second gear fixed mode, the mode will be canceled.

Shifting specification

Shifting up

If the vehicle speed is lower than the speed specified for each gear, the gear cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.

(2.5-liter engine model)

(3.7-liter engine model)

Shifting down

If the vehicle speed is higher than the speed specified for each gear, the gear cannot be shifted to a lower gear so as to protect the transaxle.

(2.5-liter engine model)

(3.7-liter engine model)

During deceleration, the gears shift down automatically when speed is reduced to the following:

(2.5-liter engine model)

(3.7-liter engine model)

NOTE:
The gear does not shift down to M1 automatically while in the second gear fixed mode.

If the vehicle is kicked down at the following speeds or lower, the gears shift down automatically:

(2.5-liter engine model)

(3.7-liter engine model)

Recommendations for shifting

Upshifting

For normal acceleration and cruising, we recommend these shift points.

(2.5-liter engine model)

(3.7-liter engine model)

Downshifting

When you must slow down in heavy traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift before the engine starts to overwork. This gives better acceleration when you need more speed.

On a steep downgrade, downshifting helps maintain safe speed and prolongs brake life.

Driving Tips

Passing

For extra power when passing another vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress the accelerator fully. The transaxle will shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle speed.

Climbing steep grades from a stop

To climb a steep grade from a stopped position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.

2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the load weight and grade steepness.

3. Release the brake pedal while gradually accelerating.

Descending steep grades

When descending a steep grade, shift to lower gears, depending on load weight and grade steepness. Descend slowly, using the brakes only occasionally to prevent them from overheating.