2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 101

J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 10 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM Driving Your Mazda Starting and Driving Automatic Transmission Controls M Transmission Ranges The shift lever must be in P or N to operate the starter. P (Park) P locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from rotating. WARNING Holding the Vehicle with P: 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. To hold the vehicle, set the shift lever to P AND set the parking brake. CAUTION Various Lockouts: Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal to shift (The ignition switch must be in the ACC or ON position). Indicates the shift lever can be shifted freely into any position. • Shifting into P, N or R while the vehicle is moving can damage your transmission. • Shifting into a driving gear or reverse when the engine is running faster than idle can damage the transmission. 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 (page 4-8). N (Neutral) In N, the wheels and transmission are not locked. The vehicle will roll freely even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or brakes are on. 5-10 Form No. 8R65-EA-03C