2009 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner's Manual - Page 137

Driving Your Mazda Starting and Driving NOTE l NOTE l l l If you change to manual shift mode when the vehicle is stopped, the gear will shift to M1. If you shift up once when the vehicle is stopped and the gear is at M1, the gear will shift to M2. M2 is helpful for starting on slippery surfaces. (2.3-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. l 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. 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. 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*) To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift lever back ( ) once. * 2.3-liter engine model Gear position indicator Shift position indicator 5-15