2010 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 160

RX-8_8AT5-EA-09E_Edition1 Page160 Wednesday, April 15 2009 10:33 AM Black plate (160,1) Driving Your Mazda Starting and Driving 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. Keep your hands on the steering wheel rim when using fingers or thumbs on the steering shift switches: Putting your hands inside the rim of the steering wheel when using the steering shift switches is dangerous. If the driver's air bag were to deploy in a collision, your hands could be impacted causing injury. NOTE l 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. Gear M1→M2 Vehicle speed Between 0 and 18 km/h (0 and 11 mph), depending on how much the accelerator pedal is depressed. Between 20 and 33 km/h (13 and 21 mph), depending on how much the accelerator pedal is depressed. Between 30 and 33 km/h (19 and 21 mph), depending on how much the accelerator pedal is depressed. 43 km/h (27 mph) 65 km/h (41 mph) M2→M3 M3→M4 M4→M5 M5→M6 l l 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 transmission will shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle speed. 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 transmission. Gear M6→M5 M5→M4 M4→M3 Vehicle speed 210 km/h (130 mph) 175 km/h (108 mph) Between 122 and 135 km/h (75 and 83 mph), depending on how much the accelerator pedal is depressed. Between 77 and 90 km/h (47 and 59 mph), depending on how much the accelerator pedal is depressed. 30 km/h (18 mph) Second gear fixed mode When the shift lever is tapped back ( ) while the vehicle is stopped, the transmission 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. M3→M2 M2→M1 5-18 Form No.8AT5-EA-09E