2004 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner's Manual - Page 126

Driving Your Mazda Starting and Driving M 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. 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 Shifting from N or P: 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. If the engine is running faster than idle, don't shift from N or P into a driving gear. Shifting into N while Driving: Shifting into N while driving is dangerous. Engine braking cannot be applied when decelerating which could lead to an accident or serious injury. Do not shift into N when driving the vehicle. WARNING Holding the Vehicle with P: 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. To hold the vehicle, set the shift lever to P AND set the parking brake. 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 (page 4-9). CAUTION Do not shift into N when driving the vehicle. Doing so can cause transaxle damage. D (Drive) D is the normal driving position. From a stop, the transaxle will automatically shift through a 4-gear sequence. 5-11