2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 106

J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 15 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM Driving Your Mazda Starting and Driving 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 M2→M3 M3→M4 Vehicle speed You can shift up to M2 whether the vehicle is stopped or moving. 20 km/h (12 mph) 20 km/h (12 mph) Recommendations for shifting Upshifting For normal acceleration and cruising, we recommend these shift points. M1 to M2 M2 to M3 M3 to M4 24 km/h (15 mph) 40 km/h (25 mph) 65 km/h (40 mph) 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. Shifting down If the vehicle speed is higher than the speed specified for each gear, the gear cannot be shifted down to a lower gear. Gear M4→M3 M3→M2 M2→M1 Vehicle speed 163 km/h (101 mph) 112 km/h (70 mph) 45 km/h (28 mph) M Driving Tips Passing For extra power when passing another vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress the accelerator fully. The transmission 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 all brakes 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. During deceleration, the gears shift down automatically when speed is reduced to the following: Gear M4→M3 M3 or M2→M1 Vehicle speed 31 km/h (19 mph) 8 km/h (5 mph) NOTE If the vehicle is driven at a low speed from a standing start while in M2, the gear may not shift down to M1 automatically. If the vehicle is kicked down at the following speeds or lower, the gears shift down automatically: Gear M4→M3 M4→M2 M3→M2 Vehicle speed 149 km/h (93 mph) 56 km/h (35 mph) 56 km/h (35 mph) 5-15 Form No. 8R65-EA-03C