2010 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner's Manual - Page 165

Driving Your Mazda Starting and Driving qManual Shift Mode This mode gives you the feel of driving a manual transaxle vehicle by operating the shift lever and allows you to control engine rpm and torque to the front wheels much like a manual transaxle when more control is desired. To change to manual shift mode, shift the lever from D to M. NOTE Changing to manual mode can be done while driving the vehicle with no damage occurring to the transaxle. 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. Shift position indicator D range/gear position indicator NOTE l To return to automatic shift mode, shift the lever from M to D. NOTE l l l If you change to manual shift mode when the vehicle is stopped, the gear will shift to M1. 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. 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. 5-15