When Driving- Page 149

4–23

When Driving

Transaxle

    For  cruising,  Mazda  recommends  these 
shift points: 

 Gear 

 Vehicle  speed 

 1 to 2 

 13 km/h (8 mph) 

 2 to 3 

 29 km/h (18 mph) 

 3 to 4 

 49 km/h (30 mph) 

 4 to 5 

 63 km/h (39 mph) 

 5 to 6 

 70 km/h (43 mph) 

  Downshifting

    When you must slow down in heavy traffi c 
or on a steep

upgrade

 , downshift before 

the engine starts to overwork. This reduces 
the chance of stalling and gives better 
acceleration when you need more speed.
  On a steep  

downgrade

 ,  downshifting 

helps maintain safe speed and prolongs 
brake life.