Driving Your Mazda; Driving Tips; Starting and Driving- Page 88

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Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

And for a smoother ride with less shifting, 
don’t use it when:

•

Going up a steep grade.

•

Driving in stop-and-go traffic.

•

Pulling heavy loads.

To turn off the overdrive, push the 
button.

The transmission will then shift through a 
three-gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st

To turn it on, push the button again.

Shift patterns with overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
2 = 2nd
1 = 1st

O/D OFF indicator light

This light comes on when the overdrive 
has been turned off.

▼

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 1, 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 2 
or 1, depending on load weight and grade 
steepness. Descend slowly, using the 
brakes only occasionally to prevent them 
from overheating.

If the overdrive-off indicator light 
flashes, the transaxle has an electrical 
problem. Continuing to drive your 
Mazda in this condition could cause 
damage to your transaxle. Consult an 
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as 
possible.

CAUTION

J07L(02MY).book  Page 12  Monday, June 11, 2001  4:52 PM