Driving Your Mazda; Manual Transmission Shift ; Manual Transmission - Page 93

5-9

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

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Manual Transmission Shift 
Pattern

The shift pattern of the transmission is 
conventional, as shown.

Press the clutch pedal all the way down 
while shifting; then release it slowly.

(5-speed transmission)

A safety feature prevents accidental 
shifting from 5 to R (reverse). The shift 
lever must be put in neutral before being 
shifted to R.

(6-speed transmission)

Vehicles with 6-speed transmission are 
equipped with a device to prevent shifting 
to R (reverse) by mistake. Apply greater 
than normal force when shifting to R.

Manual Transmission 
Operation

5-speed transmission

6-speed transmission

Neutral position

Neutral position

Sudden Engine-Braking:
Shifting down while driving on wet, 
snowy, or frozen roads, or while 
driving at high speeds causes sudden 
engine braking, which is dangerous. 
The sudden change in tire speed 
could cause the tires to skid. This 
could lead to loss of vehicle control 
and an accident. Do not use sudden 
engine braking on slippery road 
surfaces or at high speeds.

•

Keep your foot off the clutch pedal 
except when shifting gears. Also, 
don’t use the clutch to hold the 
vehicle on an upgrade. Riding the 
clutch will cause needless clutch 
wear and damage.

•

Make sure the vehicle comes to a 
complete stop before shifting to R.
Shifting to R while the vehicle is 
still moving may damage the 
transmission.

NOTE

If shifting to R is difficult, shift into 
neutral, release the clutch pedal, and 
try again.

WARNING

CAUTION

J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book  Page 9  Thursday, August 21, 2003  10:04 AM