Driving Your Mazda; Transmission Ranges; Starting and Driving- Page 95

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Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

Form No. 8S15-EA-03G

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Transmission Ranges

The shift lever must be in P or N to 
operate the starter.

P (Park) 

P locks the transmission and prevents the 
rear wheels from rotating.

R (Reverse) 

In position R, the vehicle moves only 
backward. You must be at a complete stop 
before shifting to or from R, except under 
rare circumstances as explained in 
Rocking the Vehicle (page 4-7).

N (Neutral) 

In N, the wheels and transmission are not 
locked. The vehicle will roll freely even 
on the slightest incline unless the parking 
brake or brakes are on.

D (Drive) 

D is the normal driving position. From a 
stop, the transmission will automatically 
shift through a 4-gear sequence.

2 (Second) 

The 2 position is helpful when driving in 
heavy, slow-moving traffic and climbing 
hills, for engine braking assist when going 
down hills, or for starting on slick 
surfaces and other situations where gentle 
acceleration may be necessary.
Do not exceed 104 km/h (64 mph) in the 2 
position.

Holding the Vehicle with P:
Setting the shift lever to the P position 
without using the parking brake to 
hold the vehicle is dangerous. If P 
fails to hold, the vehicle could move 
and cause an accident. To hold the 
vehicle, set the shift lever to P AND 
set the parking brake.

•

Shifting into P, N or R while the 
vehicle is moving can damage your 
transmission.

•

Shifting into a driving gear or 
reverse when the engine is running 
faster than idle can damage the 
transmission.

WARNING

CAUTION

Shifting from N or P:
It’s dangerous to shift from N or P 
into a driving gear when the engine is 
running faster than idle. If this is 
done, the vehicle could move 
suddenly, causing an accident or 
serious injury. If the engine is 
running faster than idle, don’t shift 
from N or P into a driving gear.

Shifting into N while Driving:
Shifting into N while driving is 
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be 
applied when decelerating which 
could lead to an accident or serious 
injury. Do not shift into N when 
driving the vehicle.

Do not shift into N when driving the 
vehicle. Doing so can cause 
transmission damage.

WARNING

CAUTION

J07S_8S15-EA-03G_Edition2.book  Page 11  Thursday, August 21, 2003  10:04 AM