Automatic Transmission Controls; Various Lockouts: - Page 102

Black plate (102,1)

Automatic Transmission Controls

Indicates the shift lever can be shifted freely into any position.

Indicates that you must hold in the lock-release button to shift.

Indicates that you must depress the brake pedal and hold in the lock-
release button to shift (The ignition switch must be in the ON position). 

Various Lockouts: 

q

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.

WARNING

Holding the Vehicle with P:
Only 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.

CAUTION

l

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

l

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

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 4-9).

5-10

Driving Your Mazda

Starting and Driving

MX-5 Miata_8T72-EA-04G_Edition2 Page102
Tuesday, August 31 2004 11:24 AM

Form No.8T72-EA-04G