Direct Mode; To Shift Up To A Higher Gear:; To Shift Down To A Lower Gear:- Page 12

Direct Mode

To manually shift gears while in Drive, the steering shift switches may be 
used. After manually shifting, the transmission will return to normal drive 
mode under any of the following conditions:
  •   4 seconds of steady throttle
  •   Accelerator pedal is fully depressed (Wide Open Throttle)
  •   Tachometer reaches redline
  •   Vehicle is stopped or moving at a slow speed

To Shift Up To A Higher Gear:

 • Tap shift lever back (+) once.

  OR

  •  Pull the UP steering  

shift switch.

To Shift Down To A Lower Gear:

 • Tap shift lever forward (-) once.

  OR

 • Push the DOWN steering  
  shift 

switch.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION  
(if equipped)

Sport 

A/T

 Manual Shift Mode

The Sport A/T Manual Shift Mode  
gives you the feel of driving a manual  
transmission by allowing you to manually  
shift to control engine rpm and torque  
when more control is desired.

To Use Manual Shift Mode:

  •  Shift lever from D to M.

NOTE:

 • 

Changing to manual mode can be done while driving the vehicle.

 •  

The transmission will not upshift automatically in manual mode, even if the 

tachometer reaches redline.

11

Transmission

Higher 
Gear

Lower 
Gear

Down

Up

The transmission will automatically adjust how and when it shifts gears  
based on road conditions and your driving style. The transmission may stay  
in a lower gear longer than usual when going up or down hills or driving 
around corners. This feature gives you better control and a more connected 
driving experience.

1667913_15a_Mazda_MX5_SSG_032614.indd   11

3/26/14   10:39 AM