Mazda 2008 MX-5 Miata Owner's Manual page 166

Mazda 2008 mx-5 miata automobile owner's manual
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MX-5_8X49-EA-07F_Edition2 Page166
Monday, June 25 2007 11:18 AM
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend these shift
points.
Gear
Vehicle speed
M1 to M2
24 km/h (15 mph)
M2 to M3
40 km/h (25 mph)
M3 to M4
53 km/h (33 mph)
M4 to M5
59 km/h (37 mph)
M5 to M6
78 km/h (49 mph)
For cruising
Gear
Vehicle speed
M1 to M2
22 km/h (14 mph)
M2 to M3
27 km/h (17 mph)
M3 to M4
41 km/h (26 mph)
M4 to M5
56 km/h (35 mph)
M5 to M6
64 km/h (40 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift
before the engine starts to overwork. This
gives better acceleration when you need
more speed.
On a steep downgrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
qDriving 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.
5-18
Form No.8X49-EA-07F
Black plate (166,1)
2. Shift to D or M1, depending on the
load weight and grade steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while
gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to
lower gears, depending on load weight
and grade steepness. Descend slowly,
using the brakes only occasionally to
prevent them from overheating.

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