Mazda 2008 RX-8 Owner's Manual page 141

Indicators
Shift position indicator
In manual shift mode, the M of the shift
position indicator in the instrument panel
illuminates.
Gear position indicator
The numeral for the selected gear
illuminates.
Gear position
indicator
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down when
l
driving at higher speeds, the gear position
indicator will flash twice to signal that the
gears cannot be shifted down.
If the automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
l
temperature becomes too high, there is the
possibility that the transmission will switch
to automatic shift mode, canceling manual
shift mode and turning off the gear position
indicator illumination. This is a normal
function to protect the AT. After the ATF
temperature has decreased, the gear
position indicator illumination turns back
on and driving in manual shift mode is
restored.
Shifting
You can shift gears up and down by
operating the shift lever or the steering
shift switches.
Shift position
indicator
Starting and Driving
NOTE
If the steering shift switches on both sides
l
(left and right) are operated simultaneously,
the gear will shift once.
The gear will not shift if:
l
The steering shift switch and the shift
l
lever are operated simultaneously.
The UP switch and DOWN switch are
l
operated simultaneously.
Manually Shifting up
(M1→M2→M3→M4→M5→M6)
To shift up to a higher gear, tap the shift
lever back ( ) once.
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, tap either of the
UP switches toward you once with your
fingers.
UP switches
Driving Your Mazda
5-15