Mazda 2009 MX-5 Miata Owner's Manual page 170

Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Shifting specification
Shifting up
If the vehicle speed is lower than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted up to a higher gear.
Gear
Between 0 and 18 km/h
(0 and 11 mph), depending on how
M1→M2
much the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
Between 22 and 32 km/h
M2→M3 (13 and 19 mph), depending on how
M3→M4 much the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
Between 40 and 48 km/h
(25 and 29 mph), depending on how
M4→M5
much the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
Between 50 and 68 km/h
(31 and 42 mph), depending on how
M5→M6
much the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
Shifting down
If the vehicle speed is higher than the
speed specified for each gear, the gear
cannot be shifted to a lower gear so as to
protect the transmission.
Gear
M5→M4 164 km/h (102 mph)
M4→M3 117 km/h (72 mph)
M3→M2 80 km/h (49 mph)
M2→M1 35 km/h (21 mph)
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
Gear
M6→M5 47 km/h (29 mph)
M5→M4 38 km/h (23 mph)
M4→M3 20 km/h (12 mph)
M3→M2 15 km/h (9 mph)
M2→M1 12 km/h (7 mph)
5-18
Vehicle speed
Vehicle speed
Vehicle speed
NOTE
The gear does not shift down to M1
automatically while in the second gear fixed
mode.
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Gear
M6→M5 190 km/h (118 mph)
M6→M4 125 km/h (77 mph)
M5→M4 125 km/h (77 mph)
M5→M3 78 km/h (48 mph)
M4→M3 78 km/h (48 mph)
M4→M2 50 km/h (31 mph)
M3→M2 50 km/h (31 mph)
Recommendations for shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, we recommend these shift
points.
Gear
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
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.
Vehicle speed
Vehicle speed
Vehicle speed