Mazda MX-5 Miata Owner's Manual page 176

MX-5_8CC1-EA-11F_Edition2 Page176
Monday, July 18 2011 10:8 AM
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
If the vehicle is kicked down at the
following speeds or lower, the gears shift
down automatically:
Gear Vehicle speed
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 and cruising, 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.
í
5-20
Some models.
Form No.8CC1-EA-11F
Black plate (176,1)
í
qDirect Mode
Direct mode can be used for temporarily
switching gears by operating the steering
shift switch while the vehicle is being
driven with the selector lever in the D
range.
While in direct mode, the D and M
indicator lights illuminate and the gear
position in use is illuminated.
Direct mode is canceled (released) under
the following conditions.
The vehicle is driven at a constant
l
speed.
The needle in the tachometer
l
approaches the red zone.
The vehicle is driven at a constant
l
speed and the accelerator pedal is
heavily depressed.
The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
l
slow speed.
Direct mode indicator
Gear position indicator