Mazda 2012 MX-5 Owner's Manual page 174

NOTE
If you change to manual shift mode when
l
the vehicle is stopped, the gear will shift to
M1.
If you change to manual shift mode without
l
depressing the accelerator pedal when
driving in D range, 5th gear, the gear will
shift to M4.
If you change to manual shift mode without
l
depressing the accelerator pedal when
driving in D range, 6th gear, the gear will
shift to M5.
Indicators
Manual shift mode 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.
NOTE
If the gears cannot be shifted down when
driving at higher speeds, the gear position
indicator will flash twice to signal that the
gears cannot be shifted down (to protect the
transmission).
Shift position
indicator
Gear position
indicator
Starting and Driving
Shifting
You can shift gears up and down by
operating the shift lever or the steering
shift switches.
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 the UP switch and
l
DOWN switch are 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
5-17