Recommendations For Shifting; Climbing Steep Grades From A Stop; Descending Steep Grades; Downshifting - Mazda CX-9 Owner's Manual

CX-9_8BH2-EA-10H_Edition3 Page190
Wednesday, March 23 2011 9:30 AM
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
During deceleration, the gears shift down
automatically when speed is reduced to
the following:
Gear Vehicle speed
M6 → M5
47 km/h (29 mph)
M5 → M4
37 km/h (22 mph)
M4 → M3
26 km/h (16 mph)
M3 or M2 → M1
7 km/h (4 mph)
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 Vehicle speed
M6 → M5
230 km/h (142 mph)
M5 → M4
90 km/h (55 mph)
M4 → M3
65 km/h (40 mph)
M3 → M2
40 km/h (24 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 65 km/h (40 mph)
M4 to M5 73 km/h (45 mph)
M5 to M6 80 km/h (50 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.
5-16
Form No.8BH2-EA-10H
Black plate (190,1)
On a steep downgrade, downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
qDriving Tips
WARNING
Do not allow the vehicle to move in
reverse on an up-slope while the
selector lever is in a forward gear
position, or move forward on a down-
slope while the selector lever is in the
reverse position.
Otherwise, the engine will stop,
causing the loss of the power brake
and power steering functions, and
make it difficult to control the vehicle
which could result in an accident.
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle 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.
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.