Mazda RX8 - Feature Highlights; Automatic Transmission; SPEED MANUAL Transmission

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ThegearshiftmustbeinParkorNeutral
tostarttheengineandmustbeinParkto
removetheignitionkey.
P = Park
  TomovethegearshiftoutofPark,
theignitionmustbeintheON
positionandthebrakepedalmust
bepushedrmly.
R = Reverse
N = Neutral
  Nogearisengaged.
D = Drive (Overdrive)
  Thisisthenormaldrivingposition
forthebestfueleconomy.
Thetransmissionshiftsthrough
forwardgears.
Direct Mode
Usethismodefortemporarilyswitchinggearsviasteeringwheelshift
switcheswiththegearselectorinD.DandMindicatorswillbeilluminated.
Directmodewillbecancelledifthetachometerapproachestheredzone,
theacceleratorisfullydepressed,after4secondsofsteadythrottleorifthe
vehicleisstoppedormovingatslowspeed.
To Shift Up to a Higher Gear:
 • PulltheUPsteering
  shiftswitch.
To Shift Down to a Lower Gear:
 • PushtheDOWNsteering
  shiftswitch.
Feature Highlights
9
10
Sport A/T Manual Shift Mode
TheSportA/TManualShiftModegivesyouthefeelof
drivingamanualtransmissionbyallowingyoutomanually
shifttocontrolenginerpmandtorquewhenmorecontrol
isdesired.
NOTE:
Changingtomanualmodecanbedonewhiledriving 
thevehicle.
To Use Manual Shift Mode:
 • ShifttheleverfromDtoM.
OR
 • PulltheUPsteering
  shiftswitch.
OR
 • PushtheDOWNsteering
  shiftswitch.
To Shift Up to a Higher Gear:
 • Tapshiftleverback(+)once.
To Shift Down to a Lower Gear:
 • Tapshiftleverforward(-)once.
6-SPEED MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
• Pushtheclutchpedalcompletely 
 downtostarttheengineandto
 shiftgears.
• ToplacethetransmissioninReverse,
 placeshifterintheneutralposition,
 pushtheshifterknobdown,moveto
 theleftandpushforward.
Down
Up
Thetransmissionwillautomaticallyadjusthowandwhenitshiftsgears
basedonroadconditionsandyourdrivingstyle.Thetransmissionmaystay
inalowergearlongerthanusualwhengoingupordownhillsordriving
aroundcorners.Thisfeaturegivesyoubettercontrolandamoreconnected
drivingexperience.
Genuine Mazda Accessory Rotary
Gear Shift Knob is available at
your Mazda dealer.
280340_11a_RX-8_SSG_081010.indd 10-11 8/10/10 3:10 PM