2000 626

I know this is a Miata group, but there is no general for Mazda.

My wife drives a 2000 626 and I was wondering if there is a light that illuminates the
gears by the shifter?

I drove it the other day and noticed that there is no way to see what gear you are in
when it is dark and she can not remember if there was one.

Look on the dash board to see if it is up there. That is where our 2002
Honda has it.

Bruce Bing '03 LS

Is it an automatic? If so, there should be a light under the panel by
the shifter (in most cases) and/or a set of indicators in the dash
console, like Bruce said.

If it's a stick...well, part of learning stick is learning to know what
gear you're in. If you can't remember, you should be able to feel by
position.

Another trick, if it *is* an auto and *doesn't* have any indicator...

Try this in your driveway with the foot on the brake...see where in the
shift pattern you can shift to and from without pressing the button.
In most cars these spots are:
R to N
N to Do
Do to N
D3 to Do
D2 to D3 and
L to D2.

Translate those gears as necessary...but you get the idea. This means,
among other things, that if you back out of a parking spot, you can get
going quickly just by throwing the shifter back...no need to stop, look
at the shifter, push the button, and carefully place the car in gear.
But, if you're lost on gear in the dark, you can try pushing the
shifter around to get a better idea...usually this forgetfullness will
happen on the highway or in other situations where being in neutral for
a moment won't hurt you...but I don't take responsibility if you guys
end up rolling backwards down a hill!

Hope I could help

Cheers,
-r0ll


(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> I know this is a Miata group, but there is no general for Mazda.
>
> My wife drives a 2000 626 and I was wondering if there is a light that illuminates the
> gears by the shifter?
>
> I drove it the other day and noticed that there is no way to see what gear you are in
> when it is dark and she can not remember if there was one.

It's an automatic. Does not apear to have any indicators in the dash so I am guessing
there is a light by the shifter. Any thoughts on how to replace this?

"r0lliSl1fe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com

> Is it an automatic? If so, there should be a light under the panel by
> the shifter (in most cases) and/or a set of indicators in the dash
> console, like Bruce said.
>
> If it's a stick...well, part of learning stick is learning to know what
> gear you're in. If you can't remember, you should be able to feel by
> position.
>
> Another trick, if it *is* an auto and *doesn't* have any indicator...
>
> Try this in your driveway with the foot on the brake...see where in the
> shift pattern you can shift to and from without pressing the button.
> In most cars these spots are:
> R to N
> N to Do
> Do to N
> D3 to Do
> D2 to D3 and
> L to D2.
>
> Translate those gears as necessary...but you get the idea. This means,
> among other things, that if you back out of a parking spot, you can get
> going quickly just by throwing the shifter back...no need to stop, look
> at the shifter, push the button, and carefully place the car in gear.
> But, if you're lost on gear in the dark, you can try pushing the
> shifter around to get a better idea...usually this forgetfullness will
> happen on the highway or in other situations where being in neutral for
> a moment won't hurt you...but I don't take responsibility if you guys
> end up rolling backwards down a hill!
>
> Hope I could help
>
> Cheers,
> -r0ll
>
>
> (E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> > I know this is a Miata group, but there is no general for Mazda.
> >
> > My wife drives a 2000 626 and I was wondering if there is a light that illuminates
the
> > gears by the shifter?
> >
> > I drove it the other day and noticed that there is no way to see what gear you are in
> > when it is dark and she can not remember if there was one.