You are not seeing clearly...I DO NOT TEXT WHILE DRIVING. I will only want to access the screen while driving to answer the phone, make minor changes to Waze. My mention re reading messages was incorrect.
But you are overbearing in assumptions & in tour expertise in safety.
Please ignore me in any further postings.

 

The owner's manual will confirm any information, like controls, the owner requires.
Naturally the owner will need to read said manual, which is available free online, if for some reason they don't have one.
I'm never certain as to why owners prefer to ask forum members to do the required reading/research instead of doing it themselves.
I and other's here, have a tendency to cut and paste the info from the free online owner's manuals for them.
But I'm beginning to wonder why that is really needed.
I'd be interested in knowing the reason(s) why they ask instead of finding out for themselves.
Do they think it's quicker, can't be bothered to look, read or search, just plain lazy or have issues with reading and comprehension or something entirely different.

 

But those of us with pre 2026 models won't have the hard copy manual to refer to!

Don't use the screen to answer calls [if that's viable on some models], but use the steering wheel button.

 

Some people should feel good that at this time we are not required to take a test on any new vehicle we purchase to use on roads and highways. You know like pilots must test for fly larger more complex planes. I don't think many would pass like estimate less then 1% of owner drivers on the road. So, then you add non factory equipment like heads up display, and the BIG device a CELL PHONE to the mix of dazzling dash and other light displays it is an ingredient for a disaster.

Math is great and I love many aspects of it....
Lets explore basic hypotheticals math and the human brain ..

At 60 mph your vehcle travels 88 feet per second. The reaction time for an unknown event 1.5 seconds. So that mean at 60 mph you would have traveled 132 feet before applying the brakes. Now to stop the average 3700lb vehcle is approx. calculating from 60mpg you see something you react and press the brake pedal you would have traveled approx. 260 +feet. And this is with no distraction like messing around with your heads up display or your CELL PHONE!!!!!!

Then let's think about the speed most travel on Highways if the maximum posted speed limits are 75. No one passes you right and you NEVER drive over the posted speed limits anywhere ? . rolmao.

• Newton's First Law of Motion explains that objects stay still or keep moving unless a force stops them.

 

I think he was asking about someone who has a 26. He doesn't have one himself, or he would know the answer. I would assume the HVAC controls are always active along the bottom of the screen in the 26. IMHO, this is much more dangerous than physical controls as on a 25, one can reach down and adjust "by feel" where as on a screen there is no feel, you have to look to know what you are doing. It could be that on the 26 you can also verbally ask the car to change the temp or turn on the defrost setting.

 

it really sad and finny what is not allowed in a commercial airliner yet allowed in a passenger vehicle that those driving have little training on how to drive let alone any training how to drive and operate a new vehicle they drive!


Passenger airliners do not use voice command controls to fly a plane primarily due to safety and operational considerations. The use of voice commands can lead to potential conflicts and chaos in the cockpit, as it may distract pilots and interfere with their ability to follow safety instructions. Additionally, the FAA and FCC have regulations that prohibit the use of cell phones and other electronic devices during flights to ensure passenger safety and maintain a calm environment.

 

As I previously stated, the 2026 owner's manual is available free online from Mazda.
Not sure why he doesn't just go there.
It does indicate the 2026 does have voice activated controls for just about everything, including HVAC.
No need to use the touch screen when driving.

 

You should be able to answer the phone w/ the steering wheel button. You should be able to make changes to Waze through the audio assistant, also accessible through a steering wheel button.

 

My 2023 has a physical owner's manual.

 

I cannot find a "audio assist" on the steering wheel. Can you send a picture? My CX5 is a 2025,