Adjusting to new automatic Mazda 3

[Molly Ball]

I just bought a 2012 Mazda 3i touring. I've driven manuals for about 10 years and this car is an automatic. I've been having a hard time adjusting to the way the automatic shifts gears. It seems to shift to a higher gear too soon (especially 5th) and the engine rattles (the rpm seems too low), especially if I'm keeping a steady speed and not accelerating. Is it possible there's something wrong with the car or is it just going to take some getting used to the fact that the car is deciding when to shift? Other than this issue I love the car!

[pauljr]

I have a 3i auto also. Coming from a manual it may take a while to adjust to the shifting. I'm sure for fuel economy reasons the transmission will shift early if you are driving with a light foot. I had to switch to automatic's for my wife a number of years ago and have to say this is (so far) the best I have experienced. Locks up quick, shifts quick. Have you tried the manual mode?