The system operates only when the driver is in the vehicle or within operational range while the key is being carried.
Each time the push button start is pressed, the ignition switches in the order of off, ACC, and ON. Pressing the push button start again from ON switches the ignition off.
The engine starts by pressing the push button start while depressing the clutch pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal (automatic transaxle). To switch the ignition position, press the push button start without depressing the pedal.
Do not leave the ignition switched ON while the engine is not running. Doing so could result in the battery going dead. If the ignition is left in ACC (For automatic transaxle, the selector lever is in the P position, and the ignition is in ACC), the ignition switches off automatically after about 25 minutes.
Off
The power supply to electrical devices turns off and the push button start indicator light (amber) also turns off.
In this position the steering wheel is locked.
Before leaving the driver's seat, always switch the ignition off, set the parking brake, and make sure the selector lever is in P (automatic transaxle) or in 1st gear or R (manual transaxle):
Leaving the driver's seat without switching the ignition off, setting the parking brake, and shifting the selector lever to P (automatic transaxle) or to 1st gear or R (manual transaxle) is dangerous. Unexpected vehicle movement could occur which could result in an accident.
In addition, if your intention is to leave the vehicle for even a short period, it is important to switch the ignition off, as leaving it in another position will disable some of the vehicle's security systems and run the battery down.
(Locked steering wheel)
If the push button start indicator light (green) is flashing and the beep sound is heard, this indicates that the steering wheel is not unlocked. To unlock the steering wheel, press the push button start while moving the steering wheel left and right.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
In this position the steering wheel is unlocked.
The keyless entry system does not function while the push button start has been pressed to ACC, and the doors will not lock/unlock even if they have been locked manually.
ON
This is the normal running position after the engine is started. The indicator light (amber) turns off. (The indicator light (amber) illuminates when the ignition is switched ON and the engine is not running.)
Some indicator lights/warning lights should be inspected before the engine is started (Search).
(SKYACTIV-G 2.0)
When the push button start is pressed to ON, the sound of the fuel pump motor operating near the fuel tank can be heard. This does not indicate an abnormality.
Radio waves from the key may affect medical devices such as pacemakers:
Before using the key near people who use medical devices, ask the medical device manufacturer or your physician if radio waves from the key will affect the device.
The key must be carried because the key carries an immobilizer chip that must communicate with the engine controls at short range.
The engine can be started when the push button start is pressed from off, ACC, or ON.
The push button start system functions (function which can start the engine by only carrying the key) can be deactivated to prevent any possible adverse effect on a user wearing a pacemaker or other medical device. If the system is deactivated, you will be unable to start the engine by carrying the key. Consult an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer for details. If the push button start system functions have been deactivated, you can start the engine by following the procedure indicated when the key battery goes dead.
Refer to Engine Start Function When Key Battery is Dead (Search).
After starting a cold engine, the engine speed increases and a whining sound from the engine compartment can be heard.
This is for improved exhaust gas purification and does not indicate defect of the parts.
(Manual transaxle)
(Automatic transaxle)
Make sure you are carrying the key.
Occupants should fasten their seat belts.
Make sure the parking brake is on.
Continue to press the brake pedal firmly until the engine has completely started.
(Manual transaxle)
Continue to press the clutch pedal firmly until the engine has completely started.
(Automatic transaxle)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, shift into neutral (N).
(Manual transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not depressed sufficiently.
(Automatic transaxle)
The starter will not operate if the selector lever is not in P or N and the brake pedal is not depressed sufficiently.
Verify that the KEY indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster and the push button start indicator light (green) illuminate.
If the push button start indicator light (green) flashes, make sure that the key is being carried.
If the push button start indicator light (green) flashes with the key being carried, touch the key to the push button start and start the engine. Refer to Engine Start Function When Key Battery is Dead (Search).
If the KEY warning light (red) illuminates, or the push button start indicator light (amber) flashes, this could indicate a problem with the engine starting system and the inability to start the engine or switch the ignition to ACC or ON. Have your vehicle inspected at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer as soon as possible.
Under the following conditions, the KEY warning light (red) flashes after the push button start is pressed to inform the driver that the push button start will not switch to ACC even if it is pressed from off.
The key battery is dead.
The key is out of operational range.
The key is placed in areas where it is difficult for the system to detect the signal (Search).
A key from another manufacturer similar to the key is in the operational range.
(Forced engine starting method)
If the KEY warning light (red) illuminates, or the push button start indicator light (amber) flashes, this could indicate that the engine may not start using the usual starting method. Have your vehicle inspected at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer as soon as possible. If this occurs, the engine can be force-started. Press and hold the push button start until the engine starts. Other procedures necessary for starting the engine such as having the key in the cabin, and depressing the clutch pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal (automatic transaxle) are required.
When the engine is force-started, the KEY warning light (red) remains illuminated and the push button start indicator light (amber) remains flashing.
(Automatic transaxle)
When the selector lever is in the neutral (N) position, the KEY indicator light (green) and the push button start indicator light (green) do not illuminate.
Press the push button start after both the KEY indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster and the push button start indicator light (green) illuminate.
After starting the engine, the push button start indicator light (amber) turns off and the ignition switches to the ON position.
(SKYACTIV-G 2.0)
After pressing the push button start and before the engine starts, the operation sound of the fuel pump motor from near the fuel tank can be heard, however, this does not indicate a malfunction.
(SKYACTIV-D 1.5)
When starting the engine, do not release the clutch pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal (automatic transaxle) until the glow indicator light in the instrument cluster turns off and the engine starts, after pressing the push button start.
If the clutch pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal (automatic transaxle) is released before the engine starts, depress the clutch pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal (automatic transaxle) again and press the push button start to start the engine.
If the ignition is left switched ON for a long period of time without the engine running after the glow plugs are warmed up, the glow plugs may warm up again which will illuminate the glow indicator light.
The starter does not rotate until the glow indicator light turns off.
After starting the engine, let it idle for about ten seconds (Prohibited in Germany).
(Germany)
Drive immediately after starting the engine. However do not use high engine speeds until reaching the operating temperature.
(SKYACTIV-G 2.0)
Whether the engine is cold or warm, it should be started without the use of the accelerator.
If the engine does not start the first time, refer to Starting a Flooded Engine under Emergency Starting. If the engine still does not start, have your vehicle inspected by an Authorised Mazda Repairer (Search).
(SKYACTIV-D 1.5)
If the ambient temperature is lower than about - 10 °C (14 °F), the maximum engine speed may not be attained for about three minutes after the engine starts to protect the engine.
(Manual transaxle vehicle with i-stop function)
If the engine has stopped due to stalling, it can be restarted by depressing the clutch pedal within 3 seconds of the engine stopping.
The engine cannot be restarted even if the clutch pedal is depressed under the following conditions:
The driver's door is open.
The driver's seat belt is unfastened.
The clutch pedal is not released completely after the engine stalled.
The clutch pedal is depressed with the engine not stopped completely.
When starting the engine by holding the transmitter over the push button start due to a dead key battery or a malfunctioning key, be careful not to allow the following, otherwise the signal from the key will not be received correctly and the engine may not start.
Metal parts of other keys or metal objects touch the key.
Spare keys or keys for other vehicles equipped with an immobilizer system touch or come near the key.
Devices for electronic purchases, or security passage touch or come near the key.
If the engine cannot be started due to a dead key battery, the engine can be started using the following procedure:
Continue to depress the brake pedal firmly until the engine has completely started.
(Manual transaxle)
Continue to depress the clutch pedal firmly until the engine has completely started.
Verify that the push button start indication light (green) flashes.
The push button start indicator light (green) will flash even if the push button start is pressed before depressing the brake pedal (automatic transaxle) or the clutch pedal (manual transaxle). If the clutch pedal is depressed (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal is depressed (automatic transaxle) under this condition, the engine can be started by resuming the procedure following this.
Touch the push button start using the backside of the key (as shown) while the push button start indicator light (green) flashes.
When touching the push button start using the backside of the key as shown in the illustration, touch the push button start with the lock switch side of the key facing up.
Verify that the push button start indicator light (green) turns on.
Press the push button start to start the engine.
The engine cannot be started unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal is fully depressed (automatic transaxle).
If there is a malfunction with the push button start function, the push button start indicator light (amber) flashes. In this case, the engine may start, however, have the vehicle checked at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer as soon as possible.
If the push button start indicator light (green) does not illuminate, perform the operation from the beginning again. If it does not illuminate, have the vehicle checked at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.
To switch the ignition position without starting the engine, perform the following operations after the push button start indicator light (green) turns on.
Release the clutch pedal (manual transaxle) or brake pedal (automatic transaxle).
Press the push button start to switch the ignition position. The ignition switches in the order of ACC, ON, and off each time the push button start is pressed. To switch the ignition position again, perform the operation from the beginning.
If the KEY warning light (red) illuminates, or the push button start indicator light (amber) flashes, this could indicate that the engine may not start using the usual starting method. Have your vehicle inspected at an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer as soon as possible. If this occurs, the engine can be force-started. Press and hold the push button start until the engine starts. Other procedures necessary for starting the engine such as having the key in the cabin, and depressing the clutch pedal (manual transaxle) or the brake pedal (automatic transaxle) are required.