i-stop

The i-stop function automatically stops the engine when the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or stuck in traffic, and then restarts the engine automatically to resume driving. The system provides improved fuel economy, reduced exhaust gas emissions, and eliminates idling noise while the engine is stopped.

Engine idle stopping and restarting

 


  • The i-stop indicator light (green) turns on under the following conditions:

    • When engine idling is stopped.

    • (Except European model)

      Engine idling stop conditions are met while the vehicle is being driven.

  • The i-stop indicator light (green) turns off when the engine is restarted.

Close Note

Manual transaxle

  1. Stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal and then the clutch pedal.

  2. While depressing the clutch pedal, shift the shift lever to the neutral position. Engine idling stops after the clutch pedal is released.

  3. The engine restarts automatically when the clutch pedal is depressed.

Automatic transaxle

  1. Engine idling stops when the brake pedal is depressed while the vehicle is driven (except for driving in the R or M position second gear fixed mode) and the vehicle is stopped.

  2. The engine restarts automatically when the brake pedal is released with the selector lever in the D or M position (not in second gear fixed mode).

  3. If the selector lever is in the N or P position, the engine does not restart when the brake pedal is released. The engine restarts when the brake pedal is depressed again or the selector lever is shifted to the D, M (not in second gear fixed mode) or the R position. (For the purposes of safety, always keep the brake pedal depressed when shifting the selector lever while engine idling is stopped.)

Operation conditions

When the system is operable

Under the following conditions, engine idling stops and the i-stop indicator light (green) turns on.

  • (SKYACTIV-G 2.0, SKYACTIV-G 2.5)

    The engine is warmed up.

  • (SKYACTIV-D 2.2)

    • The engine is not cold.

    • The fuel injection amount learning, which is performed periodically and automatically, is not being performed.

  • The engine has been started and the vehicle is driven for a certain period.

  • The engine is started with the bonnet closed.

  • The battery is in good condition.

  • All doors, liftgate/boot lid, and bonnet are closed.

  • The driver's seat belt is fastened.

  • The air conditioner is not operating with the airflow mode in .

  • (Automatic air-conditioning)

    • The temperature setting dial for the air conditioning is set to a position other than maximum cooling (A/C ON).

    • The vehicle's interior temperature and the set temperature for the air conditioner are nearly the same.

  • The i-stop warning light (amber) is not turned on/flashing.

  • The keyless entry & push button start system functions are normal.

  • The brake vacuum is sufficiently high.

  • The steering wheel is not being operated.

  • (Manual transaxle)

    • The vehicle speed is 3 km/h (1.8 mph) or less.

    • The shift lever is in the neutral position.

    • The clutch pedal is not depressed.

  • (Automatic transaxle)

    • The vehicle is stopped.

    • The selector lever is in the D or M position (not in second gear fixed mode).

    • The automatic transaxle fluid has warmed up sufficiently.

    • The automatic transaxle fluid temperature is not abnormally high.

    • The steering wheel is almost in the straight-ahead position (idling may not stop even with the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position if force is applied to the steering wheel. Release the force applied to the steering wheel to stop engine idling).

    • The vehicle is stopped by depressing the brake pedal.

    • Emergency braking is not applied.

When the system is not operable

Engine idling does not stop in the following conditions:

  • The vehicle is stopped but the engine is kept idling.

  • The air-conditioner is operating with the airflow mode in .

  • (Automatic air-conditioning)

    • The temperature setting dial for the air conditioning is set to the maximum cooling (A/C ON) position.

    • There is a large difference between the cabin temperature and the set temperature of the air-conditioner.

  • The ambient temperature is extremely high or low.

  • The atmospheric pressure is low (when driving at high altitudes).

  • (Automatic transaxle)

    • The vehicle is stopped on a steep incline.

    • The steering wheel is not in the straight-ahead position while the vehicle is stopped.

  • (SKYACTIV-D 2.2)

    The particulate matter (PM) is being removed by the diesel particulate filter (DPF).

 


Under the following conditions, a period of time is required to stop engine idling

  • The battery power is depleted for some reasons such as the vehicle has not been driven for a long period.

  • The ambient temperature is high or low.

  • After the battery terminals are disconnected for some reasons such as for battery replacement.

  • (SKYACTIV-D 2.2)

    After PM removal is performed by the diesel particulate filter (DPF).

 

Engine does not restart

If the following operations are performed while the idling is stopped, the engine will not restart for safety reasons. In such cases, start the engine using the normal method.

  • The bonnet is opened.

  • (European model)

    The driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened.

  • (Except European model)

    • (Manual transaxle)

      With the shift lever in a position other than neutral, the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened.

    • (Automatic transaxle)

      With the selector lever in the D or M (not in second gear fixed mode), the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened.

 

Engine-stop period is short or time until next engine idle stop is long

  • The ambient temperature is high or low.

  • The battery power is depleted.

  • Power consumption by the vehicle's electrical parts is high.

Close Note

 

Engine restarts automatically while engine idling is stopped

Under the following conditions, the engine restarts automatically.

  • The i-stop OFF switch is pressed until the beep sounds.

  • The air-conditioner is operated with the airflow mode in .

  • (Automatic air-conditioning)

    • The temperature setting dial of the air-conditioner is set to maximum cooling (A/C ON).

    • The cabin temperature is largely different from the set temperature of the air-conditioner.

  • The brakes are released slightly on a slope and the vehicle begins to move.

  • Two minutes have elapsed since the idling was stopped.

  • The battery power is depleted.

  • (Automatic transaxle)

    • The accelerator pedal is depressed with the selector lever in the D or M (not in second gear fixed mode) position.

    • The selector lever is shifted to the R position.

    • The selector lever is shifted from N or P position to D or M (not in second gear fixed mode) position.

    • The steering wheel is operated with the selector lever in the D or M (not in second gear fixed mode) position.

    • The selector lever is in the M position and the second gear fixed mode is selected.

  • (Except European model)

    • (Manual transaxle)

      With the shift lever in the neutral position, the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened.

    • (Automatic transaxle)

      With the selector lever in the N or P position, the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened.

 

Selector lever is operated while engine idling is stopped (automatic transaxle)

If the selector lever is shifted from D or M (not in second gear fixed mode) position to N or P position while engine idling is stopped, the engine does not restart even when the brake pedal is released. The engine will restart if the brake pedal is depressed again or the selector lever is shifted to the D, M (not in second gear fixed mode), or R position. (For the purposes of safety, always keep the brake pedal depressed when shifting the selector lever while engine idling is stopped.)

  • (European model)

    If the selector lever is shifted from the D or M (not in second gear fixed mode) position to the N or P position, and the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened, the engine does not restart. Start the engine using the normal method.

  • (Except European model)

    If the selector lever is shifted from the D or M (not in second gear fixed mode) to the N or P position, and the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened, the engine restarts.

Battery terminals are disconnected

Engine idling may not stop right after the battery terminals are disconnected. In addition, if the battery is replaced, the i-stop functions must be verified. Consult an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer.

i-stop OFF Switch

By pressing the switch until a beep sounds, the i-stop function is turned off and the i-stop warning light (amber) in the instrument cluster turns on. By pressing the switch again until the beep sounds, the i-stop function becomes operational and the i-stop warning light (amber) turns off.

 


If the engine is stopped with the i-stop function cancelled, the i-stop function becomes operational when the engine is started the next time.

Close Note

Vehicle Roll Prevention Function (Automatic transaxle)

Vehicles with i-stop are equipped with a vehicle roll prevention function. This function prevents the vehicle from rolling, such as when releasing the brake pedal while on a slope under the following conditions:

  • During idling stop (prevents the vehicle from rolling back)

  • When starting from a stop (prevents the vehicle's sudden movement due to vehicle creep)

    The braking force is maintained automatically when the brake pedal is released and the engine is restarted.

 

 


The vehicle roll prevention function is a supplementary function which operates for a maximum of four seconds after releasing the brake pedal when starting the vehicle after the vehicle is stopped with the i-stop function operating:

  • Over reliance on the system may result in an unexpected accident if the vehicle were to suddenly accelerate. Before starting to drive the vehicle, always confirm the safety of the surroundings and operate the selector lever, brake pedal, and accelerator pedal appropriately.

  • The vehicle could roll unexpectedly depending on the vehicle's load or if it is towing something. Note that the vehicle may move suddenly after the vehicle roll prevention function is released while the vehicle is under the following conditions:

    (The selector lever is in the N position.)

    If the selector lever is shifted to the N position and the brake pedal is released while the i-stop function is operating, the brake force is gradually released. To accelerate the vehicle, release the brake pedal after the engine restarts and shift the selector lever to a position other than the N position.

Close Warning

 


  • When the vehicle is stopped on a steep grade, the vehicle roll prevention function does not operate because the idling stop does not operate.

  • The brake pedal response may change, sound may occur from the brakes, or the brake pedal could vibrate from the operation of the vehicle roll prevention function. However, this does not indicate a malfunction.

Close Note

i-stop Warning Light, Beep

If a system malfunction occurs or system operation precautions are necessary, the driver is notified by the warning beep and warning light in the instrument cluster.

Warning light/beep

Verification

The warning beep sounds, and the i-stop warning light (amber) and other warning lights illuminate while the i-stop function is operating.

Check whether the bonnet is open, the driver's seat belt is unfastened, or the driver's door is open. If this is the case, the engine will not automatically restart for safety reasons. Start the engine using the normal method.

The i-stop warning light (amber) flashes.

The i-stop system may have some kind of malfunction. Have your vehicle inspected by an expert repairer, we recommend an Authorised Mazda Repairer as soon as possible.

The i-stop indicator light (green) flashes twice per second while the i-stop function is operating.

(Manual transaxle )

Check whether the shift lever is in the neutral position.

(European model)

The warning beep sounds, and the i-stop indicator light (green) flashes twice per second while the i-stop function is operating.

Check whether the driver's door is closed.

(Except European model)

The warning beep sounds and the i-stop indicator light (green) illuminates while i-stop is operating.