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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 (page 4-26).
NOTE
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 indi cate an abnormality.
Starting the Engine
WA R N I N G
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 w ill affect the device.
NOTE
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 Authorized Mazda
Dealer 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 on page 4-8.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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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 any
parts defect.
Engine-starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system.
This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
Standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
1. Make sure you are carrying the key.
2. Occupants should fasten their seat belts.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on.
4. Continue to press the brake pedal firmly until the engine has completely
started.
5. (Manual transmission)
Continue to press the clutch pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started.
(Automatic transmission)
Put the vehicle in park (P). If you must
restart the engine while the vehicle is
moving, shift into neutral (N).
NOTE
(Manual transmission)
The starter will not operate if the
clutch pedal is not depressed
sufficiently.
(Automatic transmission)
The starter will not operate if the
selector lever is not in P or N and the
brake pedal is not depressed
sufficiently.
6. Verify that the KEY indicator light
(green) in the instr ument cluster and
the push button start indicator light
(green) illuminate.
Indicator light
Push button start
KEY indicator light
(green)/ KEY
warning light (red)
NOTE
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
on page 4-8.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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CAUTION
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. This may
prevent the engine from starting or
from switching the ignition to ACC or
ON. Have your vehicle inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
NOTE
Under the following conditions, the
KEY warning light (red) flashes after
the push button start is pressed. This
informs 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 (page 3-7).
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 Authorized Mazda Dealer 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 transmission) or the brake
pedal (automatic transmission) 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 transmission)
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.
7. 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.
NOTE
After starting the engine, the push
button start indicator light (amber)
turns off and the ignition switches to
the ON position.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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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.
8. After starting the engine, let it idle for about ten seconds.
NOTE
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
Authorized Mazda Dealer (page 7-
26).
▼Engine Start Fun
ction When Key
Battery is Dead
CAUTION
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:
1. Continue to depress the brake pedal firmly until th e engine has completely
started.
2. (Manual transmission)
Continue to depress the clutch pedal
firmly until th e engine has completely
started.
3. Verify that the push button start indication light (green) flashes.
4. Touch the push button start using the
backside of the key (as shown) while
the push button start indicator light
(green) flashes.
Transmitter
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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NOTE
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.
5. Verify that the push button start
indicator light (green) turns on.
6. Press the push button start to start the engine.
NOTE
The engine cannot be started unless
the clutch pedal is fully depressed
(manual transmission) or the brake
pedal is fully depressed (automatic
transmission).
If there is a malfunction with the
push button start function, the push
button start indica tor light (amber)
flashes. In this case, the engine may
start, however, have the vehicle
checked at an Authorized Mazda
Dealer 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 Authorized Mazda Dealer.
To switch the ignition position
without starting the engine, perform
the following operations after the
push button start indicator light
(green) turns on.
1. Release the clutch pedal (manual
transmission) or brake pedal
(automatic transmission).
2. Press the push button start toswitch 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.
▼Emergency Operation for Starting
the Engine
If the KEY warning light
(red) illuminates,
or the push button st art indicator light
(amber) flashes, this could indicate that
the engine may not start using the usual
starting method. Have your vehicle
inspected at an Authorized Mazda Dealer
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
transmission) or the brake pedal
(automatic transmission) are required.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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Turning the Engine Off
WA R N I N G
Do not stop the engine while the vehicle is
moving:
Stopping the engine while the vehicle is
moving for any reason other than in an
emergency is dangerous. Stopping the
engine while the vehicle is moving will
result in reduced braking ability due to the
loss of power braking, which could cause
an accident and serious injury.
1. Stop the vehicle completely.
2.(Manual transmission)
Shift into neutral an d set the parking
brake.
(Automatic transmission)
Shift the selector lever to the P
position and set the parking brake.
3. Press the push button start to turn off
the engine. The ignition position is off.
CAUTION
When leaving the vehicle, make sure the
push button start is off.
NOTE
The cooling fan in the engine
compartment could turn on for a few
minutes after the i gnition is switched
from ON to OFF, whether or not the A/C
is on or off, to cool the engine
compartment quickly.
When the push button start is pressed
from ON to ACC or OFF, the KEY
indicator light (green) may flash for
approximately 30 seconds indicating
that the remaining battery power of the
key is low.
Replace with a new battery before the
key becomes unusable.
Refer to Key Battery Replacement on
page 6-33.
(Automatic transmission)
If the engine is turned off while the
selector lever is in a position other than
P, the ignition switches to ACC.
▼ Emergency Engine Stop
Continuously pressing the push button
start or quickly pressi
ng it any number of
times while the engin e is running or the
vehicle is being drive n will turn the engine
off immediately. The ignition switches to
ACC.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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Meters and Gauges
Type A
Type B
Steering Switch (With Multi-information Display)
(Without Multi-information Display)
Instrument Cluster
ƒ
Speedometer.......................................................................................................... page 4-12
„ Odometer, Trip Meter and Tri p Meter Selector.................................................... page 4-12
… Tachometer............................................................................................................ page 4-1 3
† Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge............................... ...................................... page 4-13
‡ Fuel Gauge............................................................................................................ page 4-1 4
ˆ Dashboard Illumination.........................................................................................page 4-14
‰ Outside Temperature Display.................................... ............................................ page 4-15
Š Cruise Control Set Vehicle Speed Display....................... ..................................... page 4-16
‹ Trip Computer and INFO Switch.................................. ........................................ page 4-16
Œ Multi-information Display and INFO Switch...................... ................................. page 4-18
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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▼Speedometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of the
vehicle.
▼Odometer, Trip Meter and Trip
Meter Selector (Without
Multi-information Display)
The display mode can be changed from
odometer to trip meter A to trip meter B
and then back to odometer by pressing the
selector while one of them is displayed.
The selected mode will be displayed.
Press the selector Press the selector
Press the selector
Odometer
Trip meter A
Trip meter B
Selector
NOTE
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
off, the odometer or trip meters cannot be
displayed, however, pressing the selector
can inadvertently switch the trip meters or
reset them during an approximate
ten-minute period in the following cases:
After the ignition is
switched to off from
ON.
After the driver's door is opened.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Tr i p m e t e r
The trip meter can record the total distance
of two trips. One is r ecorded in trip meter
A, and the other is re corded in trip meter
B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is s elected, pressing the
selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. Wh en trip meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to “0.0” by
depressing and holding the selector for one
second or more. Use this meter to measure
trip distances and to compute fuel
consumption.
When Driving
Instrument Cluster and Display
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