Modification and Add-OnEquipment
Mazda cannot guarantee the immobilizer
and the theft-deterrent systems' operation
if the system has been modified or if any
add-on equipment has been installed.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the vehicle, do not
modify the system or install any add-on
equipment to the immobilizer and the
theft-deterrent systems or the vehicle.
Immobilizer System
The immobilizer system allows the engine
to start only with a key the system
recognizes.
If someone attempts to start the engine
with an unrecognized key, the engine will
not start, thereby helping to prevent
vehicle theft.
If you have a pr oblem with the
immobilizer system or the key, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Radio equipment like this is governed by
laws in the United States.
Changes or
modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
To avoid damage to the key, do not:
Drop the key.
Get the key wet.
Expose the key to any kind of magnetic
field.
Expose the key to high temperatures
on places such as the dashboard or
hood, under direct sunlight.
If the engine does not start with the
correct key, and the security indicator
light keeps illuminating or flashing, the
system may have a malfunction. Consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Before Driving
Security System
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NOTE
The keys carry a unique electronic code.
For this reason, and to assure your
safety, obtaining a replacement key
requires some waiting time. They are
only available through an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
Always keep a spare key in case one is
lost. If a key is lost, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
If you lose a key, an Authorized Mazda
Dealer will reset the electronic codes of
your remaining keys and immobilizer
system. Bring all the remaining keys to
an Authorized Mazda Dealer to reset.
Starting the vehicle with a key that has
not been reset is not possible.
▼ Operation
NOTE
The engine may not start and security
indicator light may illuminate or flash if
the key is placed in an area where it is
difficult for the system to detect the
signal, such as on the dashboard. Move
the key to a location within the signal
range, switch the ignition off, and then
restart the engine.
Signals from a TV or radio station, or
from a transceiver or mobile telephone
could interfere with your immobilizer
system. If you are using the proper key
and the engine fails to start, check the
security indicator light.
Arming
The system is armed when the ignition is
switched from ON to off.
The security indica tor light in the
instrument cluster flashes every 2 seconds
until the system is disarmed.
Disarming
The system is disarmed when the ignition
is switched ON with the correct
programmed key. The security indicator
light illuminates for about 3 seconds and
then turns off. If the engine does not start
with the correct key, and the security
indicator light remains illuminated or
flashing, try the following:
Make sure the key is within the
operational range for signal transmission.
Switch the ignition off, and then restart the
engine. If the engine does not start after 3
or more tries, contact an Authorized
Mazda Dealer.
NOTE
If the security indicator light flashes
continuously while you are driving, do
not shut off the engine. Go to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer and have it
checked. If the engine is shut off while
the indicator light is flashing, you will
not be able to restart it.
Because the electronic codes are reset
when the immobilizer system is repaired,
the keys are needed. Make sure to bring
all the keys to an Authorized Mazda
Dealer so that they can be programmed.
Before Driving
Security System
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Theft-Deterrent System*
If the theft-deterrent system detects an
inappropriate entry into the vehicle, which
could result in the vehicle or its contents
being stolen, the alarm alerts the
surrounding area of an abnormality by
sounding the horn and flashing the hazard
warning lights.
The system will not function unless it's
properly armed. So when you leave the
vehicle, follow the arming procedure
correctly.
▼ Operation
System triggering conditions
The horn sounds intermittently and the
hazard warning lights flash for about 30
seconds when the sys
tem is triggered by
any one of the following:
Unlocking a door with the auxiliary key,
door lock switch, or an inside door-lock
knob.
Forcing open a door, the hood or the
trunk lid.
Opening the hood by operating the hood
release handle.
Switching the ignition ON without using
the push button start.
If the system is triggered again, the lights
and horn will activate until the driver's
door is unlocked with the transmitter.
(With the advanced keyless function)
The lights and horn can also be
deactivated by pressing the request switch
on a door.
NOTE
The trunk lid does not open while the
theft-deterrent system is operating.
If the battery goes dead while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the horn
will activate and the hazard warning
lights will flash wh en the battery is
charged or replaced.
▼ How to Arm the System
1. Close the windows and the convertible
top securely.
2. Switch the ignition OFF.
3. Make sure the hood, the doors, and the
trunk lid are closed.
4. Press the lock butto n on the transmitter
or lock the driver's door from the
outside with the auxiliary key.
The hazard warning lights will flash
once.
The following method will also arm
the theft-deterrent system:
Press the door-lock switch “
” while
any door is open and then close both of
the doors.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Press a request switch.
The security indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes twice per
second for 20 seconds.
5. After 20 seconds, the system is fully armed.
Before Driving
Security System
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NOTE
The theft-deterrent system can also be
armed by activating the auto relock
function with both the doors, the trunk
lid and the hood closed.
Refer to Transmitter on page 3-4.
The system will disarm if one of the
following operations takes place within
20 seconds after pressing the lock
button:
Unlocking any door.
Opening any door.
Opening the hood.
Switching the ignition ON.
To rearm the system, do the arming
procedure again.
When the doors are locked by pressing
the lock button on the transmitter or
using the auxiliary key while the
theft-deterrent system is armed, the
hazard warning lights will flash once to
indicate that the system is armed.
▼ To Turn Off an Armed System
An armed system can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter.
Starting the engine with the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Pressing a reque
st switch on the
doors.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
NOTE
When the doors are unlocked by pressing
the unlock button on the transmitter while
the theft-deterrent system is turned off, the
hazard warning lights will flash twice to
indicate that the system is turned off.
▼ To S t o p t h e A l a r m
A triggered alarm can be turned off using
any one of the following methods:
Pressing the unlock button or the trunk
button on the transmitter.
Starting the engine with the push button
start.
(With the advanced keyless function)
Pressing a request switch on the
doors.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice.
Before Driving
Security System
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Ignition Switch
▼Push Button Start Positions
The system operates only when the key is
within operational range.
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.
Indicator light
NOTE
The engine starts by pressing the push
button start while depressing the clutch
pedal (manual transmission) or the
brake pedal (automatic transmission).
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 transmission, the selector
lever is in the P position, and the
ignition is in ACC), the ignition switches
off automatically af ter about 25 minutes.
Off
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start
indicator light (amber) also turns off.
WA R N I N G
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 transmission) position or in
1st gear or R (manual transmission):
Leaving the driver's seat without switching
the ignition off, setting the parking brake,
and shifting the selector lever to P
(automatic transmission) position or to 1st
gear or R (manual transmission) 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.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber) illuminates.
NOTE
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.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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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.
After starting a cold engine, the engine
speed increases and a whining sound
from the engine compartment can be
heard.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
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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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