Ignition Switch
▼Push Button Start Positions
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.
Push button start Indicator light
NOTE
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.
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 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.
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.
ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The indicator light
(amber) turns off. (The indicator light
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-4
CX-3_8JL1-EA-20G_Edition1_old 2020-5-22 15:31:00
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 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).
NOTE
(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.
6. Verify that the KEY indicator light (green) in the inst rument cluster and
the push button start indicator light
(green) illuminate.
Indicator light
Push button start
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
4-6
CX-3_8JL1-EA-20G_Edition1_old 2020-5-22 15:31:00
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 3-8).
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 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.
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
4-7
CX-3_8JL1-EA-20G_Edition1_old 2020-5-22 15:31:00
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
7-20).
▼Engine Start Function 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 the en gine has completely
started.
2. (Manual transaxle)
Continue to depress the clutch pedal
firmly until the en gine has completely
started.
3. Make sure that the push button start
indication light (green) flashes.
4. Align the center area of the emblem on the transmitter with the center area of
the push button st art while the push
button start indicator light (green)
flashes.
Indicator light
Push button start
Key
Emblem
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-8
CX-3_8JL1-EA-20G_Edition1_old
2020-5-22 15:31:00
5. Make sure that the push button startindicator 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 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 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
transaxle) or brake pedal
(automatic transaxle).
2. 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 igni tion 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 start indicator light
(amber) flashes, this could indicate that
the engine may not start using the usual
starting method. Ha
ve 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
transaxle) or the brake pedal (automatic
transaxle) are required.
When Driving
Start/Stop Engine
4-9
CX-3_8JL1-EA-20G_Edition1_old 2020-5-22 15:31:00
Manual Transaxle ShiftPattern
Neutral position
The shift pattern of the transaxle is
conventional, as shown.
Depress the clutch pedal all the way down
while shifting ; then release it slowly.
Your vehicle is equipped with a device to
prevent shifting to R (reverse) by mistake.
Push the shift lever downward and shift to
R.
WARNING
Do not use sudden engine braking on
slippery road surfaces or at high speeds:
Shifting down while driving on wet, snowy,
or frozen roads, or while driving at high
speeds causes sudden engine braking,
which is dangerous. The sudden change in
tire speed could cause the tires to skid. This
could lead to loss of vehicle control and an
accident.
Always leave the shift lever in 1 or R
position and set the parking brake when
leaving the vehicle unattended:
Otherwise the vehicle could move and
cause an accident.
CAUTION
Keep your foot off the clutch pedal except
when shifting gears. Also, do not use the
clutch to hold the vehicle on an upgrade.
Riding the clutch will cause needless
clutch wear and damage.
Do not apply any excessive lateral force
to the shift lever when changing from
5th to 4th gear. This could lead to the
accidental selection of 2nd gear, which
could result in damage to the transaxle.
Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to R.
Shifting to R while the vehicle is still
moving may damage the transaxle.
NOTE
If shifting to R is di fficult, shift back into
neutral, release the clutch pedal, and try
again.
▼ Gear Shift Indicator (GSI)
The GSI supports you to obtain optimum
fuel economy and smooth driving. It
displays the selected gear position in the
instrument cluster as well as notifies the
When Driving
Manual Transaxle Operation
4-27
CX-3_8JL1-EA-20G_Edition1_old
2020-5-22 15:31:00
driver to change to the most suitable gear
position corresponding to the actual
driving condition.
Selected gear position Suitable gear position
IndicationCondition
Numeral The selected gear position is dis
‐
played.
and numeral Shift up or down to the indicated
gear position is
recommended.
CAUTION
Do not rely solely on the shift-up/
shift-down recommendations by
indications. The actual driving situation
might require shift operations different
from indication. To avoid the risk of
accidents, the road and traffic conditions
have to be judged correctly by the driver
before shifting.
NOTE
The GSI turns off when the following
operations are performed.
The vehicle is stopped.
The vehicle is put in neutral.
The vehicle is driven in reverse.
The clutch is not fully engaged when
accelerating from a stop.
The clutch pedal remains depressed for
2 seconds or longer while driving.
▼Recommendations for Shifting
Upshifting
For normal acceleration, Mazda
recommends these shift points:
Gear
Vehicle speed
1 to 2 24 km/h (15 mph)
2 to 3 42 km/h (26 mph)
3 to 4 60 km/h (37 mph)
4 to 5 74 km/h (46 mph)
5 to 6 79 km/h (49 mph)
For cruising, Mazda recommends these
shift points:
Gear Vehicle speed
1 to 2 13 km/h (8 mph)
2 to 3 29 km/h (18 mph)
3 to 4 48 km/h (30 mph)
4 to 5 63 km/h (39 mph)
5 to 6 69 km/h (43 mph)
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy
traffic or on a steep upgrade, downshift
before the engine star ts to overwork. This
reduces the chance of stalling and gives
better acceleration when you need more
speed.
On a steep downgrade , downshifting
helps maintain safe speed and prolongs
brake life.
When Driving
Manual Transaxle Operation
4-28
CX-3_8JL1-EA-20G_Edition1_old 2020-5-22 15:31:00
Refer to Warning/Indicator Lights on page
4-21.
When releasing the parking brake
The parking brake can be released while
the ignition is switched ON or the engine
is running. When the parking brake is
released, the brake system warning light
and the EPB switch indicator light turn
off.
Parking brake manual release
Firmly depress the brake pedal and press
the EPB switch.
If the EPB switch is pressed without
depressing the brake pedal, the indicator
light in the instrument cluster notifies the
driver that the brake is not depressed.
The brake pedal operation demand
indicator light (green) in the instrument
cluster turns on.
(Green)
Parking brake automatic release
If the accelerator pedal is depressed with
the parking brake applied and all of the
following conditions met, the parking
brake is released automatically.
The engine is running.
The driver's door is closed.
The driver's seat belt is fastened.
(Manual transaxle)
The change lever is in a position other
than neutral.
The clutch pedal is depressed halfway
(Automatic transaxle)
Selector lever is in the D, M, or R
position
NOTE
If something such as the driver's foot
contacts the accelerator pedal with the
engine running and the parking brake
applied, the parking brake may be
released automatically. If you do not
intend to drive immediately, shift the
change lever (manual transaxle) to the
neutral position, or shift the selector lever
(automatic transaxle) to the P or N
position.
When Driving
Brake
4-57
CX-3_8JL1-EA-20G_Edition1_old 2020-5-22 15:31:00