Mazda 3 Owners Manual: Starting the Engine

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 .

• 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.

• 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 instrument cluster and the push button start indicator light (green) illuminate.

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 .

NOTE

• 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 .
• 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.
• 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 .

Engine Start Function When Key Battery is Dead

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 engine has completely started.
2. (Manual transaxle) Continue to depress the clutch pedal firmly until the 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.

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 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 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 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 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.