Starting the engine

WARNING

Radio waves emitted by the key may interfere with the operation of medical equipment, for example

a pacemaker: Before using the key near people who use medical equipment, ask the equipment manufacturer or your doctor whether the radio waves emitted by the transmitter may interfere with the operation of that equipment.

CAUTION

• The key must be nearby because it contains an immobilizer chip that communicates with the engine control module over a short range.

• The engine can be started by pressing the Start button from the OFF, ACC or ON position.

• The Start button function (the function that allows the engine to be started as soon as the key is within the operating range) can be turned off to avoid any adverse effect on users of pacemakers and other medical equipment.

  If the system is turned off, you will not be able to start the engine when the key is within the operating range. For details, consult a specialist service; we recommend an Authorized Mazda Dealer. If you have turned off the Start button function, you can start the engine in the same way as the starting procedure when the key battery is discharged.

  See "Starting the Engine When the Key Battery Is Discharged" on page 4-11.

• After starting a cold engine, its speed increases and you may hear a distinctive whooshing sound from the engine compartment.

  This is related to improved exhaust gas purification and does not indicate a component malfunction.

1. Make sure you have the key with you.

2. Check that all passengers have fastened their seat belts.

3. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

4. Keep the brake pedal depressed until the engine has fully started.

5. (Manual transmission) Keep the clutch pedal depressed until the engine has fully started.

(Automatic transmission) Place the shift lever in (P). If you need to restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, place the lever in neutral (N).

CAUTION

(Manual transmission) The starter will not operate if the clutch pedal is not depressed far enough.

(Automatic transmission) The starter will not operate if the shift lever is not in P or N and the brake pedal is not depressed far enough.

6. Check that the key indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster and the Start button indicator (green) are illuminated.

CAUTION

• If the Start button indicator (green) flashes, make sure you have the key with you.

• If the Start button indicator (green) flashes and the key is within the operating range, touch the Start button with the key and start the engine. See "Starting the Engine When the Key Battery Is Discharged" on page 4-11.

CAUTION

If the key warning light (red) is illuminated or the Start button indicator (orange) is flashing, there may be a malfunction in the engine starting system, and starting the engine or setting the ignition switch to ACC or ON is not possible. Consult a specialist service as soon as possible; we recommend an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

CAUTION

The key warning light (red) flashes when the Start button is pressed to inform the driver that the Start button will not switch to ACC, even if it is pressed from the OFF position under the following circumstances:

• The key battery is discharged.

• The key is outside the operating range.

• The key is in a location where the system cannot detect its signal (page 3-7).

• A foreign key, similar in operation to your vehicle's key, is within the operating range.

(Forced engine start method) If the key warning light (red) is illuminated or the Start button indicator (orange) is flashing, this means the engine may not start using the normal method.

Consult a specialist service as soon as possible; we recommend an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

If this occurs, the engine can be started by force. Press and hold the Start button until the engine starts. The other conditions must also be met to start the engine, such as the key being within the operating range and the clutch pedal (manual transmission) or brake pedal (automatic transmission) being depressed.

• When starting the engine by force, the key warning light (red) remains illuminated and the Start button indicator (orange) keeps flashing.

• (Automatic transmission) When the shift lever is in neutral (N), the key indicator light (green) and the Start button indicator (green) do not illuminate.

7. Press the Start button after both the key indicator light (green) in the instrument cluster and the Start button indicator (green) have illuminated.

CAUTION

After the engine starts, the Start button indicator (orange) turns off and the ignition switch is in the ON position.

(SKYACTIV-G 1.3, SKYACTIV-G 1.5) After pressing the Start button and before the engine starts, you may hear the fuel pump operating from the area of the fuel tank. This is not a sign of a malfunction.

(SKYACTIV-D 1.5)

• When starting the engine, do not release the brake pedal until the glow plug indicator light in the instrument cluster goes off and the engine starts after pressing the Start button.

• If the brake pedal is released before the engine starts, depress the brake pedal again and press the Start button to start the engine.

• If the ignition switch is left in the ON position for an extended period without starting the engine after the glow plugs have heated, the glow plugs may heat up again, causing the glow plug indicator light to illuminate.

• The engine will not start if the glow plug indicator light does not go off.

8. After the engine starts, let it idle for about ten seconds (prohibited in Germany).

CAUTION

(Germany) Start driving immediately after starting the engine. However, do not use high engine speeds until the engine reaches its proper operating temperature.

(SKYACTIV-G 1.3, SKYACTIV-G 1.5)

• Regardless of whether the engine is warm or cold, do not press the accelerator pedal when starting the engine.

• If the engine does not start on the first attempt, refer to the section "Starting a Flooded Engine".

  If the engine still cannot be started, contact a qualified workshop. We recommend an Authorized Mazda Dealer (page 7-26).

(SKYACTIV-D 1.5) If the ambient temperature is about -10°C or lower, the engine maximum speed may not be reached for approximately three minutes after starting, to protect the engine.

• (Vehicles with manual transmission and i-stop) If the engine has stalled, it can be restarted by pressing the clutch pedal within 3 seconds after it stopped.

  The engine cannot be restarted, even after pressing the clutch pedal, under the following conditions:

• The driver's door is open.

• The driver's seat belt is not fastened.

• The clutch pedal was not fully released after the engine stalled.

• The clutch pedal was pressed before the engine had completely stopped.