Losing or replacing your Mazda 6 key fob doesn’t always mean a costly trip to the dealership. Many Mazda 6 owners can program their keyless entry remotes themselves, saving both time and money. This guide provides simple, step-by-step instructions to program your Mazda 6 key fob to control the door locks and, separately, program the immobilizer. It’s important to note that when programming key fobs for the door locks, you will need to program all of your remotes at the same time because programming a new one will erase the memory of the old ones.
Programming Your Mazda 6 Key Fob for Door Locks
Follow these instructions carefully to program your Mazda 6 key fob to operate the door locks:
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Get in and Prepare: Ensure all doors, including the trunk or hatchback, are completely closed. Sit in the driver’s seat and make sure only the driver’s side door is opened.
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Ignition Cycling: Turn the ignition key from the OFF position to the ON position and then back to the OFF position a total of three times (OFF-ON, OFF-ON, OFF-ON), leaving the key in the OFF position after the third cycle.
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Door Cycling: Close the driver’s side door, then open and close it again three times (OPEN-CLOSE, OPEN-CLOSE, OPEN-CLOSE), leaving the door open after the third cycle.
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Confirmation of Programming Mode: If you have successfully entered programming mode, your Mazda 6 will respond by automatically cycling the door locks. This is your confirmation that the system is ready to learn the new remote(s).
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Remote Programming (Single Remote Example):
- Take the keyless entry remote you wish to program and press the LOCK button on the remote twice.
- The door locks should cycle again to confirm successful programming of that remote.
- If you only have one remote to program, after the first confirmation, press the LOCK button twice two more times (for a total of three sets of double presses). The locks will cycle after each double press to confirm each signal is received.
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Remote Programming (Multiple Remotes Example):
- If you have two remotes to program, after programming the first remote as described above, immediately take your second remote and press the LOCK button twice. The locks will cycle to confirm. Repeat the double press two more times as with the single remote, for a total of three sets of double presses on the second remote.
- If you have three remotes to program, program the first two remotes as described above. Then, take the third remote and press the LOCK button twice. Again, repeat the double press two more times, for a total of three sets of double presses on the third remote.
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Completion: Programming for the door locks is now complete. You can test all programmed remotes to ensure they are working correctly with the door locks.
Programming Your Mazda 6 Immobilizer
Programming the immobilizer is a separate process and typically involves using existing, programmed keys to teach the system about a new key. Here’s how to program the immobilizer on your Mazda 6:
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Key 1 – Ignition ON: Insert your first, already programmed key (Key 1) into the ignition. Turn the ignition to the ON position. Observe the security indicator light on your dashboard. It should illuminate.
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Security Light Observation: Wait for the security light to turn off. This should take approximately 3 seconds.
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Key 1 – Ignition OFF: Once the security light turns off, turn the ignition key back to the LOCK position within 4 seconds and remove Key 1 from the ignition.
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Key 2 – Repeat Process: Immediately insert your second, already programmed key (Key 2) into the ignition. Repeat steps 1-3 with Key 2.
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Key 3 (New Key) – Repeat Process: Now, insert the new key (Key 3) that you are programming into the ignition. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
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Verification: After completing the process with Key 3, if the security light stops blinking approximately 3 seconds after turning the ignition to the ON position with Key 3, then the immobilizer programming for the new key is successful. The security light behaving normally indicates that the new key is now recognized by your Mazda 6’s immobilizer system.
By following these steps, you should be able to program your Mazda 6 keyless entry remote and immobilizer without needing special tools or a dealership visit. Always double-check your owner’s manual for any specific instructions or variations for your particular Mazda 6 model year.
