How to warm up the CX-7 w/ key card

[koala]

For those of us that live in northern climates, we all know the fun of having to start our vehicle and let it warm up for 5 minutes at -40 so that we don't freeze our balls off.

Unfortunately, I can't think of a really good way to do this with my CX-7. I'm not sure of an easy way to be able to start the vehicle and still be able to lock it securely and go back inside my house/business while it warms up.

Any ideas?

The only thing I've come up with thus-far is to take the spare key out of the card, and start the car with that... but then you'd probably need the second key card and it's key to lock the door.

 

[CXRabbit]

Best solution is to get the Mazda remote start. I say get the Mazda one because it doesn't render the Smart Key useless when using the Remote Start, like an aftermarket system will do. They also won't need to hide a key in your car.

I have no idea how to lock it while running otherwise. With the remote start there is supposed to be a quick-stop feature so you can lock it while running and go into a store, but I haven't figured out how to use it. The remote-start itself, for warming up the car, works flawlessly.

 

[koala]

Best solution is to get the Mazda remote start. I say get the Mazda one because it doesn't render the Smart Key useless when using the Remote Start, like an aftermarket system will do. They also won't need to hide a key in your car.

I have no idea how to lock it while running otherwise. With the remote start there is supposed to be a quick-stop feature so you can lock it while running and go into a store, but I haven't figured out how to use it. The remote-start itself, for warming up the car, works flawlessly.

The dealer told me that with the navigation system I can't have the Mazda remote-start installed. I've actually had 3 dealers all tell me the same thing now.

 

[CXRabbit]

My guess: They are wrong. I have it and it works great! Ask them to explain WHY it can't be installed.

Now being in Canada maybe it's different, but I can't imagine what the Nav system has to do with it... it doesn't even connect to the Nav system.

I have the full tech package with smart key and the Mazda remote-start system works excellent. I press the button twice from as far as 1200 feet away and the car starts, with doors locked. I come up to the car and press the request switch (on the door) and it unlocks. Get in, turn the car to "on", tap the brake and you're ready to go. Nav system has NOTHING to do with it, so it baffles me they would tell you that.

Part Number is MCX70000-8F-M06B (used to be MCX70000-8F-M06A, but they just recently changed it).

 

[mixmasterlove]

The dealer told me that with the navigation system I can't have the Mazda remote-start installed. I've actually had 3 dealers all tell me the same thing now.

Bullsh&t, I have the Nav and the remote start !!!

 

[CXRabbit]

Hey, Mixmaster, any idea how to use the Quick-Stop feature?

 

[mixmasterlove]

If you have the remote start like me, you just have to press the button again 1 or 2xs (can't remember) to stop it. I.E. Taking a little longer to get ready.

 

[mixmasterlove]

I never tried to use the "remote start there is supposed to be a quick-stop feature so you can lock it while running and go into a store, but I haven't figured out how to use it". I personally would just shut the car and not waste gas OR make it real quick, like a NY minute.

 

[koala]

I figured they lied to me about it "not working with the nav system."

But unfortunately it's a 2 year lease and I don't want to put any money into it... I'll just have to deal with freezing a bit on the days when it gets really cold out.

 

[xavier]

koala: Heres what I do.

I start the vehicle normally (with plastic cap and keep the smart key with me.

Get out and close the door (door will be unlocked and it'll start beeping at you.)

Pull the key out of the smart key card and lock the door through the keyhole.

Unlock it the same way (using the physical key in the keyhole).

I use this method as a quick stop feature as well.

 

[koala]

Thanks xavier, I just tried this and it works..

I'm shocked that it'll just keep running. I started it, left the drivers door open and walked away (with my key card on me) and it just kept running...

 

[xavier]

Thanks xavier, I just tried this and it works..

I'm shocked that it'll just keep running. I started it, left the drivers door open and walked away (with my key card on me) and it just kept running...

Yep...it'll keep running. I almost messed up due to that fact. I was helping my dad install surround sound in his living room yesterday and so I was making trips back and forth to my house and his so I would just leave the car running. On the last trip, I went in my house and took my keys out of my pocket and set them on the counter in my house. When I left, I forgot the keys and I had to go all the way back home to get the keys cuz once I turned the car off....I would have been stuck!

 

[meanstreak]

For those of us that live in northern climates, we all know the fun of having to start our vehicle and let it warm up for 5 minutes at -40 so that we don't freeze our balls off.

Unfortunately, I can't think of a really good way to do this with my CX-7. I'm not sure of an easy way to be able to start the vehicle and still be able to lock it securely and go back inside my house/business while it warms up.

Any ideas?

The only thing I've come up with thus-far is to take the spare key out of the card, and start the car with that... but then you'd probably need the second key card and it's key to lock the door.

I have started mine with the ignition knob and locked it from outside the door with my the key. Why do you need the key to start the car?

 

[nkabak]

Help! Somewhere either on this forum or elsewhere, I read about using the regular "Smart Key" being able to start the engine remotely, but only within 10 - 15 feet.
Can anyone shed any light on this matter?

Darth Vader Grey AWD w/Tech Package

 

[CXRabbit]

Was me.

The installer programmed the Smart-Key to remote-start the car and it only worked from about 10-15 feet away... but that was when I had the aftermarket remote-start system in there (which was later replaced with the Mazda Remote-Start).

 

[Otto]

Thanks xavier, I just tried this and it works..

I'm shocked that it'll just keep running. I started it, left the drivers door open and walked away (with my key card on me) and it just kept running...

It has to keep running due to safety reasons. Imagine that the battery in your smart key dies while you're driving the car (which would have the same effect as walking away with the key) - you certainly wouldn't want the car to shut down at that moment, would you? (burnout)

 

[nkabak]

How to warm up the CX-7 w/ key card Reply to Thread

Was me.

The installer programmed the Smart-Key to remote-start the car and it only worked from about 10-15 feet away... but that was when I had the aftermarket remote-start system in there (which was later replaced with the Mazda Remote-Start).

I thought it was you after all!!!

You have me confused. (very easily done)
Are you saying that the smart key will only work if there is a remote-start system installed? Or is it already installed and the smart key needs to be adjusted/modified?

If I need to purchase an aftermarket remote starter and have that installed, can I then have the smart key adjusted to be able to start remotely even if only for a short distance?

Darth Vader Grey GT AWD w/Tech package

 

[CXRabbit]

With the Smart-Key system you DO NOT want an aftermarket remote-start. It will not play nice with the smart key system... at least not at this point (maybe in the future when the aftermarket companies catch up on the CX-7).

The remote-start provides an additional remote for starting the car...

...and the only way to start the car remotely (from a distance), with ANY remote, is to have a remote-start system installed.

Your car doesn't have it unless you specifically purchased the remote-start option, or, went to the dealer or an audio/aftermarket shop and had one installed.

 

[cougar10agREDUX]

so is that little remote the mazda OEM remote start? i picked up an '07 sport with the regular keyfob from carmax a couple weeks ago and we figured out that was the remote start, but i wasn't to sure if it was the OEM one.

I'm not too fond of carrying an extra remote just for the remote start, so i just leave it in the console.