Hi Guys, Got a solution that will help many Mazda owners. I have had a number of Ford vehicles, from 02 Focus Wagon to 06 Ford Fusion. These vehicles use the PATS system for keys and security. Well, Ford and Mazda have been sharing parts and platforms for a while. Example, a 2006 Mazda 6 has the same engine and trans as the 2006 Ford Fusion. As best as I know, anyway.
So, with many Mazda cars that use Ford technology, you can program Mazda keys using the free ForScan program that interacts with the OBD and PATS system through the OBD2 port.
I successfully programmed some new keys for a 2013 Mazda 2 using the ForScan program and the same PATS approach I would use for a Ford vehicle. Here's what you need:
0. The correct key blank(s), with transponder chip, cut to match your current working key. I got my blanks off Amazon for $15 for one with integrated remote buttons and $10 for one with plain head. I got mine cut at a local mom & pop hardware store for under $5 each.
I got this one:
https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)
1. A Windows 10 or 11 laptop (or an Android phone/tablet may work too, I haven't used ForScan there.)
2. The ForScan program. Get it here:
www.Forscan.org. Download page is
Download FORScan
2. A USB to OBD2 cable that supports ELM-327. These are available on Amazon for $15 or so. You can also use an OBD2 to Bluetooth dongle to connect the OBD2 port to a PC or Android tablet using Bluetooth. The Forscan site has a list of recommended cables and Amazon links.
3. A ForScan extended license is required to access the PATS key programming functionality. You can buy for $20 or so through a couple vendors listed on the
www.Forscan.org site.
4. Install the ForScan program on your laptop or tablet, and plug in your ELM-327 cable or bluetooth OBD2 device, and go into Forscan and tell it to connect to your OBD2 port.
5. Find a useful ForScan video on Youtube and Follow instructions in the video to program a new PATS key.
Some links:
This one was pretty helpful, covering the process once Forscan is installed.
Installing Forscan extended license to access PATS key programming functionality:
There are numerous other things you can do with ForScan; I'm only focusing on key programming here.