How to Open a Mazda with a Dead Key Fob
- First, if you are already inside, click here.
- Second, you can find some video help here!
- Finally, if you need or want another manufacturer, click here.
Retrieving the mechanical key
Retrieving the mechanical keyFor early Mazda models, slide the release lever on the back of the advanced key (remote control or ‘clicker’) to release the auxiliary (mechanical) key. Pull out the auxiliary key from the advanced key. Use the key to unlock the driver’s door.
In 2020, Mazda introduced a new key fob style. It is distinguished by the lock, unlock etc. buttons being found on one side of the fob. The mechanical or auxiliary key is found inside.
To access it, slide the lever found on the top of the fob towards the side, as the arrow indicates. The back cover can then be slid 
away in the opposite direction and removed. The mechanical key can be seen inside and is simply lifted away, as shown.
If a key hole is visible, simply insert the mechanical key and turn and you’re in.
However, also in 2020, Mazda introduced a new door handle in the the Mazda3 and CX-30 models. In these 
models, the key hole can be seen only when the door handle is pulled to the open position. It may be awkward to reach and drivers with large hands may have difficulty, but the mechanical key must be inserted into the key hole while the door handle is pulled open. See the image to the right.
Once inserted, turn the key to the right. Return the key to the original position and remove it. Release the handle and pull it open again and you’ll be inside the car.
For pre-2020 models, there is video help here.
Continue to Part II, Getting Started …
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
and hold the release button while pulling the key blade from the Smart Key (remote control or ‘clicker’) body. The release button must be pressed as well to return the key blade.
For the second, press and hold the release button on the side of the fob, while lifting the emergency (mechanical) key blade cover from the Smart Key body. Extract the emergency key blade and unfold. On some models, the lock cylinder (keyhole) at the back of the door handle will be visible. If so, use the key blade to unlock the door.
The third version, used by both Jaguar and Land Rover, hides the mechanical or emergency key beneath a chrome cover on one side of the fob. Slide the side cover towards the top of the fob as shown to release and remove it. The mechanical key can then be slipped out the same way and unfolded.
The newest version of the fob is thankfully a simple side button press (arrow, right) and a pull. The mechanical key is the key ring end of the fob. We have seen two instances of mechanical keys missing from key fobs in the previous styles. This will not be an issue with the newest fob.
If the keyhole is not visible, insert the key blade into the slot at the base of the door lock cover located near the back of the driver’s door handle and lift slightly to pry away the lock cover and expose the lock cylinder. The key blade will need to be twisted slightly as well. If you are in the dark, you may need to feel for the slot. Yes, you must pry off a piece of the car. It is uncomfortable but necessary and will uncover the hidden keyhole.
the Style 3 key fob, the process is just slightly different. There is still an access hole or slot beneath the key hole cover. Insert the key blade into the slot and press down on the cover slightly. Gently lever the key blade upwards and rotate the lock cover upwards to release it. And again, yes, you are prying off a piece of the car.
the key fob’s battery is dead or there is interference. The Land Rover Evoque and Jaguar I-Pace now feature the new handle as well. Other models will likely follow.
Once you have exposed the lock cylinder at the rear of the handle, use the mechanical key, which is the same in this model as others built since 2015, to unlock the driver’s door. Again, the alarm sounds until the Smart Key is positioned correctly. To disarm the alarm continue to Starting Instructions in Part II.
Retrieving the mechanical key
To use the most common Hyundai key fobs, press and hold the release button at the key ring end of the remote control or ‘clicker’ and pull the key ring to remove mechanical key. Use the key to unlock the driver’s door. They too remain in limited use today (2025).
The exception come in the form of key fobs with the mechanical release on the back, which. Hyundai began using in 2019 (right). Push the button in order to release the mechanical key.
supplying a new key fob and separate mechanical key shown to the right. This fob has spread to other models as well. To use the mechanical key, a protective cover must be removed and its handle rotated down.
trick. Several other Hyundai models have been added since, namely the Santa Fe, in 2024, and Venue. These models all feature a two-piece door handle. As shown in the image to the left, press the mechanical key into the slot found under the cover at the back of the driver’s door handle (1) and pull forward and up by hand (2).
A “hybrid” of this was introduced in 2020 in the Sonata. By 2024, it is found in the Elantra, Santa Cruz, and Tucson. The mechanical key is again slipped into a slot beneath the back of the door handle and pushed upwards. Now however, a small cover, seen in blue to the left, is slid to the side and out of the way. This should be done when the mechanical key is still inserted and pushed upward. The keyhole is then revealed.
The redesign of the Kona brings with it a new and odd door two-piece handle, as seen to the left. It still features a cap that hides the key hole, which must be removed. It looks like the others, but to get at the key hole, lift the door handle and hold it in the open position. Slip the mechanical key into the open slot in the cap from behind it and rotate the cap upwards. It will come free, exposing the key hole.
In 2019, a very different hidden key hole style was introduced in the Hyundai Santa Fe (removed in 2024), the new Palisade model a year later and the Elantra in 2021. The handle for all intents and purposes is one piece, but a small piece of horizontal trim located just behind the black entry button (arrow) is removable. Pull the handle outward. This exposes another small black button just behind the handle (2, below). Look at the handle from behind to find it.
Push the button inwards using the mechanical key. This releases the trim piece that can be swung away exposing the keyhole. The key can then be turned to unlock the car. Pull the key out before opening the door to avoid damaging the door handle.
Afterwards, the cover can be pressed back on, but your immediate concern is getting into your car.
In the Nexo, a plug protects the key hole, likely from water and debris. Use the mechanical key to pry the plug away (first image left) and then insert the key to unlock the car.
Hyundai vehicles that include a separate mechanical key include two digital options and a facial recognition option. Digital options include a pre-registered card key and a smart phone app on a registered smart phone. The card key and app can also start the car. However, facial recognition will only open the vehicle, so the key fob, card key or smart phone app will be needed to start the car.
Facial recognition is accomplished using a camera mounted in the pillar behind the driver’s door. Again, this will only allow entry and other means will be needed to start the car, so this is of limited value.
fob (remote control or ‘clicker’) styles, and Chevrolet uses them all. To get in the vehicle when the key fob battery is dead, a mechanical key will have to retrieved from the fob and used to unlock the car.
In next style is a flip key, shown to the left, press the unmarked chrome button to extend the mechanical key. It remains attached to the key fob. Use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door.
The final rounded style key fob is similar to the rectangular fob, in that the mechanical key is removed from the fob for use getting into the vehicle. However, it is similar in appearance to Style 2. To remove the mechanical key, press the button on the side of the transmitter near the key ring, as shown, and pull the key out.
Chevrolet models with traditional door handles but no obvious key holes or lock cylinders, hide the key holes under a cap at the back of the driver’s door. They include the Impala, Tahoe, Suburban, Malibu, Cruze, Camaro and Volt as well as new Bolt and Blazer models. To remove the cap, pull the door handle out to the open position. Insert the key into the slot on the bottom of the cap (“3”, right).
Corvette models are a very different animals. The C6 through C8 models have non-traditional, all electronic locks, latches and door handles, if they can be called handles at all. The C8 does have a key cylinder, but it is found in the air inlet located on the body, behind and above the left door handle. See the image to the right. Insert the mechanical key and turn to open the car.
Older C6 and C7 Corvette models, also have flush door handles (right image) with no key holes at all. They have a very different trick up their sleeves. You must use the mechanical key to open the trunk. The key hole is under the lip of the trunk lid facing the ground.
Once the trunk is open, you will find a release handle. It is along the left wall of the trunk in the Corvette (right).
(IA) (remote control or ‘clicker’) key styles. Two of the key fobs use a sliding release on the back side to release the key. Two new key fobs use a push button to release the mechanical key, and one is much easier than the other to use. Another holds the key inside the fob itself and is really difficult to remove.
To release the mechanical key blade in your IA key fob, slide the release on the back of the transmitter and pull the blade out. You can now use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door.
(pull is straight up and off) to access the key blade. Its awkward and may take some practice. That mechanical key can now be used to unlock the driver’s door.
To remove it, push the buttons on either side of the key fob.
It has a push button on the front of the mechanical key itself near the key ring space. Simply push the button and pull the mechanical key away from the IA key.
the 2016 Edge have since been added to this list.
The Ford Expedition is updated for 2018, and features another way to hide the key hole. The door handles are a single piece. The key hole is easily exposed by simply pulling the driver’s door handle. It is seen angled outward at the back end of the handle. Insert the mechanical key and turn clockwise. Remove the key and release the handle. The door will open on the next pull. Note that the alarm will sound in a minute or so if the car is not started in time.
The Ford GT uses all electronic locks and latches. The end result is that there is no key hole to unlock a door. So, to get in, you’ll need to open the rear hatch!
Competition Series GT, the key hole is on the top of the hatch.
The new all electric Mustang Mach E uses electronic latches. A button above the door handle (right) is pressed and the door pops open. If the key fob is dead, the vehicle offers is no opportunity to use the mechanical key to get inside. However, the car can be accessed with an app on your smart phone or using the keyless entry code panel on the door post.
Retrieving the mechanical key
The Key Fobs used in models built after 2010 are sleeker and rounded (see the image to the right) but work the same way. Slide the mechanical latch at the top of the back of the Fob to the side and pull the emergency key out with your free hand.
Even newer models, including Ram trucks, use an updated, flatter version of the key fob. The button is on the side, as denoted by the bottom arrow. The mechanical key is removed by once again pulling on the key ring end with your free hand.
‘clicker’). There are three different but similar key fob styles. The first one has a release button near the gap for a key ring, and is used for Acura models.
The second key fob, also used by Acura, uses a sliding button near the top of what is actually the mechanical key itself. The third one, found on Honda key fobs, uses a slide button just below the mechanical key on the main body of the remote control. See the image below right.
To remove mechanical key, pull it out while pressing the Acura release button or sliding the Honda release button. To reinstall the built-in key, push the key into the remote until it clicks. With one exception, use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door.
There are two exception. The first is found in the Honda Civic beginning with the 2022 model year and the Acura Integra beginning in 2023. In these models the key cylinder is hidden behind the driver’s door handle. It is exposed simply by pulling the handle into the open position (left). The mechanical key can then be inserted into the cylinder. Other models may follow.
The introduction of the Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue all electric models in 2024 also brings an entirely new door handle. In this case, the lock cylinder is hiding behind a cap at the back of the handle. Insert the mechanical key into the slot shown in the image to the right. Turn the key and the cap moves to the right and can be removed. This reveals the lock cylinder. The key can now be used in the cylinder to unlock the car.