Anyone tried to unlock their car with the Auxiliary Key?

1025 Views 18 Replies 6 Participants Last post by RedBaron, 1 mo ago

RedBaron

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

Just for grins, I thought I'd practice opening my car with the auxiliary (emergency) key stored in the fob. Couldn't do it! I followed the instructions in the manual (below) and different variants/directions etc. but nothing unlocked the door (I should note that I left the fob away in the house so the remote unlocking wouldn't work). Not sure if the key isn't cut correctly, or there's just some non-obvious trick that I'm not aware of.

Has anyone else tried this with (or without) success? It's probably good to know before you have an emergency and have yourself locked out of your car!

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Trickster

· #2 · 3 mo ago

Hmmm…I haven’t tried, but yours is a good point.
Now I am curious.

Miss-X2m1

· #3 · 3 mo ago

I tried and couldn't do it. I took the car to the dealership and the salesperson, who apparently has thumbs of steel, was able to easily do it. Once the salesperson did it, the lock apparently loosened up and now I'm able to do it on my own but it does leave my arthritic thumbs a bit sore and indented with an imprint of the key...LOL!! I wonder if the lock is deliberately tight to help stop or slowdown lock picks?

RedBaron

Discussion Starter · #4 · 3 mo ago

Miss-X2m1 said:
I tried and couldn't do it. I took the car to the dealership and the salesperson, who apparently has thumbs of steel, was able to easily do it. Once the salesperson did it, the lock apparently loosened up and now I'm able to do it on my own but it does leave my arthritic thumbs a bit sore and indented with an imprint of the key...LOL!! I wonder if the lock is deliberately tight to help stop or slowdown lock picks?

Interesting. How far did it turn? I could turn mine easily - at least as much as the angle shown in the manual - but it didn't unlock. Can you tell me exactly what you do/did to unlock it?

Reactions: 1

Miss-X2m1

· #5 · 3 mo ago

RedBaron said:
Interesting. How far did it turn? I could turn mine easily - at least as much as the angle shown in the manual - but it didn't unlock. Can you tell me exactly what you do/did to unlock it?

It's roughly 1/4 of a turn upward to unlock but it's not easy. You have push hard and it's not easy because the back of the key is very small so there's not much area on the key to get leverage. It hurts my old hands to do it.

Reactions: 1

LeeShadow

· #6 · 3 mo ago

I tested the key very early on to avoid issues when I actually needed to use it and had the same issue--just could not turn it. I then used needlenose pliers to hold it, carefully avoiding damaging the edge of the door handle, and turned it back and forth multiple times. That helped quite a bit, but I still then used some lock lubrication to try to loosen it up even further. I hadn't needed to use it in a while and recently tried--it is still tough to turn, but I think part of it is just the odd angle it forces you to use and the limited space between the key head and the door handle. I'm also mostly left handed so that may be contributing as well.

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Miss-X2m1

· #7 · 3 mo ago

LeeShadow said:
I tested the key very early on to avoid issues when I actually needed to use it and had the same issue--just could not turn it. I then used pliers to hold it, carefully avoiding damaging the edge of the door handle, and turned it back and forth multiple times. That helped quite a bit, but I still then used some lock lubrication to try to loosen it up even further. I hadn't needed to use it in a while and recently tried--it is still tough to turn, but I think part of it is just the odd angle it forces you to use and the limited space between the key head and the door handle. I'm also mostly left handed so that may be contributing as well.

I think it's hard to turn on purpose. It would make picking the lock probably nearly impossible.

Reactions: 1

RedBaron

Discussion Starter · #8 · 3 mo ago

LeeShadow said:
I tested the key very early on to avoid issues when I actually needed to use it and had the same issue--just could not turn it. I then used needlenose pliers to hold it, carefully avoiding damaging the edge of the door handle, and turned it back and forth multiple times. That helped quite a bit, but I still then used some lock lubrication to try to loosen it up even further. I hadn't needed to use it in a while and recently tried--it is still tough to turn, but I think part of it is just the odd angle it forces you to use and the limited space between the key head and the door handle. I'm also mostly left handed so that may be contributing as well.

I just went out to the car and tried pliers too. I can turn it 1/8 turn OK (like before), but even with pliers, I couldn't turn it past that. If I pushed it more, the key was starting to twist and I thought I'd break something.

Reactions: 1

Miss-X2m1

· #9 · 3 mo ago

RedBaron said:
I just went out to the car and tried pliers too. I can turn it 1/8 turn OK (like before), but even with pliers, I couldn't turn it past that. If I pushed it more, the key was starting to twist and I thought I'd break something.

Take my advice. When I couldn't turn the key, I took the car back to the dealership and let them deal with it. If it's going to break, let them break it. Don't force it. Your car has a warranty for a reason. If it's defective or needs an adjustment, this is the time to do it, during the first 12 months of ownership.

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RedBaron

Discussion Starter · #10 · 3 mo ago

Miss-X2m1 said:
Take my advice. When I couldn't turn the key, I took the car back to the dealership and let them deal with it. If it's going to break, let them break it. Don't force it. Your car has a warranty for a reason. If it's defective or needs an adjustment, this is the time to do it, during the first 12 months of ownership.

Oh sure, that's why I stopped

Unfortunately, I'll be out of town for another month, but it can wait 'til then.

Still, this seems to be a nasty issue to find if really in an emergency. I'd suggest everyone tests theirs immediately.

Reactions: 2

Miss-X2m1

· #11 · 3 mo ago

RedBaron said:
Oh sure, that's why I stopped Unfortunately, I'll be out of town for another month, but it can wait 'til then.

Still, this seems to be a nasty issue to find if really in an emergency. I'd suggest everyone tests theirs immediately.

It's very frustrating when you have a new car and you want to learn everything you can about it and you want to test everything to make sure it works as it should. Let the dealership deal with it. You have time.

RedBaron

Discussion Starter · #12 · 2 mo ago

Well, I now see (from reddit) that there's a recall for the lock. Although mine is not in the VIN range, this may be the issue anyway: MC-10217182-0001.pdf (nhtsa.gov)

Reddit thread: (12) Recall because of Door Lock Concern : CX50 (reddit.com)

Reactions: 1

LeeShadow

· #13 · 2 mo ago

There's a thread over on Reddit talking about this...there are at least two owners who were told by their dealers there's a recall on the locks and both have VINs outside of that bulletin range. One owner said the dealer claimed it impacted all CX-50's. The dealers didn't give any further info. I can't find any evidence yet online of that existing recall being expanded or a new different recall/bulletin. If anyone has a current active Mazda Service Info subscription, it can be checked there. I only use that for 24 hour subscriptions maybe once or twice a year.

RedBaron

Discussion Starter · #14 · 2 mo ago

LeeShadow said:
There's a thread over on Reddit talking about this

You mean the one I referenced & posted above, right?

RedBaron said:
Reddit thread: (12) Recall because of Door Lock Concern : CX50 (reddit.com)

LeeShadow

· #15 · 2 mo ago

LOL Yes, and the previous one I linked to on that post too

baybreakerfl

· #16 · 2 mo ago

What does 2023MY refer to?

Trickster

· #17 · 2 mo ago

baybreakerfl said:
What does 2023MY refer to?

2023 Model Year.

Reactions: 1

E30

· #18 · 1 mo ago

I have a 2023 Mazda3. Does anyone know if the auxilary Key has a chip in it? My locksmith says they do but I am doubtful as it appears to be a mechanical only setup just to get in the door.
I want to buy some blanks on ebay to put in a hide-a-key. I keep my spare fob in the spare tire area with the battery out for emergencies if I lost my main key on a mountain bike ride.

RedBaron

Discussion Starter · #19 · 1 mo ago

No chip in the aux key. The chip is in the fob.

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