I found it!!!
Benfolio said:
The wrench set does cost ~ $200
Some key programs do take an hour. SO if that's what the shop rate is...
I think i read on another forum.. there is a way to buy a key.. and program it yourself.. i know this can be done on the mazda 3... check the mazda 3 forums.. i think its doable... from what I remember all keys have to be "synched" togther to one code... there is a trick out there... if i can find the trick, ill post it..
Ok guys.. this is from some guy that programmed his mazda 3.. cant confirm it will work on the 5.. (my guess is that it will)..same damn platform, same plant in japan...his post is bleow
Luckily my last car was a Ford Focus with the same transponder key system, Ford I guess has a slightly better opinion of their customers so they provide instructions for key programming in the owners manual (which I retained in PDF format). I decided to take the risk and attempt to use the Focus key programming instructions to program new keys for the 3.
First I needed a compatible transponder key blank cut physically to match my car's ignition & door locks. My local locksmith doesn't carry the blanks so I had to go to the dealer. The guy at the parts desk warned me that they needed to be programmed but when I told him I was going to program it myself he was like "ok". 5 minutes and $23.38 later I had a new key physically cut to match my existing keys. I tested the key in the ignition and verified that while it would turn the ignition cylinder it would not engage the starter, it also unlocked & locked the drivers door so I know it's cut correctly.
Now to program the transponder, I have the Focus manual page in hand, here is the basic how-to.
Items needed:
1. 2 pre-programmed transponder keys.
2. 1 new transponder key
The timing is critical to this procedure, please read through the entire procedure before attempting.
Procedure:
1. Insert one of the pre-programmed transponder keys and turn the ignition to "on", leave on for at least one second (I wait until the red key symbol in the instrument cluster extiinguishes), remove the key from the ignition.
2. Within 5 seconds insert the second pre-programmed key and urn the ignition to "on" for at least one second but no more than 5 seconds (use the key symbol for this as well) then remove the second key.
3. within 10 seconds insert the new key in the ignition and turn the ignition to "on", if you are successful the red key symbol will illuminate then extinguish after about a second.
If you are not successful the red key symbol will flash repeatedly to indicate that you have inserted an invalid key. Remove the key, wait a minute and try it again, it took me a few times to get it perfect and I had done it before.
To see the applicable pages from the Focus owners manual see
this page
The new key cost me less than $25, the dealer even physically cut the new key for free.
I STRONGLY suggest that EVERYONE go out and get at least one spare key made & prorgammed for their 3. If you lose one of your two original keys and don't have a spare you won't be able to make any new keys (as you need to prorgammend keys to program more) and will need to go to the dealer and have them re-program the ECU.
Good luck!!!