istop is just a name for Mazda's start/stop function, it provides some electrical support to power the auxiliaries (radio, speaker, lights, etc) while the engine is turned off. It is not like a hybrid where it has a larger battery to power the propulsion systems also. It uses just the only battery for that function. They specify Q85 type batteries as these types of batteries can handle more frequent and faster charge/discharge cycle than standard batteries.

If you want to permenantly disable istop, just disconnect the negative terminal for more than 5 minutes and it should reset (including your radio and personal settings in the interface). It should remain orange/continuous blinking from then onwards. I've not tried it, but from reading the service manual, this seems to do the trick.

If you have multiple cars back home and you stay in a landed housing with your own car porch, get yourself a lead acid charger. Do a maintenance charge every once a month to maintain the life of the battery. Technically, even standard maintenance free batteries can last double the time if maintenance charge is being done periodically. You'll get your return for the cost of the charger from 1 battery replacement cycle.


There's one document that you'll need to sign off to acknowledge delivery of the car. You can insist to go through the checklist and do 1 short test drive before signing off. Don't buta buta just sign whatever they tell you to. That document very powerful as it will be evidence for them to claim from the bank to claim the loaned amount.

But actually, a pre-registration check can be done when the new car is allocated to you and delivered to the showroom but still not registered to JPJ. Your SC should give you a call and give you a chance to perform the check before proceeding to register to JPJ. If registered, very hard to reject la....unless very major like give you wrong colour or wrong spec. Minor things, they'll schedule the rectification work for you at the 1st service despite feeling a little pissed that your new car is not in pristine condition when handed to you.