Seeking Mazda AWD system design details
- Thread starter Yo'sDad
- Start date
Search Dave Coleman on youtube. And you can watch 'tests' comparing various AWD vehicles. You won't find any actual tech articles, just supposition by car geeks. Most of which is wrong. :|
The bottom line is that we don't have limited slip differentials, so mostly still a 2-wheel-drive auto (one on front axle gets full torque, one on rear axle gets (some?) torque).
FYI, my 2000 Outback had an LSD, and it made a huge difference in deep snow, pulling a snowmobile trailer and two sleds (on lake ice).
The bottom line is that we don't have limited slip differentials, so mostly still a 2-wheel-drive auto (one on front axle gets full torque, one on rear axle gets (some?) torque).
FYI, my 2000 Outback had an LSD, and it made a huge difference in deep snow, pulling a snowmobile trailer and two sleds (on lake ice).
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- CX5 GT
Also the new offroad mode on 2022-2023 is quite clever software mode.
I tried it recently on sand and it works with the diagonal test like in this video below. It does brake each wheel separately to achieve this.
Its not a tacoma like offroader, it is still a
city small crossover sbut it could get you going where other cuv awd may fail. Quite capable for what it is. With proper tires it is quite good awd.
Mazda doesnt share a lot of tech info but some Japanese sites have some docs. I have to find the links.
youtu.be
youtu.be
I tried it recently on sand and it works with the diagonal test like in this video below. It does brake each wheel separately to achieve this.
Its not a tacoma like offroader, it is still a
city small crossover sbut it could get you going where other cuv awd may fail. Quite capable for what it is. With proper tires it is quite good awd.
Mazda doesnt share a lot of tech info but some Japanese sites have some docs. I have to find the links.
Mazda CX-5 AWD diagonal test with MI-Drive! | Select OFF-ROAD mode!
Mazda CX-5 AWD diagonal test: Mazda updated their AWD system again! Guess they are fans of our famous test! Again this year we show a completely different re...
youtu.be
Mazda CX-5 - New Off Road Feature Test
Mazda's BEST SELLING Vehicle - the 2023 Mazda CX-5 Is here! And we test it off road. Welcome to the YouTube show where we rate vehicles on our Hipster Scale ...
youtu.be
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I think its a lot more sophisticated than that statement suggests. From my recollection, it uses a lot of sensing input and calculation to infer conditions and can apply braking to each wheel independently in addition to adjusting the relative front/rear power distribution. And they do talk those details.
from limited youtube videos i have watched (does that make me an expert? lol) the off road mode seems to work like subaru's x-mode.
also, subaru's awd seem to work better on tests used in the videos but are probably not that much different in real life where tires, tire placement, and ground clearance play a more important role.
also, subaru's awd seem to work better on tests used in the videos but are probably not that much different in real life where tires, tire placement, and ground clearance play a more important role.
Older article...might wet your appetite
https://insidemazda.mazdausa.com/the-mazda-way/cars-for-drivers/a-closer-look-at-drive-systems/
https://insidemazda.mazdausa.com/the-mazda-way/cars-for-drivers/a-closer-look-at-drive-systems/
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