New looker, AWD question

M

Martyd

:

2023 CX-5S Select

• Oct 28, 2014

• #1

With AWD is there a driveshaft to the rear wheels like cars of old? A differential, rear axle etc. ? Just wondering if there is a potential for down the road mechanical problems due to lack of, let's say BEEF. Strong enough?
I've read AWD only happens when needed, true?
Hope to test drive soon but would like a little knowledge.
Marty

 

K

Kedis82ZE8

'15 CX-5 AWD GT w/Tech Pkg

Contributor

• Oct 28, 2014

• #2

Yes. Rear diff & axle...


Only thing without that at this point is some AWD hybrids like Lexus 300h.


AWD is on demand... not sure how much slip is needed. I think of it like AWD on my Polaris quads that go into AWD with small amount of wheel slip.

 

Chris_Top_Her

Banned

Moderator

Contributor

:

San Antonio, Texas

:

'15 CX-5 Miata AWD

• Oct 28, 2014

• #3

I use my AWD a lot. I have better gripping, wider tires than the oem. I can feel the AWD when I do hard power on turns.

 

O

Oldengineer

Member

:

CX-5 Touring AWD

• Oct 28, 2014

• #4

Kedis is right - AWD is on demand. I got my 2015 CX-5 Touring this Summer and, so far, the only time I felt the AWD kick in was moving away from a stop sign on a steep hill in the rain. Got a tiny bit of front wheel spin and it kicked right in and got me moving. Drivetrain seems robust enough, and, I don't anticipate any mechanical issues with it.

Regards:
Oldengineer

 

G

gova

:

'14.5 CX-5 Touring AWD, Soul Red | '14 CX-5 Touring AWD White

• Oct 30, 2014

• #5

Kedis82ZE8 said:

...
AWD is on demand... not sure how much slip is needed. ...

Click to expand...

I believe that I read somewhere that 1/2 rotation is needed for AWD to kick in. Don't quote me on it though.

 

K

Kedis82ZE8

'15 CX-5 AWD GT w/Tech Pkg

Contributor

• Oct 30, 2014

• #6

You do have to piece the info on AWD system together. Not much in FSM...I do notice there is a temperature sensor in differential that will deactivate the AWD solenoid in an overheat condition.

A little bit of weight info here:

"The new CX-5 cuts weight everywhere. Bolts are 8 grams lighter in the CX-5 than they were in the CX-7. The AWD system was completely redone, reducing the weight of that system by 44% (86lbs.) Energy loss was also reduced 52% making the AWD system more efficient."

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/08/zoom-zoom-meets-fuel-efficiency-skyactiv-explained.html

Not much here but some info about other models:

http://www.awdwiki.com/en/mazda/