Towing with CX-9
I used mine 08 AWD GT w/Tow Package to tow my two road racing bikes to ButtonWillow (approx 250mi) and Infineon Raceway(70 mi). The total weight of the bikes and trailer is about 1,500 lbs.
1) It towed awesome--couldnt even tell I was towing--until I looked at the gas guage
2) Going to BW--I averaged 80mph (yeah, yeah, yeah--its illegal--whatever), got about 14mpg
3) Going to Infineon--I averaged over 16mpg (80% freeway/20% streets) averaging about 70mph on the freeway
4) The only thing that bugged me, was on I5 on the first trip to BW, the car wanted to stay in 6th or 5th gear most of the time and just bog, I would have to manually shift to 3rd or 4th to get the revs into the powerband. It seems like it locks out and gears lower than 5th/6th over 75mph. I didnt notice this going to Inf, as lower speeds like freeway on ramps it down shifts as it should and will carry the revs to just below redline.
? Does anyone know if the CX-9 with the tow package has some kind of "learning ability" to down shift more aggressively??
I guess Ill find out soon enough on my next trip.
Aside from that, I love the car, its really my wifes, but she lets me borrow it for track/race days. I wasnt so sure since our other cars are an Acura TL and a Mercedes Wagon--But this car ROCKS and was really affordable--which menas more racing for me(2thumbs)(2thumbs)(2thumbs)