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Mazda CX-7 AWD Questions

9 messages,  Last post on Aug 06, 2007 at 8:00 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda CX-7, SUV

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#1 of 9 AWD - how do I know it's working..at what point do the rear wheels kick in by satz24

Aug 01, 2007 (9:44 pm)

hi all
 
recently bought an AWD CX7.
 
Took it up to the snow and got bogged in just 6 inches of snow at the front axle. The back wheels had hardly any snow under them...
 
I tried to reverse very gently with TCS off, but all that happened was the front wheels spun freely, which dug the car further in. The rear wheels only started turning if I pressed the accelerator a bit harder. Finally had to get towed by a 'real 4wd'!!!
 
Is this how the CX7 awd system is meant to work? I thought the rear wheels would start turning as soon as the fronts lost traction?
 
Could someone please advise me. I don't think there's a problem with the car but it's something that's rather hard to test (without driving 3 hours to the snow and getting towed again!). I've kinda lost confidence in its ability now...
 
thanks in advance
 
satz

#2 of 9 Re: AWD - how do I know it's working..at what point do the rear wheels kick in [satz24] by vbbuilt

Aug 02, 2007 (4:38 am)

Replying to: satz24 (Aug 01, 2007 9:44 pm)
Other board members, chime in, if I'm not accurate here.
 
Your email didn't mention if you tried to get "unstuck" with TCS engaged. TCS and AWD work seemlessly and there are no "indicators" that show when power or what percentage of power, is transferred to the rear.
 
Sometimes, all of this technology fails us. You only disengage TCS when other options fail. In the old days, before 4wd/AWD, if one got stuck in snow, one way was to rock the car, back and forth, by repeatedly shifting between fwd and reverse. Such is true with the CX-7, IF you disengage the TCS. TCS automatically senses loss of traction, then applies power to the rear axle. If AWD doesn't pull you free, you have to try the old fashioned methods.
 
BTW, CX-7 is basically a very light-duty off-road vehicle. It wasn't designed for extremes, so don't put too much confidence in the CX-7 to pull you out of a jam. Here in northern VA last winter, we had one pretty good snow storm and dumped about 1.5 feet snow is some spots. My CX-7 handled all of that with ease and I was bookin' down the freeway, when other drivers were ploddin along at 15 MPH in the slow lane. Here I was, troopin' along at 45 MPH ! I WAS IMPRESSED!
 
Vince.

#3 of 9 Re: AWD - how do I know it's working..at what point do the rear wheels kick in [vbbuilt] by aviboy97

Aug 04, 2007 (6:42 am)

Replying to: vbbuilt (Aug 02, 2007 4:38 am)
Correct. He should have left the TSC on. Even so, only 50% of the power will be delivered to the rear.
 
My father in law has had no problems driving in the snow.

#4 of 9 Re: AWD - how do I know it's working..at what point do the rear wheels kick in [aviboy97] by treepeony

Aug 05, 2007 (5:42 am)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 04, 2007 6:42 am)
I wonder what condition the tires were in?
For my wife's new cx-7, I will buy winter tires. In massachusetts, they are worth having. Not mandatory though.

#5 of 9 tried TCS off and then on by satz24

Aug 05, 2007 (7:40 pm)

hi guys
 
thanks for the responses to date. I actually tried both TCS off as well as on. Neither seemed to make any difference to the rear wheels getting power...
 
The tyres were new (the car was only 1 week old!) and were the Goodyear RSA mud and snow...
 
cheers
 
Satz

#6 of 9 Re: tried TCS off and then on [satz24] by treepeony

Aug 06, 2007 (3:36 am)

Replying to: satz24 (Aug 05, 2007 7:40 pm)
you might want to check the performance of the tires at tirerack.com. They evaluate tire performance in various conditions.

#7 of 9 Re: tried TCS off and then on [satz24] by bdyment

Aug 06, 2007 (6:33 am)

Replying to: satz24 (Aug 05, 2007 7:40 pm)
Something is not working correctly. I would take it back to the dealer. Power should have sent to the rear wheels--at least a certain measurable amount of it.

#8 of 9 Re: AWD - how do I know it's working..at what point do the rear wheels kick in [treepeony] by fonefixer

Aug 06, 2007 (8:00 am)

Replying to: treepeony (Aug 05, 2007 5:42 am)
I drove an AWD CX-7 through last winter with the standard Goodyear all season tires and it drove excellent with no problems. Your Massachusetts winter should be roughly equal to our Minnesota winters, so I feel that snow tires should be unneeded on this model.

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