Mazda CX-5 Forums

General Category => Modification Projects => Topic started by: rmvf on September 01, 2016, 10:21:10 pm

Title: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: rmvf on September 01, 2016, 10:21:10 pm
Folks after taking some advice I want to start a general thread on modifying the CX-5,  whether it's what your planning on doing or just on the wish list. whether it's with the engine/interior or exterior, Reason for this is I would like to hear or see what might be happening right now out there, now I know this isn't really the right kind of vehicle to be messing with like this but as you can now pick up second hand cx5 for less than 10k, some people will start to dabble, for me my cx5 in now 52 months old and after doing some research I've found a engineering company that can modify the 2 ltr petrol engine with remap  ( bbrgti.com )also i would like a stainless rear exhaust system from the USA once the time comes to change it. If you have done mods please post in correct threads, thanks
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Willpower on September 01, 2016, 11:22:54 pm
This is a good idea for projects that come outside of the Visual & Interior Modification boards that are already available.
Please join in if you are considering a project. 

Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Flippersaki on September 18, 2016, 08:25:48 pm
I have done some cosmetic modifications to my 2.2 diesel AWD in Soul Red listed below

 I have put some red pipping inside my vehicle on  the dash etc from wish
Red CX5 rubber mats for all the holes doors drinks holders etc from wish
Red steering wheel cover from Aldi
Stick on plastic brushed steel effect covers on the air vents and door openers
Front facing recording camera under the mirror.
Wind deflectors on the Mirrors

Just ordered running boards from ebay £139.99
Just ordered Wind deflectors from ebay £25.05
Chrome stick on strip for along the bottom of the doors from ebay £12.89
Planning on cleaning up the brake callipers and painting them red
May go for chrome effect mirror covers £15.15 from ebay
May go for rear bumper protector outside and inside £64.00 from ebay
Possibly a dog guard
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: rmvf on September 18, 2016, 08:31:09 pm
I'm planning on doing the wind deflectors aswell:) my sons girlfriend has them on her A3, look good.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Huxie on September 29, 2016, 03:08:58 pm
Thought I'd podt a picture of my wind deflectors for reference. They're ClimAir brand, not the cheapest but I had the same brand on my last car so stuck with them for the CX-5.

(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r619/BubbaShaboo/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2255_zps1wovwkrw.jpg)
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Deeps on September 29, 2016, 04:05:01 pm
They look good and are made over here in Germany. As a YouTube video correctly points out, it is important that accessories are approved (over here that's ABE) if not to run foul of ones insurance company in the event of an accessory (in the context of this post, the wind deflector) flying off and doing damage to others property etc.

Can I ask, did you opt for the clear or coloured variant as it's difficult to ascertain with all the reflections in your posted image?
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Huxie on September 29, 2016, 05:07:44 pm
They're the smoke grey tint. This picture might be better:

(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r619/BubbaShaboo/IMG_2258_zpsysbb8hiu.jpg)
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Deeps on September 29, 2016, 05:57:20 pm
Thanks. Me likey likey so will probably go ahead and order some for myself. Fed up with getting the door armrest/switches wet when opening the window to pay a road Toll or some other such thing. My VW Touran was a killer for this although I suppose most modern cars fall foul of letting water into the car as a result of manufacturers not installing rain gutters into their shell like bodies anymore.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: rmvf on September 29, 2016, 09:07:51 pm
I like them very much and so does the other half so I think I will take the plunge and order a couple of sets. Thanks for the post :)
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Deeps on October 19, 2016, 12:51:16 pm
For those who can't resist changing/modifying every aspect of their car  ;D ;D ;D a look through the Japanese version of the accessories catalogue might offer additional suggestions. http://www2.mazda.co.jp/accessories/web_cat/cx-5/pc.html
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: SmileyT on October 19, 2016, 04:36:15 pm
For those who can't resist changing/modifying every aspect of their car  ;D ;D ;D a look through the Japanese version of the accessories catalogue might offer additional suggestions. http://www2.mazda.co.jp/accessories/web_cat/cx-5/pc.html

Some of that is excellent, others are just loopy !!
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: RogB on February 26, 2018, 01:34:50 pm
Having just moved over to a 2015 '64' CX-5 from a 2013 Freelander 2 Im looking at making some minor modifications to my new toy.

Nothing dramatic, but mainly focused on interior/exterior lighting. Ive looked in the manual and there isn't a list of what type of bulbs are used in which light unit (i.e. 501 bulb for sidelight/number plate)

Does anyone have a list of what bulbs are needed specifically for the interior overhead lights, the feeble sidelight bulbs, and the stock DRL units within the main headlight housing.

Im wanting to upgrade all of them to LED or equivalent to improve them (and yes I am fully aware of CANBUS and possible requirement for resistors etc as the modification threads on the Freelander forum are pretty extensive)

TIA

Rog
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Ant on February 27, 2018, 02:34:20 pm
Hi

If you have a 64 plate Sport Nav, is it not the facelift version? If it is, all of the exterior front lights you mention will be LED already and not replaceable other than by changing the whole unit. My ‘15’ reg Sport Nav had all LED front lights apart from the indicators.

The interior lights are the festoon type - the smallest size I believe and are readily available. I had all LED interior lights in my CX-5, including the glove box (bit of a fiddle to change), boot light and vanity mirror lights). I’ll check the size and post back later when I’m at home. Can include a link to the place I bought my interior LEDs as well.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: RogB on February 27, 2018, 02:39:16 pm
thanks for the reply.

mine was registered Jan 15 on a 64 plate but is the pre facelift I believe. It has Xenon projector dipped/main lights but the rest appear to be halogen bulbs, possibly 501 in the headlight units..... how do I get to them by the way ??
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Ant on February 27, 2018, 10:52:00 pm
Sorry, I got muddled with the 64/15/65 plates/years!

In the manual for the facelift version, the bulb types (including for non-LED versions, assuming they are the same in the pre-facelift models) are given in the specs on page 9-9 and instructions for changing the front bulbs on pages 6-54 and 6-55. You need to partially remove the wheel arch liner and get to the bulbholders that way. It’s a bit of a fiddle but it doesn’t take too long.

The interior overhead lights are 31mm festoons. I bought mine and the vanity mirror bulbs (which look like glass fuses) here:

https://www.auto-lighting.co.uk/eng_m_Lights-Bulbs_LED-Bulbs-Lamps_Interior-LED-Bulbs-Lamps_C3W-Festoon-31mm-81639.html (https://www.auto-lighting.co.uk/eng_m_Lights-Bulbs_LED-Bulbs-Lamps_Interior-LED-Bulbs-Lamps_C3W-Festoon-31mm-81639.html)

(https://thumb.ibb.co/gpJ7Hc/03_D5_C9_FC_F7_B2_4437_AB02_EE71268_EE56_E.png) (https://ibb.co/gpJ7Hc)

Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: RogB on February 28, 2018, 07:58:30 am
brilliant  :)
cheers for the info, thankyou
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: MikeTB on March 02, 2018, 10:53:04 am
I have replaced the running lamp bulbs and the boot light bulb with LEDs. The original boot lamp is a joke as you cannot see anything. The LED is the same wattage so is really effective.
When I checked the price of the running lamp bulbs I decided they should go. A pair of LEDs were cheaper than one normal bulb! They are brighter as well.
I got some nice rubber mats for winter use and now use them all the time. Far more practical.
Only other addition was a set of mud flaps. Easy to fit and keep the lower rear much cleaner.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: RogB on March 02, 2018, 12:08:55 pm
which LED bulbs did you get for the DRL please Mike (I assume you have the ones built into the headlight unit )
Also which bulb for the boot ?
Im wanting to change the sidelight bulbs to LED as well as DRL so im guessing access is via the wheel arches for both bulbs ?

TIA

RogB
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: twabrigs on March 02, 2018, 05:05:17 pm
I'd be keen to change the boot bulb as well, if I knew which LED to buy
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: rmvf on March 02, 2018, 06:51:40 pm
I'd be keen to change the boot bulb as well, if I knew which LED to buy

im certainly up for that aswell
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Ant on March 03, 2018, 09:08:42 pm
I think the bootlamp is a 28mm festoon type. I did change the bulb in my CX-5’s boot for an LED and it was a big improvement over the standard bulb. Mazda also do a boot lighting upgrade kit.

Might be worth having a look at this thread:

http://mazdacx5forums.co.uk/index.php?topic=265.0
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: twabrigs on March 04, 2018, 11:18:36 am
Thanks for that Ant, helpful link. Am worried about frying the electrics just by changing a bulb so will probably leave the boot as it is. I've managed with it like that for four years anyway.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Gclark87 on March 04, 2018, 02:00:29 pm
Just unplug the bulb holder before removing bulb to minimise and chance of shorting and damaging the rear body control module. There is a tech briefing from Mazda online about it used by their workshop staff.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Deeps on March 08, 2018, 03:25:14 pm
Perhaps a few members will find this interesting reading. I've copied it from another forum (caravan) of which I am a member and just to put it into some perspective, the topic concerns towbar electrics but like most forum posts nowadays, the subject matter wonders off from time to time.  ;D ;D ;D

Many modern vehicles use traditional circuits, CAN Bus circuits and Multiplexed circuits all at the same time. 

To expose and detail common totally incorrect marketing ploy is the so called "Can Bus Compatible" after market replacement LED light replacements.

Not only are these illegal in the UK (read the small print of many more reputable suppliers, like Halfords etc, where they will state "not road legal / for public road use, etc") but they have nothing to do with CAN BUS compatibility.  CAN BUS is a communications protocol.  For a PC/Tablet/Smart Phone.... analogy think USB.  The real truth is that most modern vehicles have "bulb failure" detection systems.  In almost all cases these systems monitor the expected current to be drawn by a light bulb.  In reality the system (non intelligent) just looks for a moderate current.  When people fit LEDs the expected moderate current falls below the normal expected filament bulb value and the vehicle system throws a bulb failure.

To get around this the so called "CAN Bus compatible"  LED replacement bulbs have internal dummy loads to fool the current sensing circuits of the car.  This has NOTHING to do with CAN Bus etc. etc.

Remember - CAN Bus is a communications protocol for intelligent devices / nodes in a vehicle.  To my knowledge there has not been, or is, an LED light replacement unit/bulb that has a CAN Bus interface/computer integrated into the unit for commercial automotive use.

HOWEVER!!!! - One can have a CAN Bus rear light cluster/node.  This will vade the usual side light, braking, fog, reversing etc. lights but instead of these lights being fed with switched power via the switches on the dashboard instead the switches send a low power on/off signal to the vehicles Body Computer/Node.  This on/off signal (say for the brake light) is digitally coded as a directed command (target and request) onto the vehicles CAN Bus (Network) where the target node (say rear left light cluster) receives and decodes the message "turn rear light on".  Dead easy to do, reduces manufacturing cabling cost, etc. etc.


Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: MikeTB on April 03, 2018, 04:33:59 pm
On my 2013 I replaced the DRLs with LEDs which are brighter but a pair cost less than a single standard bulb.
Most useful was replacing the boot light which could only be described as feeble. An LED with the same wattage now gives a really good light at night.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Keith on July 18, 2019, 10:45:13 pm
Thought I'd podt a picture of my wind deflectors for reference. They're ClimAir brand, not the cheapest but I had the same brand on my last car so stuck with them for the CX-5.

(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r619/BubbaShaboo/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2255_zps1wovwkrw.jpg)

Hi, do these wind deflectors stop the woomf,woomf,woomf noise when you only have one rear window open?
Thanks,
               Keith.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: Huxie on July 21, 2019, 03:38:08 pm
It doesn’t woomf, woomf, woomf until the window is approx halfway down or further. Don’t know if that is the same as a CX-5 without deflectors.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: MikeTB on July 29, 2019, 03:55:49 pm
which LED bulbs did you get for the DRL please Mike (I assume you have the ones built into the headlight unit )
Also which bulb for the boot ?
Im wanting to change the sidelight bulbs to LED as well as DRL so im guessing access is via the wheel arches for both bulbs ?

TIA

RogB

Sorry I never answered your questions before.
One of my running lamp LEDs failed. I found some which look better quality and are not so bright.
 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B072XL5374/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B072XL5374/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
The boot is a 28 mm festoon, widely available. No problem after 2 years.
Title: Re: Mechanical and visual modifications to the CX-5
Post by: baz2435 on August 14, 2019, 06:50:54 pm
So recently made a few alterations to the CX5
It’s had a K&N panel  air filter for a while. First thing I buy for all my new cars.

I’ve just had a Quantum remap. Although not massive BHP 10-15% or Torque 5-10% gains overall drive ability has improved, a bit more punch through the range and better lower down the revs.

Also fitted some Eibach lowering springs. Nothing drastic, drop is about 30mm all around. Much improved ride and visually appealing to my eye. Wife hasn’t noticed friend who is a car nut noticed straight away.

Had a tow bar fitted too. That’s probably not the type of modification we’re discussing here.