AWD Query

[Helijock]

Last year I traded in my 10 year old Skoda Superb AWD and bought a 2014 CX5 Sport AWD. Never once did I get stuck in snow with the Skoda, the AWD worked flawlessly throughout the Alps and Pyronees and home in Scotland. I wish I could say the same for Mazda. The first snowfall this winter I got stuck on a slight incline. The AWD did not activate as per the Skoda. I have not found any info in the handbook, the dealer said to switch off the Traction Control which to me seems to defeat the purpose of the TC.
Any help on the subject will be most appreciated.

[Anchorman]

You didn’t get stuck as a result of the Mazda AWD, you got stuck as a result of the conditions. Either the road surface was lower friction or the tyres were different.  A CX5 will go anywhere a Skoda will go but it won’t defy the laws of physics.   What would you like to know about the AWD system?

[Helijock]

Anchorman, thank you for the quick reply. I am confused by the requirement to switch off the traction Control when in snow, is this correct? With the Skoda the AWD came into action without my knowledge and I never once got stuck even without my snow tyres. When I was stuck this year my rear wheels did not activate with the spinning of the front wheels. I really like the car, but this problem, if it is a problem concerns me.

[Anchorman]

The CX5 AWD is astonishing in the snow and it is not only automatic but it is predictive.  There are loads of videos on YouTube showing them being hurled around in deep snow.  They only risk to getting truly stuck is just the same as any other SUV and that is beaching it in very deep snow.  In that event, turning the TRC off might help to get you out of a drift. Otherwise, let it get on with it.  You really shouldn’t worry. 

https://youtu.be/uiVd_8PAmEM

[Fangface]

Last year I traded in my 10 year old Skoda Superb AWD and bought a 2014 CX5 Sport AWD. Never once did I get stuck in snow with the Skoda, the AWD worked flawlessly throughout the Alps and Pyronees and home in Scotland. I wish I could say the same for Mazda. The first snowfall this winter I got stuck on a slight incline. The AWD did not activate as per the Skoda. I have not found any info in the handbook, the dealer said to switch off the Traction Control which to me seems to defeat the purpose of the TC.
Any help on the subject will be most appreciated.

I've used mine in the snow up in Inverness a few times and it has coped very well, better than I would have imagined as I deliberately pushed my luck one time to see if I could get stuck and it pulled out no problem.  I did not have to change the traction control settings at all and the AWD just activated when needed.  I am still running on the same type of tyre that came with the car so nothing special there.

[Helijock]

Fangface,  thanks for that, I still think I have a problem as when I got stuck on a slight incline in only 3 inches of snow the rear wheels did not activate with the spinning of the front wheels. The only answer I received from John Clark Aberdeen was to switch off the Traction control.

[Anchorman]

Fangface,  thanks for that, I still think I have a problem as when I got stuck on a slight incline in only 3 inches of snow the rear wheels did not activate with the spinning of the front wheels. The only answer I received from John Clark Aberdeen was to switch off the Traction control.

Don’t take this the wrong way but it definitely has an AWD badge on the boot lid doesn’t it?  They do a front wheel drive version.

[twabrigs]

Not advising anyone to drive dangerously but if I find a damp roundabout with no traffic, go round it at a decent pace in second and floor it as I take the exit you can feel the car settle and the rear wheels kick in as the front ones lose their grip. Reassures you that the AWD does work.

[Helijock]

Yes, it has the badge. I guess I will have to wait for an oportune moment to check gain.
Thanks for all your comments.

[Iya]

What happened in the end?  Did you get a chance to check?

[Helijock]

No, but there is this winter!

[MikeTB]

Only once in 6 years have I apparently used the AWD. In light snow I deliberately accelerated uphill and a light flashed in the instrument display.

If you are so sure it did not work there must be a chance of a fault somewhere, maybe just a fuse.

as others have said, Youtube has lots of videos of CX5s doing amazing things. And don't forget even Clarkson had fun with one, although he did defeat the city braking!

[BigAl]

a light flashed in the instrument display.

That would have been the TCS warning light, I think. As far as I know, there's no indicator to show what the AWD system is doing. It's always engaged and adapts the power transfer in advance of detecting wheel slip (unlike some other AWD systems)
https://owners-manual.mazda.com/gen/en/cx-5/cx-5_8gj1ee18b/contents/05020400.html

Alan

[Anchorman]

Absolutely right Al. The AWD is working all of the time although it varies from 100% to almost nothing depending on accelerator position and many other inputs.