Performance in Snow/Ice

[CX-7owner]

The system will flash a light if there is a a big difference from the front and rear wheels, if the system has a problem the light will stay on, if it is on contact your Mazda dealer, and if you're trying to go through a snow storm in the OEM all seasons you're really asking for a let down.

 

[Twenty somethin]

if you're trying to go through a snow storm in the OEM all seasons you're really asking for a let down.

THAT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT !! Obviously it is Buyer beware however I have never had to or heard of anything so crazy as to have to buy snow tires for an AWD vehicle. Maybe a sports car but an AWD SUV that is Ridiculous..

 

[Twenty somethin]

The AWD system is one of the most advanced systems on the market.

So what, just because a system is advanced that does not mean that it performs well.

There is either something wrong with your car or you need better tires for the conditions you drive in. Don't blame the whole car for the limited traction of the tires. I have Nokian WR all-weather tires on my CX-7 with the same AWD system and it is absolutely amazing in the winter.

Better Tires?? If that is the answer then I think Mazda is acting irrsponsibley
by marketing this vehicle as an AWD Suv. They need to provide a disclaimer to the customer about the need for different tires. My goodness this is driving in an average midwestern snowstorm not the frozen tundra of Canada or Green bay Wi

 

[live2ski]

That's why I went with the Touring - for the 18" tires. 20" tires are for SoCal and Florida. Have you priced out 20" snows - yikes!

 

[CX-7owner]

Nearly all All Seasons can only handle light snow, not ice and whatever else you're trying to have them do, this is common sense.

The way it operates is advanced, but it is of no use if you have tires on it that cannot handle the elements you're trying to drive in.

 

[EtoileBrilliant]

As somebody who lives in Sweden where winter tires are compulsory from November to February, I was bought up to believe snow driving was all about stopping and starting. AWD will only help propel the vehicle, in order to stop on snow and ice, there's no substitute for winter tires

 

[Twenty somethin]

I agree living in sweeden snow tires may be necessary I also agree that snow tires would enhance the vehicles performance. However as somebody who lives in the chicagoland area for my whole life and has driven and or owned several SUV vehicles the CX-9 is the ONLY vehicle that had difficulty making it up my driveway and is also the only suv I have heard of putting snow tires on...Also if the all seasons are so bad the customer should be warned or some different options should be offerred not left to find out how poor the vehicle performs the first snowstorm.

 

[CX-7owner]

The Acadia awaits.
The AWD works with how much throttle you're giving it so floor it and see if that gets you up the driveway.
Your neighbor is a jerk by the way.

 

[CX-7owner]

The CX-9 is probably the ONLY SUV you've had with these all-seasons.

 

[blackcx9]

No need to buy other tires. I have a 2008 GT and it is great in the snow and ice.

 

[CX-7owner]

Well then someone needs to get their car checked out, or go to a driving school or something, the AWD on my CX-7 is flawless, not to sound like a fanboy but it does work when it should, and properly, no one else is complaining about it either.

 

[CX9ZoomR]

I agree that you shouldn't need snow tires in most winter driving conditions here in Illinois. I've never had them on our SUVs in the past, only all-seasons, and they handled almost all winter driving conditions.

I would take your CX-9 to the dealer and have them check out the AWD. It may not be functioning the way it should.

Good Luck and let us know if they find anything wrong!

 

[Mazda3]

First off the CX-9 is marketed as a sporty CUV with a sports sedan type ride. Its not a traditional SUV. The Acadia drives like a dump truck compared to the CX-9. Some people like dump trucks, I don't. The only reason I'm driving a CX-7 instead of a CX-9 is because the 9 wasn't out yet when I was buying and I wasn't sure if we needed something that big with only 1 kid.

The AWD system in the CX-9 is more advanced than the Acadia. The CX-9 being a sporty driving CUV comes with sporty 20" tires which improve the handling. If you want optimum winter traction you need winter tires. I could get by without winters on my CX-7, but its so much more fun and stress free to drive with them.

Having said that the CX-9 GT does come with Bridgestone Duellers which are a pretty decent all-season radial, I have a hard time believing the traction is that bad. Maybe in that size they change the compound of the tire to the sporty side?

At anyrate the car is not a POS and the AWD is not crap just because the tires aren't proper for winter driving conditions. If I was you I would consider trading the existing tires in on a set of Nokian WR's or Goodyear Fortera triple treads. The are both the latest tire technology and will give your CX-9 great winter traction in an all season tire.

 

[Twenty somethin]

thanks

 

[kosh2258]

There are 2 lights. One is a vehicle with squiggly marks behind it, this is the one that comes on when the DSC/TCS is activated. There is also a 4wd light that comes on when there is a problem.

The page I quoted is discussing the AWD and the AWD light, not the DSC/TCS.

I'm well aware of the difference.

Ted

 

[New EnglandCX-9]

I agree living in sweeden snow tires may be necessary I also agree that snow tires would enhance the vehicles performance. However as somebody who lives in the chicagoland area for my whole life and has driven and or owned several SUV vehicles the CX-9 is the ONLY vehicle that had difficulty making it up my driveway and is also the only suv I have heard of putting snow tires on...Also if the all seasons are so bad the customer should be warned or some different options should be offerred not left to find out how poor the vehicle performs the first snowstorm.

I couldn't agree more. My CX-9 GT with the 20 inch rims is horrible in the snow. I loive in Nh and this car is all over the road. I almost got in three accidents becuase the car will not stop. It can barely get out of a plowed driveway. The dealer wants to charge me $1,000 for 4 new snow tires and then $80.00 to change them out come summer time. I have owned many SUV's and never had a problem liek this. I'm ready to trade it in for a Touraeg. I complained to Mazda corporate and they explained that is was up to the dealership to disclose information on the tires. I'm sorry for an AWD vehicle this car should not be all over the road like a corvette in a blizzard!

 

[todd92]

I have a FWD GT, I put snow tires on all my cars, AWD is a waste. This car, like all my other cars with snow tires, is actually FUN to drive in the snow.

AWD does nothing for turning or stopping. The stock 20" tires look marginal at best for the snow. 17" wheels with Blizzaks from the Tire Rack for $1100, including another set of TPMS. Much cheaper than AWD, don't have to suffer the weight, performance and MPG penalty of AWD for the 99% of the time the car isn't driven in snow.

I can see AWD drive if you live in an isolated area or have a really long, steep, shaded driveway. Otherwise, just no reason.

 

[CX-7owner]

AWD is better from a performance stand point, not just all weather road ability.

 

[todd92]

Care to quantify that? Every car that I have checked out that has an AWD version is slower, has less cornering grip and longer braking distances than its 2WD sibling.

 

[CX-7owner]

Drive an AWD in the rain, and try to do that with the FWD variant, FWD understeers and the AWD keeps it in check for the most part, Mazda doesn't supply AWD test vehicles because they just cost more, slower for sure, but once activated offers better handling than FWD, in the rain/snow especially, the FWD CX-7/9 understeers all of the time and is a kill joy.