FWD or AWD?

I got the AWD today. So far the mileage has been respectable looking at the instant MPG meter on the dash. The average is 14.5 (not sure how it is so low, probably from sitting around running in the lot).
 
I got the AWD today. So far the mileage has been respectable looking at the instant MPG meter on the dash. The average is 14.5 (not sure how it is so low, probably from sitting around running in the lot).


If you hold down the 'info' button on the wheel for a couple of seconds, it will reset the averages.
 
O-Yes. The owners manual is read and re-read several times by me and often used as a reference as the months and years roll by. Ed
 
Regardless of FWD or AWD, snow tires should always be bought in sets of 4.
OP, until you've passed the break-in period, your fuel mileage will look poor.
 
Well I read it last night and saw the notation in small print where you hold the button to reset. I didn't learn anything new though just from the drive to/from the dealer. All seems pretty straightforward to understand. I need to look at the fat book now more closely regarding the TPMS and a few other things then I'll be good. I didn't notice til now it takes 0/20 oil. I gotta get rid of all my 5/30 synth I have. I think my dad and bro can use it, I hope. So far I love the car. I hate going up hill and seeing that instant MPG drop into the low 20s! I forgot to look at the average after my commute but it should be in the high 20s now. Way better than the 17.6 I had as an average in the Isuzu...love it!
 
Regardless of FWD or AWD, snow tires should always be bought in sets of 4.
Exactly. To have snows on front and All Seasons on the rear is inviting a spin out at every use of the brakes. The weight of the car shifts to the front under braking, thus making the rear more likely to slide. Combine that with less traction in the rear and you have a recipe for disaster.
 
Yes, matched sets of 4 tires as per Mazda CX-5 owners manual for all versions (fwd and awd).
 
Having driven a few small FWD only vehicles in my past I much prefer the AWD on any vehicle I buy. I also live in the Chicago area and commute 45 miles 1 way to work. The CX-5 has handled beautifully in the sometimes snow covered roads. There's been several times this winter I drove through 4-5 inches of snow in places to get to work. I'm very happy I had the AWD in my CX-5. I'm willing to give up a couple MPG's when the weather is nasty. I've been averaging 28-29 MPG to and from work. Most of that is 40-50 MPH with a ton of traffic lights. Very happy with the performance so far. We also have to deal with heavy rain from time to time in the spring. Sometimes it rains hard enough there will be standing water. The AWD system helps in those situations also. I do agree driving sensible in whatever conditions is the right thing to do.
 
2WD SUVs are mainly for people that don't want the image of driving a station wagon or minivan.

The reason why I bought my CX-5 is because there is no decent reasonably price wagon in this country. Something like this:

2014-mazda-6-station-wagon-2.jpg
 
Having driven a few small FWD only vehicles in my past I much prefer the AWD on any vehicle I buy. I also live in the Chicago area and commute 45 miles 1 way to work. The CX-5 has handled beautifully in the sometimes snow covered roads. There's been several times this winter I drove through 4-5 inches of snow in places to get to work. I'm very happy I had the AWD in my CX-5. I'm willing to give up a couple MPG's when the weather is nasty. I've been averaging 28-29 MPG to and from work. Most of that is 40-50 MPH with a ton of traffic lights. Very happy with the performance so far. We also have to deal with heavy rain from time to time in the spring. Sometimes it rains hard enough there will be standing water. The AWD system helps in those situations also. I do agree driving sensible in whatever conditions is the right thing to do.

My guess is the drive from the rear wheels will be asleep most of the time in those conditions (especially wet roads). My experience is it takes an age to wake up and be of any use. I bought AWD because it's pretty much the only model available unless I ordered and waited, AWD is very common here. Better to have it than not, but so far, with winter tires on since Nov, I think it have not had any real use for it.

Check out 2:10s and 3:35s in this video and you see what I mean. Not much would get up this wet grass slope on normal tires, but the CX5 is pretty lame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSj9UEVYI8o
 
Had the CX-5 in hilly areas with snow on Sun and Mon, no issues with grip on the stock 19" Toyo A23. Felt the AWD kick in immediately (by that I mean no loss of traction).
 
Check out 2:10s and 3:35s in this video and you see what I mean. Not much would get up this wet grass slope on normal tires, but the CX5 is pretty lame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSj9UEVYI8o

um, you do realize the Mazda is FWD not AWD and it has summer tires, don't you? That video is stupid comparing a 2WD to two 4wd vehicles, and the bmw has snow tires as well. If the cars were evenly equipped it would be better but even then, they do some things in the video that make the comparison null.
 
The reason why I bought my CX-5 is because there is no decent reasonably price wagon in this country. Something like this:

2014-mazda-6-station-wagon-2.jpg

Your vehicle looks decidedly different, there are no black wheel well liners or along the bottom. Did you remove those? Looks good but not sure I'd want mine that low. Do the wheels rub? Are they 19s? What didmyou do to lower it?
 

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