Lowering an AWD Model

[Throttle Steer]

I am thinking of buying a CX-5. I know for sure I want to lower it a tad with H&R springs but I would also prefer to buy the AWD model. My question is will the springs work the same with the AWD model or could their be a pinion angle issue since there is power going to the rear wheels?

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

No issues here and no known issues.

 

[Ride92]

Well there is the known issue of the rear camber be off and not adjustable unless you get new camber arms. It's a very minor issue and it seems some lower still fall within specs while others are just slightly out of spec

 

[Throttle Steer]

Sweet thanks guys!

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

That is true about the camber, but as far as the axle and shaft, I haven't come across any personally or documented.

 

[bmninada]

In owner's manual its indicated NOT to lower the car as it might throw off the SBS and SBCS (if you have Tech/iActiveSense packages). These are optical/radar driven. I read is some forum where someone was complaining about rear collision warning not working? false alerts? increased after dropping the car.

May not be a big deal but its worth mentioning. I have LED lights and the cutoff is fantastic. Lowering the car means the cutoff will be lowered, not sure how good it'll be then.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I have had 0 issues with my SCBS and I'm lower than H&R. Radar, idk because I don't have it. Light cutoff can be adjusted with a knob.

 

[MikeM.]

I have had 0 issues with my SCBS and I'm lower than H&R. Radar, idk because I don't have it. Light cutoff can be adjusted with a knob.

You haven't noticed any issues with your SCBS but have you ever needed to rely on it yet?

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

No. And I certainly don't rely on pilot AIDS. And I know it works still because I've had it apply itself as I was pushing the brake onc. Also it once it went off as I sped up to garage door and hit the brake. Interesting note about scbs; if you soft disable TCS it turns off... however if you hard disable it, tcs is all the way off but scbs comes back on.

 

[bmninada]

I have had 0 issues with my SCBS and I'm lower than H&R. Radar, idk because I don't have it. Light cutoff can be adjusted with a knob.

Why would the owner's manual say it then? I mean once you lower the car, etc. you'll loose out on available warranty I believe at least w.r.t. suspension, brake, wheel bearings, steering components. Not sure why they would explicitly state it.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Why would the owner's manual say it then? I mean once you lower the car, etc. you'll loose out on available warranty I believe at least w.r.t. suspension, brake, wheel bearings, steering components. Not sure why they would explicitly state it.

Because not all springs are created equal and you could have a set that are level, or nose pointed down/pointed up. So they add a disclaimer instead of laying out technical details as to what angles will adversely affect said systems. Obviously there is more to it than simply how low your car is, because it has to account for things like approaching a hill, coming down from an incline to level etc. So far, leveling springs (pretty much most aftermarket) seem to have no effect on their operation.

 

[16cx-5]

Why would the owner's manual say it then? I mean once you lower the car, etc. you'll loose out on available warranty I believe at least w.r.t. suspension, brake, wheel bearings, steering components. Not sure why they would explicitly state it.

Disagreeable about losing the warranty. Only way you lose it is if the said modification is what caused the issue. If said modification did not cause the issue the dealer has to do any warranty work. If they don't you can take them to court. There was a while court case in this

 

[tibimakai]

I have just had my (stress)cracked windshield replaced. They could have told me, that my lowered car caused that, but they didn't.