2016 CX5 GT AWD reduced power/sluggish acceleration in cold weather

[bxconst]

I noticed in temperatures below -5 C, I have to press the acceleration quite a bit more than usual in order to generate decent speed. The car will eventually accelerate, but it feels ... sluggish. It almost feels like I have the hand brake applied to maybe 10%-15% power, which I obviously don't.
This is noticeable the most when accelerating on highway ramps or when trying to accelerate from let's say 80km/h to 120km/h.
I noticed this issue last winter as well, but everything returned to normal after the temperatures went above 0 C, so I did not think much of it.
This year, with the cold temperatures we've been having in Canada, the issue is more obvious. Maybe the AWD system is kicking in and the car feels a bit sluggish ?
Anyone else noticed this ?

 

[Edinaman]

I've noticed the same thing on my 2014. Here in Minnesota we are having extremely cold temps. At first I thought maybe it was my imagination.

 

[jhu8]

I think this happens with many cars. I don't think anything is wrong with your cx5. My wife was just complaining of this in her 13 Elantra GT and our temps are around 15 degrees F. Does it improve once its warmed up?

 

[bxconst]

I usually try to avoid entering the highway with a cold engine. My observations are with an warm engine. I drove over 100km in cold temperatures with the above symptoms. The next day, temperatures increased and everything was back to normal.

 

[Puyapim]

Just guessing here but the cold air going into the engine might be competing with the computer to warm it up quickly so it’s burning rich for those few minutes after starting. Also, I may be wrong here but doesn’t the awd kick in at a certain temperature (35F) ?

 

[bmninada]

No - this is not the case here. I have a 2016 CX5 GT. The sluggishness is due to the OEM tires - Toyo. I witnessed remarkable sluggishness when starting up from a cold start due to very low temperature. After I switched to winter tires the entire initial sluggishness has vanished. There are threads here which explain the rubber getting hard / soft due to drop in temp. and can be a significant cause for this. As you drive and the rubber heats up - acceleration improves.

 

[jhu8]

Just guessing here but the cold air going into the engine might be competing with the computer to warm it up quickly so it’s burning rich for those few minutes after starting. Also, I may be wrong here but doesn’t the awd kick in at a certain temperature (35F) ?

It doesn't kick in but temperature is a parameter the iactive system monitors that can affect the likelihood of the awd activating. So cold weather doesn't automatically kick in awd, but it makes it more likely to.

No - this is not the case here. I have a 2016 CX5 GT. The sluggishness is due to the OEM tires - Toyo. I witnessed remarkable sluggishness when starting up from a cold start due to very low temperature. After I switched to winter tires the entire initial sluggishness has vanished. There are threads here which explain the rubber getting hard / soft due to drop in temp. and can be a significant cause for this. As you drive and the rubber heats up - acceleration improves.

Interesting, never heard of this. What other all season tires also stop this? I have the Toyo tires and haven't noticed this sluggishness. But I haven't had any other tires though so I can't really compare.

 

[wlong01]

Cold air is denser than warm air so your car requires more power to push through the same area of air. Optimum operating efficiency is achieved when ambient air temp is around 65 degrees.

 

[shadonoz]

Cold air is denser than warm air so your car requires more power to push through the same area of air. Optimum operating efficiency is achieved when ambient air temp is around 65 degrees.

(humpleg) (gah) (butt) (gtfo) (screwy) (rolleyes)

 

[brillo54]

No - this is not the case here. I have a 2016 CX5 GT. The sluggishness is due to the OEM tires - Toyo. I witnessed remarkable sluggishness when starting up from a cold start due to very low temperature. After I switched to winter tires the entire initial sluggishness has vanished. There are threads here which explain the rubber getting hard / soft due to drop in temp. and can be a significant cause for this. As you drive and the rubber heats up - acceleration improves.

Another benefit of most winter tire setups is a reduction in unsprung weight and rotational mass. Many GT owners go from the stock 19's to either 17's or even 16's. This can easily save 5-10 pounds per corner. Personally, I saved 13 lbs per corner (from 59.5 to 46) by going the 16" route. It's easy to feel the acceleration difference when I switch to my winter tires.

Also, with the cold temps that we've had lately, don't forget to double check your tire pressure. Rule of thumb is 1 psi drop for every 10 degree F lower temperature (don't know what that converts to in C and kPa). It's easy to be have low tire pressure in frigid temps and affect performance.

 

[shadonoz]

Lubrication. Most, if not all, moving parts in the drivetrain are lubricated. Most, if not all, [liquid and/or petroleum based] lubricants become more viscous when cold. Higher viscosity yields more drag. More drag will certainly be perceived as "sluggishness" when extremely cold.

 

[Puyapim]

Lubrication. Most, if not all, moving parts in the drivetrain are lubricated. Most, if not all, [liquid and/or petroleum based] lubricants become more viscous when cold. Higher viscosity yields more drag. More drag will certainly be perceived as "sluggishness" when extremely cold.

How thick does a 0w-20 oil get?

 

[shadonoz]

How thick does a 0w-20 oil get?

Way thicker at -30 than at 0, way thicker at 0 than 30, etc. There are viscosity tables on the web if you need specifics.

But I'm not talking about just engine oil. Transmission, diffs, even bearings... they all stiffen up when it's cold.

Just like people.

 

[brillo54]

But I'm not talking about just engine oil. Transmission, diffs, even bearings... they all stiffen up when it's cold.

Just like people.

LOL. I resemble that last remark.

 

[Puyapim]

So do I.

 

[raj55]

The first 10-15 min is tough in cold weather and it is due to both thick engine oil in that weather and the thick automatic gear oil causing slow and delayed shifts. Every thing gets better as the engine and the gear box warms up. It happens even with winter tyres in place so I do not think the tyres are to blame. Incidently my fuel consumption has shot up from 7.8 lit/100Km to 8.0L/100 km as the temperature has dropped below zero C.

 

[Monterra]

Another benefit of most winter tire setups is a reduction in unsprung weight and rotational mass. Many GT owners go from the stock 19's to either 17's or even 16's. This can easily save 5-10 pounds per corner. Personally, I saved 13 lbs per corner (from 59.5 to 46) by going the 16" route. It's easy to feel the acceleration difference when I switch to my winter tires.

Also, with the cold temps that we've had lately, don't forget to double check your tire pressure. Rule of thumb is 1 psi drop for every 10 degree F lower temperature (don't know what that converts to in C and kPa). It's easy to be have low tire pressure in frigid temps and affect performance.

^^This. I'm on and a big supporter of winter rubber but other than unsprung weight reduction ie if kept constant softer deeper tread hurts more than helps unless the Toyos are no longer hooking up which seems pretty unlikely. Btw I notice reduction in power in very cold also..showing -4F right now

 

[bmninada]

At least with humans - not everything stiffens up, some part actually softens up more.......LOL

 

[Red MC]

Another benefit of most winter tire setups is a reduction in unsprung weight and rotational mass. Many GT owners go from the stock 19's to either 17's or even 16's. This can easily save 5-10 pounds per corner. Personally, I saved 13 lbs per corner (from 59.5 to 46) by going the 16" route. It's easy to feel the acceleration difference when I switch to my winter tires.

If the O.D. of your winter tires is smaller, you're also getting an across-the-board gearing reduction. That probably makes more of a difference in acceleration than the weight reduction.

 

[Monterra]

Good point red but a 13lb w/t difference is pretty huge and on something without a ton of power and does make a more substantial diff imo assuming keeping od within a few %. I speak from experience as my winter set up is a bit taller (235/65-17) but lighter by 7 or 8 lbs and it feels a bit snappier. Vs when i added 3 or 4 lbs to the 19s(235/55-19 pirelli scorpions so a bit taller too) but it literally felt like i dropped anchor..fe also suffered immediately.