2024 CX-5 with 5,000 km...A few questions

davemsc

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2024 CX-5
Hey everyone,Been a while since I posted, but we got a brand new CX-5 NA (No CDA) in August - we are in Nova Scotia, Canada. We have about 5000km on it, and for the most part, we are happy, but I do have a few questions, and thought I'd throw them out here. Thanks in advance for the answers:

1. Is it normal to have a slight play in the steering wheel? If set normally in the driveway not moving and the car on, I can turn it left or right a touch and it feels loose - is that normal?. I have a 2013 mazda 3 and this does not happen. It also has a whine/Whirring in it when turning it back to center from backing out of a driveway for example. Is that just the electronic steering (This is the first car I've had with it)

2. I am down about 2/3 quart of oil. I'm hoping this is just due to the car being new and that should not really happen on the next oil change?

3. The transmission is definitley not super smooth. Seems to be a bit of slipping between 2nd and 3rd when not totally warmed up. Normal? There is a video out there about a reset/relearn of the transmission, but I was under the impression that is to unlearn bad drving habits over the years - not us driving it for 5000km? Thoughts on that? Some people are saying it's normal....some are having their transmissions replaced.

Thanks so much everyone! GReatly appreciated!
Cheers
Dave
 
1) idunno

2) seems pretty common for fluids to be on the low side from factory. (Or are you saying that it has dropped 2/3 of a quart from you checking it new?)

3) the transmission will unlock the torque converter ("slip") under 70°F fluid temperature to help it warm up faster. It will also slip it some depending on acceleration requirements instead of a downshift
 
3. The transmission is definitley not super smooth. Seems to be a bit of slipping between 2nd and 3rd when not totally warmed up. Normal? There is a video out there about a reset/relearn of the transmission, but I was under the impression that is to unlearn bad drving habits over the years - not us driving it for 5000km? Thoughts on that? Some people are saying it's normal....some are having their transmissions replaced.
I also experienced this in my 2024, it got better as I got more miles on the car and no longer occurs. I wouldn't be concerned at this point, you have powertrain warranty if you should need it.
 
1) idunno

2) seems pretty common for fluids to be on the low side from factory. (Or are you saying that it has dropped 2/3 of a quart from you checking it new?)

3) the transmission will unlock the torque converter ("slip") under 70°F fluid temperature to help it warm up faster. It will also slip it some depending on acceleration requirements instead of a downshift
The oil is definitely going down. It was close to full first time I checked. Now it's about a 1/3 above the bottom hole in the dipstick.
This is my 4th Mazda, but the first one brand new. All I know is none of the other ones lost any oil, so I'm just curious
 
Engine should not be losing any oil. Are you certain this isn't reading variability?

My transmission seems less eager to lock up/upshift before warming up.

It also has a whine/Whirring in it when turning it back to center from backing out of a driveway for example. Is that just the electronic steering (This is the first car I've had with it)
This does not sound normal for a new CX-5, and I've had several.
 
Engine should not be losing any oil. Are you certain this isn't reading variability?

My transmission seems less eager to lock up/upshift before warming up.


This does not sound normal for a new CX-5, and I've had several.
Yeah when I go on for the first oil change, I'm mentioning it
And yeah the oil is definitely going down. I always check it cold (before use). And it's showing that difference. Like I said, I've had multiple Mazdas and none ever did this... But I've never had them new so I'm not sure if it just happens when the engine is brand new or not. Some say yes... Some day no. Other than these issues, we really love it!
 
1. Is it normal to have a slight play in the steering wheel? If set normally in the driveway not moving and the car on, I can turn it left or right a touch and it feels loose - is that normal?.
Yes.
I have a 2013 mazda 3 and this does not happen. It also has a whine/Whirring in it when turning it back to center from backing out of a driveway for example.
Not normal.
Is that just the electronic steering (This is the first car I've had with it)
I believe your 2013 also has an electric rack.
2. I am down about 2/3 quart of oil. I'm hoping this is just due to the car being new and that should not really happen on the next oil change?
Not normal.
3. The transmission is definitley not super smooth. Seems to be a bit of slipping between 2nd and 3rd when not totally warmed up. Normal?
No. Unless you're just talking about clutch lock/unlocking. Can you post a video?
 
I have a 2023 and none of those seem normal or at least mine did not have any of those issues..
 
Yes.

Not normal.

I believe your 2013 also has an electric rack.

Not normal.

No. Unless you're just talking about clutch lock/unlocking. Can you post a video?
I can try and get a video this weekend. It's basically when not warmed up yet and I'm giving it some gas and going from 2nd to 3rd you can get some hesitation to shift, then you can see the rpms jump up and then you get the shift. Didn't happen in any other gear..... But again, once warmed up it seems to go away for the most part.

I am kind of concerned about the oil though...... Fingers crossed it's just the engine braking in lol
 
I can try and get a video this weekend. It's basically when not warmed up yet and I'm giving it some gas and going from 2nd to 3rd you can get some hesitation to shift, then you can see the rpms jump up and then you get the shift. Didn't happen in any other gear..... But again, once warmed up it seems to go away for the most part.

I started noticing my gearbox do the exact same thing in cold weather, but with close to 300,000KM on the original gearbox. Regular transmission services.

At your mileage, that's certainly not normal. You can try to do the reset, it should help temporarily, but won't fix the underlying issue. I'd talk to your dealer about these things asap.
I am kind of concerned about the oil though...... Fingers crossed it's just the engine braking in lol

I would be too. Even an engine that's breaking in should not be consuming this much oil.
 
If steering feels too light, make sure the tires are not overinflated. Dealers often deliver their cars to the buyer with tires inflated to 45 psi or above.
 
No no....it's not that it feels light. it feels loose( like a bit of play in the steering wheel. If you have the car on, the steering wheel normal pointing straight and the car in park, rock the steering wheel back and forth a small bit quickly- mine feels loose and has a bit of a clunk noise. Again, this might be normal, but all I know is my 2013 mazda 3 doesn't do it. there is no looseness feeling at all (but this car has power steering fluid).

And regarding light steering, with the 19 inch alloys, it is the exact opposite lol. It almost feels too stiff - I didn't notice it on the test drive, but I sure am noticing it on our vehicle. Almost to the point where I am thinking something is wrong with the electric steering...but I have read it is a very heavy feeling in the cx5

I never got around to getting a video of the RPM issue - I will as soon as I can.
thanks all
 
1. Is it normal to have a slight play in the steering wheel? If set normally in the driveway not moving and the car on, I can turn it left or right a touch and it feels loose - is that normal?. I have a 2013 mazda 3 and this does not happen. It also has a whine/Whirring in it when turning it back to center from backing out of a driveway for example. Is that just the electronic steering

Have had a 2016 CX-5 GT AWD and a 2012 Mazda 3. Both with power steering. I noticed the difference as well. (Comparing at 80K miles and at 125K miles.)

The Mazda3 had "tight" steering with almost no slop. Point and shoot, in other words, almost as exact as a Miata, though not quite as quick-turning. The CX-5, by comparison, definitely has more looseness in the steering, at least initially. Nice for the highway, I suppose, but the Mazda3 would almost jump halfway to the next lane if sneeze caught me by surprise. Neither was bad, per se, but they are a bit different.
 
The Mazda3 had "tight" steering with almost no slop. Point and shoot, in other words, almost as exact as a Miata, though not quite as quick-turning. The CX-5, by comparison, definitely has more looseness in the steering, at least initially. Nice for the highway, I suppose, but the Mazda3 would almost jump halfway to the next lane if sneeze caught me by surprise. Neither was bad, per se, but they are a bit different.
A lot of that can be due to the wheel/tire combo. Lower profile higher performance tires can have a huge impact on steering responsiveness.
 
A lot of that can be due to the wheel/tire combo. Lower profile higher performance tires can have a huge impact on steering responsiveness.

Can be. Wasn't, in my case. For each vehicle, somewhat taller all-season tires. Both with factory suspensions. Same roads, same style driving. Was speaking of the initial slop, the imprecise "excess" before the steering actually responded to a change in angle of the wheel. The Mazda3 I owned had almost none, whereas the CX-5 has a bit of play prior to the car actually responding.
 
That's not like my CX 5. I have to constantly keep the thing on precise track, almost twitchy.
 
A lot of that can be due to the wheel/tire combo. Lower profile higher performance tires can have a huge impact on steering responsiveness.
Indeed. My steering is lighter and more responsive with my 245/45/20 DWS06 Plus. It's likely a combination of tread compound and sidewall stiffness.
 
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I've driven several different vehicles, including a BMW, and I'd say that the Skyactiv steering setup has to be my favourite. A bit heavier would be nice, but it's heavy enough around corners, with great feel, and tracks beautifully well at speed. It's also very responsive.
 
Canada here as well. I'm on my 3rd leased CX-5; two previous GT models and now a Signature Turbo version. Obviously all 3 driven off dealer's lot brand new. I've never encountered any of the "quirks" you've mentioned. I'm an old auto mechanic from years ago and have always been a stickler for upkeep. Other than the motor feeling a bit "tight" for the 1st few 1000 kms, I've never noted any abnormal drop in oil levels. CX-5's don't burn oil. Never noted any "slip" in tranny shifts either. Parked with motor stopped, there might be a hint of wiggle in the steering wheel but soon as motor starts, it tights right up. Once on the road and up to speed the CX-5 tracks straight and carves through corners like it's on rails.
 
I'm probably describing the steering issue wrong. I agree, when in motion, its tight and handles well. WHen parked not moving with the engine running, if you jiggle the steering wheel left or right just an inch or so but do it left and right quickly, it is like there is no resistance at all until there is and there is a little clunk when that happens - this makes it feel "loose/sloppy" etc. I only have my 2013 mazda 3 to compare it to. When I do the same thing, there is no change in resistance (it is tight from the start) so there is no feeling of looseness at all , or slight clunk.

Does that make more sense?

As for the whirring noise in the steering wheel, imagine backing out of your driveway onto the street. YOu cut your wheel sharply to get out on the street. And when you turn the steering wheel to stratighten the wheels to get moving forward, it makes the whirring noise. I do not hear this noise any other time while driving - it only seems to be when turing the wheel all the back to straight after being hard cut.

Now this honestly may be normal for these as I have never had a vehicle without power steering fluid, so maybe it's the the electric steering.

I hope that helps describe it :)
 

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