A Perfect Way to Mount Front License Plate on CX-5

yrwei52

2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech Pkg
Contributor
:
Plano, Texas, USA
While attending friend son's wedding at Admiral Kidd in San Diego last June (great weather and beautiful scene BTW), I saw 2 CX-5's parked next to each other in the parking lot. One of them caught my eyes with a special way to mount its front license plate. I thought by utilizing front tie-down hook location is really an excellent idea to mount the front license plate. It avoided making ugly holes on plastic bumper, and wouldn't block the air flow for engine cooling. This option seems better than not to install the front license plate which may get a ticket.

Do you guys know where we can find this type of mounting adapter or bracket for CX-5?

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https://www.ebay.com (commissions earned)

Finally got may plates on the car!

The item in the above auction works but required some modification. The large post that screws into the tow hook is TOO SHORT by about one inch. I contacted the eBay seller who said his supplier does not have any longer post with these threads/diameter. Luckily there's about 1.5 inches of threads on the post, so basically you have to stop the post from screwing in all the way. The problem is the threads in the bumper are recessed, so a simple nut or washers won't fit in there at all. The only way I found was to wrap duct tape around the threads on the post, leaving only .5 inches of threads usable. That resulted in making the post stick out one inch farther. The only issue with this modification is the large post does not screw in really tight to the bumper, so it is possible for the post to rotate / back out. That might be cured by some lock-tight on the threads, if it becomes an issue. The kit does come with a few rubber bumpers that are put behind the plate to prevent vibration and scraping the paint.

<a href='http://postimg.org/image/88ipw0i9n/' target='_blank'><img src='http://s25.postimg.org/88ipw0i9n/CX5_3.jpg' border='0' alt="CX5 3" /></a>

<a href='http://postimg.org/image/4nmucsdq3/' target='_blank'><img src='http://s25.postimg.org/4nmucsdq3/CX5_2.jpg' border='0' alt="CX5 2" /></a>

<a href='http://postimg.org/image/s0kvvattn/' target='_blank'><img src='http://s25.postimg.org/s0kvvattn/CX5_1.jpg' border='0' alt="CX5 1" /></a>
 
A problem is that you are defeating some of the energy absorbing stuff on the front of your car. I am all for people doing what they want with there car. Just know the trade off you are making.
 
San Diego is my hometown. Last time I went back I saw tons of CX-5s. They've got good taste!!! That said I'm glad Arizona doesn't require a front plate. (nana)
 
A problem is that you are defeating some of the energy absorbing stuff on the front of your car. I am all for people doing what they want with there car. Just know the trade off you are making.
How so? I just can't see screwing in a bolt and bracket into the bumper will defeat the energy absorbing function of the bumper.
 
How so? I just can't see screwing in a bolt and bracket into the bumper will defeat the energy absorbing function of the bumper.

The bolt doesn't screw into the bumper, it screws into solid sub frame behind the bumper. Instead of the energy absorbing bumper hitting or being hit the bolt can hit something or be hit. The bolt will not absorb much energy. It will transfer it to you and you are stuck with the job of absorbing the energy.

Put another way. you are placing something strong and rigid out in front of the bumper to take the force of a hit.
 
San Diego is my hometown. Last time I went back I saw tons of CX-5s. They've got good taste!!! That said I'm glad Arizona doesn't require a front plate. (nana)
I didn't aware Arizona doesn't require the front license plate. I got pulled over once for not having the front plate in Houston a while ago. But I only needed to bring the plate to show the Judge in court that I did have the front one then the ticket got dismissed. I had to pay $20 court fee for that. Recently the State of Texas passed a new law and set a specific fine for not having the front plate.

California is really nice, especially the weather! If not because the price for housing is skyrocketed and out of our reach right now. we'd move to California in a heart beat!
 
ditto, me not like the look
fortunately, AB doesn't require front plates
 
ditto, me not like the look
fortunately, AB doesn't require front plates

Have to agree - don't like the look of that either. However, for those who absolutely do NOT want to put those damn holes in the front - this might be helpful. So glad I live in Tennessee! (yippy)

Only Rear Plate Required

The nineteen states that require only one plate on the rear bumper are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
 
Have to agree - don't like the look of that either. However, for those who absolutely do NOT want to put those damn holes in the front - this might be helpful. So glad I live in Tennessee! (yippy)

Only Rear Plate Required

The nineteen states that require only one plate on the rear bumper are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Calif. requires two plates, but in over 50 years of driving I've never used a front plate and never been hassled!
 
It avoided making ugly holes on plastic bumper, and wouldn't block the air flow for engine cooling.

The CX-5 has plenty of free air flow to the radiator with a front plate mounted (even for 120 degree F). You don't have to worry about the front plate "blocking the airflow".

I also don't get the worry about holes in the plastic bumper cover - once you mount the plate, the holes are hidden.

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Ouch! Clearly the center mount looks more balanced. The offset mount looks tacky IMO.
 
San Diego is my hometown. Last time I went back I saw tons of CX-5s. They've got good taste!!! (nana)
Since getting mine on May 6th here in East Tennessee (Johnson City area).....I haven't seen even ONE other CX-5 on the road.! There are two Mazda dealerships fairly close to each other. Oh well, they don't know what they're missing. However..it seems there are TONS of Kias!!!(uhm)
 
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I would've considered this except my car already came drilled with holes in the front bumper. Boo! I probably realistically would've found some way to mount it to the bottom grill/bumper. I do prefer it centered, just lower.
 
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