AWD in snow

[vitaly91]

Guys,

As a new owner of CX-9, I was wondering how good an AWD performs in snow conditions. Considering it's winter time, I was wondering if there is anything I need to know about driving CX-9 in the snow.
I have 2008 CX-9 Grand Touring. AWD.

Thanks in advance for your help! (yes)

 

[mazda03protege]

not sure how much of a difference in handling is between the cx-7 and cx-9 but we had a cx-7 here for a couple weeks and the awd was real good..was able to go through some deep snow and didnt have any wheel spin, it was very nice..wish we didnt have to get rid of it cuz my protege is terrible in the snow haha

 

[broomco]

So far I'm not impressed, actually extremely disappointed in the AWD in the snow and ice. I have a feeling it's the crappy stock tires though. I know our Pilot was 100 times better in the snow.

May look into buying some new tires, but hate to spend all that $ on something I already spent a lot of $ on.

 

[jred321]

just remember that all AWD helps you to do is accelerate straight forward better. stopping and turning are the work of the tires. don't overestimate what AWD is going to do for you. it only makes power go to all 4 wheels when your foot is on the gas.

my last car was AWD. i put winter tires on it. it was amazing. with the stock tires i would have only been spinning all 4 wheels. which would have gotten me moving forward but i would've been screwed if i needed to do anything else.

 

[not_too_shabby]

Question on the mazda AWD system. How does the power transfer between left and right sides? If you lost traction on both tires on the left side, does it have a locking differential front and back to transfer power to the right side? If that makes sense

 

[DashingMax]

Question on the mazda AWD system. How does the power transfer between left and right sides? If you lost traction on both tires on the left side, does it have a locking differential front and back to transfer power to the right side? If that makes sense

Yes, Mazda essentially uses the AWD system found in Volvo XC-90. No, it does not transfer power from side to side.

The Grand Touring Bridgestone Dueler H/L tires are bad...very bad in snow. The Mazda AWD gets you going, but braking & turning is all about the tires and these really suck!!

The Continental ContiExtreme Contacts on my MazdaSpeed6 rips through deep snow & slushy/icy roads with no drama!

 

[Parad0x01]

Yeah I have Bridgestone Blizzaks on my Speed 6 and it makes a ton of difference in the snow. And it snows here....a lot.

 

[tb88]

I put 17" wheels and Winterforce snow tires from Tirerack on my wife's AWD '08 GT and it drives like a tank. I have to try hard to spin those tires. Great bang for the buck.

 

[ericw2000]

We've had plenty of snow here in northern Illinois. I've had nothing but 4wd trucks for the past 20 years, so I wasn't sure what to expect with this AWD. I'm happy to say the CX-9 didn't let me down once, as far as traction. The stock tires on the 20" wheels aren't the best but there was never a problem moving.

The problem I do have is stopping, and that's purely related to the tires. I will have to look at different tire options before next winter, but I've adjusted my driving habits to compensate for the stock tires.

 

[AnotherCX-9]

I have installed Toyo Proxes STII on the GT AWD. Traction and handling has been amazing. I am now a lot more confident in taking turns. No major storm has hit in DC yet so I can't review on them; however, I went to a ski trip earlier this month in PA, there were some snow in the back roads, I have to try very hard to make these bad boys spinning

 

[cccx9]

I have installed Toyo Proxes STII on the GT AWD. Traction and handling has been amazing. I am now a lot more confident in taking turns. No major storm has hit in DC yet so I can't review on them; however, I went to a ski trip earlier this month in PA, there were some snow in the back roads, I have to try very hard to make these bad boys spinning

Did you try them out today? Not really a major storm but the best we've had this winter.

 

[AnotherCX-9]

Did you try them out today? Not really a major storm but the best we've had this winter.

unfortunately, I didn't take the 9 out today because it just had a carwash over the weekend. (smash) We'll see if there's another storm tomorrow. If so, I will take it out for a spin.

 

[Pounder]

I like the snow performance.
I have a FWD daily driver and it barely gets up on my snowed and iced-up sloped driveway. The CX-9 however as no problems at all!

 

[CharlieXray9er]

We've had plenty of snow here in northern Illinois. I've had nothing but 4wd trucks for the past 20 years, so I wasn't sure what to expect with this AWD. I'm happy to say the CX-9 didn't let me down once, as far as traction. The stock tires on the 20" wheels aren't the best but there was never a problem moving.

The problem I do have is stopping, and that's purely related to the tires. I will have to look at different tire options before next winter, but I've adjusted my driving habits to compensate for the stock tires.

I totally agree...same here for me also. I have a 90 mile round trip commute and to date I'm pretty happy with the tires that came with the car. Once the AWD kicks in it seems very hard to spin the tires at all. Much better than I ever expected coming from a truck background.

 

[CX9-JW]

07 AWD GT with stock 20" tires- just got 1 foot of snow- no problems at all with grip or clearance-very impressed. I was concerned before venturing out that the tires were not going to be "tready" enough, but they performed great ( with 30K miles on them as well) including going up hills on unplowed snow. Still see plently of clowns stuck in ditches in 4wheel drives that think it helps with braking, lol

 

[Force-1]

Motor Tend, Long Term Test Update, Mazda CX-9, April 2009 Edition

As the forcecast predicted, it was snowing, uh, the equivalent of cats and dogs. Road conditions were such that, if we'd been in California, the road would have surely been shut down. Despite all this, the CX-9 was as surefooted as a mountain goat.

Tire slippage? Drifting? Traction control going berserk? No, no, and no. Bottom line: the [AWD GT] CX-9 is a great winter SUV for all but the absolute worst conditions.

 

[badself]

07 AWD GT with stock 20" tires- just got 1 foot of snow- no problems at all with grip or clearance-very impressed. I was concerned before venturing out that the tires were not going to be "tready" enough, but they performed great ( with 30K miles on them as well) including going up hills on unplowed snow. Still see plently of clowns stuck in ditches in 4wheel drives that think it helps with braking, lol

You're the first person I ever heard of giving praise to the p.o.s. Bridgestones in snow. More power to you if you like them.

 

[Force-1]

You're the first person I ever heard of giving praise to the p.o.s. Bridgestones in snow. More power to you if you like them.

So did Motor Trend.

 

[DashingMax]

Yes, I subscribe to Motor Trend. I saw that too. I must admit that I was more than surprised!

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

Snow is ok, but try them on solid ice. Yikes!