AWD Performance on Snow

[Shaz]

I have the AWD GT and I'm IMPRESSED driving it in the snow. As you might know, much of the Midwest up to the Eastern coast is hit by a snow blizzard that buried our roads anywhere from 6 inches to a foot of snow and slush. The AWD performed very well on these harsh conditions and gave me peace of mind operating the vehicle. There were occasions like on cornering wherein you'll get the sideslip, the car engages TCS/DSC and you'll almost can tell that the engine reduces torque and give you enough power to the wheels so you can maintain control and maintain driving on a straight line.

AMAZING. The car is a snow performer.

 

[cruzdreamer]

I was slipping alot yesterday(slid all the way through a turn) and traction control kicked in. I have FWD and it was just so-so. It's what I figured....it's the tires and not the vehicle for sure!

 

[meinp5]

Thanks for posting this. In the fall I am considering a small SUV and the CX-7 was right at the top of my list. One of my concerns was the snow traction. Good to know it does pretty well in the snow.

 

[mikey1981]

yea, mine was great in NH last weekend. stability control works well, and very effective. What I like about this truck vs my CRV, the CRV is noisy almost to the point of very alarming, possibly making a situation to the point of tensing up and getting nervious. the Mazda was smooth and almost didnt know it was activated w/o seeing the light on the dash flicker while working.

 

[Shaz]

I was slipping alot yesterday(slid all the way through a turn) and traction control kicked in. I have FWD and it was just so-so. It's what I figured....it's the tires and not the vehicle for sure!

Hi Wendy. You live in IL/snow belt and you got the FWD? AWD makes a hell lot of a difference versus FWD. I don't know how much price difference there is but it is worth it. I'd rather save my life and have peace of mind than saving money. Just my two cents.

But if you feel that it is the tires and you must....get the Yokohama Advans (High Performance) or the Blizzaks (Winter Tires)...Discount Tires has them and will mount them for you.

 

[cruzdreamer]

For as often as we get the snow that is ever an issue on the roads(maybe a few times a year) I felt I did not need the AWD...$1000 difference. Nice to have but I already was spending more than I wanted and I have a few things I was saving for to add on(dash kit on order). I did not want to go through the hassle of getting a set of tires again like I did on my RX 8 but again it makes a huge difference...I had Dunlops. The RX 8 was not drivable without them...at least this car is! I would limit my driving like I did yesterday is all. I agree with your statement whole heartedly though.

 

[mr.weatherman]

my cx-7 in the snow

Up until today, boston, ma had only seen a few minor snow event and I was not happy how the cx-7 handled in the snow, maybe cuz of the tires. I have the turanza, I have read some not so good things about those tires.

We had 3-6 inches of snow today along with some sleet, but my car is at the dealer (see post 'valvoline messed up my cx-7'), the mazda 6 actually did quite well in the snow.

 

[UpNorth]

I have been delighted with how my AWD CX-7 handles winter. I've had no trouble with deep snow - starting or stopping. And it has acquitted itself well on ice too. I have only triggered the traction or stability control a couple times but it is pretty darn amazing at correcting itself.

I've had subarus before, and my last car was a fwd with studded tires. I thought I would miss the studs on the ice, but so far am doing fine with just the tires that came standard.

You can't drive like the roads are dry, but you can feel just as safe with mild adjustments.

 

[Shaz]

For as often as we get the snow that is ever an issue on the roads(maybe a few times a year) I felt I did not need the AWD...$1000 difference. Nice to have but I already was spending more than I wanted and I have a few things I was saving for to add on(dash kit on order). I did not want to go through the hassle of getting a set of tires again like I did on my RX 8 but again it makes a huge difference...I had Dunlops. The RX 8 was not drivable without them...at least this car is! I would limit my driving like I did yesterday is all. I agree with your statement whole heartedly though.

True Dat. Well hey, as long as you're a safe and smart driver, that's all that counts. I can have all the safety features for the car but if I'm reckless, I will pay the price.

Hopefully we'll have some sort of CX7 meet so you can have a feel for the AWD and I can see the Dash Kit in person....and no, I'm not hitting on you LOL...so don't worry

 

[joevac10]

I am currently a happy CX-7 owner (I've had if for about a month now). I have a gt AWD and I have a question about the AWD. How do you know when the AWD kicks in? Is it full time AWD?

 

[JAREK_EB]

good question

I am currently a happy CX-7 owner (I've had if for about a month now). I have a gt AWD and I have a question about the AWD. How do you know when the AWD kicks in? Is it full time AWD?

 

[singlemalt_18]

one more time!

I am currently a happy CX-7 owner (I've had if for about a month now). I have a gt AWD and I have a question about the AWD. How do you know when the AWD kicks in? Is it full time AWD?

This urban myth just will NOT go away...

The AWD does NOT "kick in"! It is a continuously variable full-time drive system.

This has been talked about in numerous threads, and you can start by going to post #2 here:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123655868

This link is to post #37 referenced in the above link:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123650944&page=3

...and here is the link to "how stuff works" - be sure to go through all of the "inside this article" links if you really want to learn about what you are driving:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/four-wheel-drive.htm

Can we please put this dead horse out of its misery(dunno)

 

[spike blue]

damm thank God i live here in Florida LOL no cold weather and no snow , last week was like summer in the 90s but damm this week we are in the low 30s and im freezing, i can imagine you guys in illinois, N.Y,Boston and all the north , you must be 100 times more freezing that us LOL!!!

 

[UNIQUE]

Snow Driving

WE JUST GOT HAMMERED WITH SNOW AND I HAD NO PROBLEM DRIVING AROUND..WE GOT AROUND 12 INCHES OF SNOW WITH ICE...STILL NO PROBLEM...AWD ALL THE WAY

I have the AWD GT and I'm IMPRESSED driving it in the snow. As you might know, much of the Midwest up to the Eastern coast is hit by a snow blizzard that buried our roads anywhere from 6 inches to a foot of snow and slush. The AWD performed very well on these harsh conditions and gave me peace of mind operating the vehicle. There were occasions like on cornering wherein you'll get the sideslip, the car engages TCS/DSC and you'll almost can tell that the engine reduces torque and give you enough power to the wheels so you can maintain control and maintain driving on a straight line.

AMAZING. The car is a snow performer.

 

[Platonium]

Here in Michigan the AWD has been a godsend. Now I have to add AWD to the list of things I can't do without in a vehicle. That list is getting pretty long!

 

[jmv]

WE JUST GOT HAMMERED WITH SNOW AND I HAD NO PROBLEM DRIVING AROUND..WE GOT AROUND 12 INCHES OF SNOW WITH ICE...STILL NO PROBLEM...AWD ALL THE WAY

well thats good to hear. But you should take it easy on the caps, we don't need any shouting.... (sssh)

oh and welcome to the forums!

 

[vbbuilt01]

This urban myth just will NOT go away...

The AWD does NOT "kick in"! It is a continuously variable full-time drive system.

This has been talked about in numerous threads, and you can start by going to post #2 here:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123655868

This link is to post #37 referenced in the above link:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123650944&page=3

...and here is the link to "how stuff works" - be sure to go through all of the "inside this article" links if you really want to learn about what you are driving:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/four-wheel-drive.htm

Can we please put this dead horse out of its misery(dunno)

I really like the way you explain this topic! Perhaps, a suggestion? Since you've been explaining this over and over again, would it be possible to put all of your explanations into a single posting and get the forum mods to make it a sticky? That way, everyone can review.

Just a thought.

Vince.

 

[meanstreak]

Here in Michigan the AWD has been a godsend. Now I have to add AWD to the list of things I can't do without in a vehicle. That list is getting pretty long!

AWD worked well here in NY during recent snowfall. Very seamless and solid traction... could not tell it was kicking in.
The only issue was that the snow build up around the wheels wells caused the tires to shimmey but that is an issue with just about any vehicle unless there is lots of clearance between the tires and wheel wells.

 

[CX7_Scott]

My first/initial response regarding the AWD was within a different thread and was not as favorable as my current perception. During the most-recent storm here in the New England area, I was VERY impressed with how the whole system (AWD, ABS & TCS) worked together. I was one of the very few people that trekked into work on that horrendous day and I had fun driving to AND from work. I was actually ENJOYING the terrible weather and driving in it.

Not white-knuckling all the way home.

 

[5280_CX-7]

WE JUST GOT HAMMERED WITH SNOW AND I HAD NO PROBLEM DRIVING AROUND..WE GOT AROUND 12 INCHES OF SNOW WITH ICE...STILL NO PROBLEM...AWD ALL THE WAY

12 inches! Is that it? We got 32" in one storm! I lost count after 5 feet.
My wifes CX-7 came with Bridgestone Turanza's which didn't do very well in deep snow and slippery conditions.
I scored a set of OEM wheels from eBay, $405.00 with shipping and had a set of Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow's put on the extra rims for the winter. MUCH better in the snow and ice. They really grip in bad weather, I highly recommend them. They are not cheap though, $928.00 mounted and balanced without pressure sensors. So for the next few months the idiot light will be on but I check the tire pressure regularly anyway.