AWD vs. FWD

[Unobtanium]

My CX-5's AWD diff reached the end of its functional life-span last week, so I decided to have a bit of fun, and compare traction with it now that it's operating in FWD only, to when it was AWD. Here are the results:

(I let off, the point was made)

FWD SUCKS! In the rain, or on gravel, I'm sure it would be worse yet. Tires are Continental Cross Contact LX20's in the second video, and I think it was either on them, or the OEM tires in the first video, with the OEM's showing lots of wear (28K miles in first vid, 40kish in the second).


All-in-all, I' going to be a reneger for a minute, and go ahead and admit that the AWD system in the Mazda is very functional until it dies. I miss it Should have a new diff in from Japan in a week.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I saw in the other thread you got a tune now; how are you liking it?

 

[Unobtanium]

I saw in the other thread you got a tune now; how are you liking it?

It's great. It's called the "My diff is broke so the tires spin" tune, ROFL!

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

It's great. It's called the "My diff is broke so the tires spin" tune, ROFL!

what the... story? I changed my fluid at 30k seemed alright

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Also is it disabled by the computer? or did the dealer pull a fuse or something until it's fixed (physically disconnect?)?

 

[Unobtanium]

what the... story? I changed my fluid at 30k seemed alright

I never said I got a tune, and yes, the fluid was changed at 28,800 per the manual. And no, if it can't handle stock power, no way in HELL will I bother with a tune on this effete little CUV.

 

[Unobtanium]

Also is it disabled by the computer? or did the dealer pull a fuse or something until it's fixed (physically disconnect?)?

It's broken. Even my Jeep never actually had the driveline BREAK. Not too happy.

 

[inlinev]

Are they covering the work under warranty?

 

[Unobtanium]

Are they covering the work under warranty?

Yes, and when I went to pick it up, there was a huge crack across the windshield. They say they didn't do it. I believe them. I have 0 deductible insurance, so it's just more inconvenience, at least.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I wonder if it is more of an electrical versus mechanical failure? Looking around... replacement of entire rear diff seems how Mazda handles this type of failure.

Dealer probably changed fluid but I am always suspicious of service techs who have lied to me and said they performed a service they didn't.

 

[Unobtanium]

I wonder if it is more of an electrical versus mechanical failure? Looking around... replacement of entire rear diff seems how Mazda handles this type of failure.

Dealer probably changed fluid but I am always suspicious of service techs who have lied to me and said they performed a service they didn't.

This dealer seems pretty legit, but ya know? I've had vehicles with 100K+ miles on them on OEM diff fluid that are fine.
My honest opinion? Bed electronics, freak failure, but I'm still pissed about it. Mazda is treating me right though, so I have nothing ill to say about the company or dealership, just mad about the random failure, worried it could happen again.

 

[Ricsta]

Yes, and when I went to pick it up, there was a huge crack across the windshield. They say they didn't do it. I believe them. I have 0 deductible insurance, so it's just more inconvenience, at least.

Check you insurance policy. Most of the time glass is covered without a deductible.

 

[Unobtanium]

Check you insurance policy. Most of the time glass is covered without a deductible.

Correct. My policy covers it 100%.

 

[craigo]

This dealer seems pretty legit, but ya know? I've had vehicles with 100K+ miles on them on OEM diff fluid that are fine.
My honest opinion? Bed electronics, freak failure, but I'm still pissed about it. Mazda is treating me right though, so I have nothing ill to say about the company or dealership, just mad about the random failure, worried it could happen again.

Does the work order give details? It would be good for future reference. I don't think we've seen many of these, if any, reported here.

 

[GP 2004]

Yes, and when I went to pick it up, there was a huge crack across the windshield. They say they didn't do it. I believe them. I have 0 deductible insurance, so it's just more inconvenience, at least.

If the dealer had possession of the car when the glass broke they are responsible for the car and must repair it. Why should your insurance rates suffer for their mistake?

 

[V8toilet]

Must be all that crazy driving at 80 mph average speed you do. Hey, at least for a short while you might have seen a little bump in mpg with only two wheel drive.

 

[MikeM.]

Must be all that crazy driving at 80 mph average speed you do. Hey, at least for a short while you might have seen a little bump in mpg with only two wheel drive.

No bump in MPG possible because it's still carrying around all the AWD weight and the rear wheels still have to turn their driveshafts and rear differential. This will also tax the traction of the front tire under hard acceleration. And the propeller shaft must still be turned as well.

 

[mazdadude]

unobtanium: you are not having very good luck man I am sorry! (rant)

Today, while on a wet and greasy looping Highway onramp, I got to see another benefit of AWD vs FWD.

While in the continuous radius onramp, with the wet and greasy conditions, the vehicle lost traction in the front but power was fed to the rear, and I was able to maintain a nice, comfortable and uneventful 4 wheel drift slide without any of the FWD understeer I have been used to on most my cars. (eekdance)

 

[Unobtanium]

No bump in MPG possible because it's still carrying around all the AWD weight and the rear wheels still have to turn their driveshafts and rear differential. This will also tax the traction of the front tire under hard acceleration. And the propeller shaft must still be turned as well.

I have not seen any increase in mileage.

 

[Unobtanium]

unobtanium: you are not having very good luck man I am sorry! (rant)

Today, while on a wet and greasy looping Highway onramp, I got to see another benefit of AWD vs FWD.

While in the continuous radius onramp, with the wet and greasy conditions, the vehicle lost traction in the front but power was fed to the rear, and I was able to maintain a nice, comfortable and uneventful 4 wheel drift slide without any of the FWD understeer I have been used to on most my cars. (eekdance)

Yep, that is how my Jeep was. It slid very controlled like a RWD vehicle almost. I have not slid my CX-5 around any. It's less predictable, I feel, so have not played as much in it.

I dunno if it's luck, or just discovering how Mazdas actually are. The Jeep was the same way: Glowing forum, "OMG this NEVER happens..." at the dealership, and then the REALITY of owning one. I'm dumping this thing as soon as my warranty is up, thankfully that won't be for another 2 years though at around 100K miles. I went with an aftermarket warranty, but this thing is a money pit like a Jeep, I think, based on my experience with it so far. Good to own while under warranty, a stupid risk out from under it.