Awd

[mikey1981]

Has your car engagede AWD drive yet? The weather in MA/RI hasnt presented a situation for it yet. I was wondering how it worked, how its performance was, etc etc. So far im going on the belief that the system will be great, but havent heard anything about it being engaged yet

 

[G-Papi]

Technically it's engaged all the time, with a varying percentage going to the rear wheels, based on the traction of the front wheels. I doubt that you will notice the 'engagement', unless you rae driving under severe conditions.

 

[Mazda3]

We've had snow on the ground for a couple weeks now and the AWD works great. Combined with my Nokian WR tires its a blast to drive in the snow!!

 

[mikey1981]

Technically it's engaged all the time, with a varying percentage going to the rear wheels, based on the traction of the front wheels. I doubt that you will notice the 'engagement', unless you rae driving under severe conditions.

Judging from driving CRV's for quite a while, it was very noticable when the rear wheels kick in, im assuming maybe the CX-7's system works a bit differently, thatd be nice. Well depending on snow this year, my 7 will get its work out

 

[CX7_Scott]

Well... the person that posted from Calgary (or something like that) got me concerned about the AWD performance of the CX-7 when they talked about its inability to corner well outfitted with the stock all-season tires...

...but I guess I should put it in perspective... I just came from a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country Front-wheel-drive with all-season tires. It handled fairly well in this New England weather. Is it safe to assume that this CX-7 will at LEAST handle as-good, if not BETTER than a front-wheel-drive minivan under similar conditions...?

 

[B1GHAM]

Well... the person that posted from Calgary (or something like that) got me concerned about the AWD performance of the CX-7 when they talked about its inability to corner well outfitted with the stock all-season tires...

...but I guess I should put it in perspective... I just came from a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country Front-wheel-drive with all-season tires. It handled fairly well in this New England weather. Is it safe to assume that this CX-7 will at LEAST handle as-good, if not BETTER than a front-wheel-drive minivan under similar conditions...?

It should handle TONS better. AWD with better torque and handling. I cant wait for snow to hit the ground so I can drive one and get a feel for it.

Sean

 

[CX7_Scott]

I am looking into tire-chains for this car in the event I run into real crappy conditions when up in the mountains of northern Maine.

 

[CX7_Scott]

boy... what a can-of-worms that is now... so many types of tractions systems; chains, cables, polymer-based (rubber?), many styles...

Any suggestions...?

Actually, I think I'll re-ask this in the tires section.

 

[Mazda3]

Well... the person that posted from Calgary (or something like that) got me concerned about the AWD performance of the CX-7 when they talked about its inability to corner well outfitted with the stock all-season tires...

...but I guess I should put it in perspective... I just came from a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country Front-wheel-drive with all-season tires. It handled fairly well in this New England weather. Is it safe to assume that this CX-7 will at LEAST handle as-good, if not BETTER than a front-wheel-drive minivan under similar conditions...?

That same person now has the Nokian tires on the CX-7 and says it drives great in the winter conditions. As I stated in that thread the traction issue was with the crappy stock tires and had nothing to do with the CX-7. Too many people think because they have AWD they don't have to woory about proper tires.

Also the AWD drive engagement is seamless. You won't feel it engaging at all. Far superior to the system in the CR-V or the Tribute.

 

[mikey1981]

I was hoping so. The CRV is like someone turned a switch on then off.

My stock tires are the Goodyears. I know some 7's got those while some got i think bidgestones...do i have crap tires?

Tires make a world of difference, these seem to be wearing quick from what i can see so far. . .

 

[G-Papi]

Some of the early production models got Bridgestones, I think. Mine was one with Goodyears on it. I've heard that they are superior to the Bridgestones, but haven't had any way to make a comparison.

I've got 6500 miles on mine and no complaints.

 

[mikey1981]

yea good tire, just alotta road noise

 

[Mazda3]

The RS-A's are slightly better than the Bridgestone's on dry pavement, however they are both crap in winter conditions. And yes, they are one of the worst tires on the market for road noise.

 

[mikey1981]

if it werent for the tremendous noise these make on certain pavement, this truck is really quiet.

What do you guys recommend for an all season tire?

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Yes!

That same person now has the Nokian tires on the CX-7 and says it drives great in the winter conditions. As I stated in that thread the traction issue was with the crappy stock tires and had nothing to do with the CX-7. Too many people think because they have AWD they don't have to woory about proper tires.

Also the AWD drive engagement is seamless. You won't feel it engaging at all. Far superior to the system in the CR-V or the Tribute.

Good for you for bringing up the most basic of points. Tires mean EVERYTHING. People who think all tires are created equal make me cringe. Different treds mean different dynamics and different rubber formulations mean different behavior over different temperatures. Winter Tires use a softer rubber that won't get hard in low temps.

Conversely, I will argue that a front wheel drive car with snow tires will outperform an all-wheel drive with mediocre all season tires.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

RS-A's

The RS-A's are slightly better than the Bridgestone's on dry pavement, however they are both crap in winter conditions. And yes, they are one of the worst tires on the market for road noise.

They're slightly better than crap . I found the stock RS-A's on my 3 trecherous.

 

[mikey1981]

Im debating right now wether to change my tires for the winter. I have a place in NH and im skeptical right now of what is on this truck.

IF the Goodyears are just as good as the Duelers on my 05 CRV, then i should be allset. I made it to NH last winter through a 2inch/hr blizzard.

 

[Mazda3]

Im debating right now wether to change my tires for the winter. I have a place in NH and im skeptical right now of what is on this truck.

IF the Goodyears are just as good as the Duelers on my 05 CRV, then i should be allset. I made it to NH last winter through a 2inch/hr blizzard.

The RSA's aren't as good as the Duelers. If you're not sure the amount of snow you get will justify winter tires there are a couple of great options available. I went with the Nokian WR all-weather tire which is a new tech. all season tire that also out does most winter tires in the snow.(there are more details on these posted in some other threads). Goodyear also makes a new tire called the Assurance Triple Tread, which is an all-weather tire as well. These are the only all-season tires on the market that have the severe winter weather designation by the Canadian government. The Nokians come with a 60k mile guarantee and handle as good as the RSA's on dry as well. This allows you to have superior winter traction when you need it and not have to worry about changing tires or wearing them out on dry pavement. They are pricey, but worth it.