Awd

[5280_CX-7]

Hummm... according to Wikipedia "the CX-7 features a choice of either front wheel drive or Mazda's Active Torque-Split all wheel drive system. With the Active Torque-Split system, two computer-controlled magnetic clutches feed up to 50% of the engine's torque to the rear wheels". The Mazda CX-7 uses a Clutch Pack Coupling type of AWD which "functions like 2wd when the clutch pack not is engaged, and like 4wd highrange in a part time 4wd system when the clutch is engaged (usually by computer although some allow manual control). Some in this category have varying degrees of control in the torque distribution between front and rear via allowing some of the clutches in a clutch pack to engave and slip varying amounts".
For what it's worth. While I can't feel the AWD changing I can feel the TCS kick in when braking the slipping wheel.

 

[meanstreak]

For those debating the TCS system here is the blurb from the manual on that:

"The braking system works in synergy with the CX-7s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC),
incorporating a traction control system (TCS), to exhibit an outstanding level of active
safety. The Dynamic Stability Control system is designed to activate when the vehicle is
taking a turn too quickly for the road conditions. DSC compares the driver's intended
direction (from the steering wheel angle) to the actual vehicle path; if the system senses
understeer or oversteer, it applies braking force, and reduces engine torque if required, to
correct the situation.
Traction control systems generally come in one of two primary systems: an ABS-based
system, or an engine management system. Both systems use the ABS wheel speed sensors
to determine if there is wheel spin (wheel speed greater than vehicle speed). The CX-7
system uses engine management to reduce the amount of power output by reducing fuel,
ignition timing and throttle position to reduce wheel spin. This system is superior to systems
that use the ABS brakes to slow down the spinning wheel ABS systems have a tendency
to be very jarring in their operation and can overheat the brakes if used for extended
periods of time. The CX-7s traction control system (TCS) deals with the problem of the
engine supplying too much power for road conditions right at the source; when wheel spin is
detected, the TCS simply reduces the engines power output until the wheel spin stops. "

Having driven a Honda with TCS and now the Mazda with TCS I can feel the difference and could tell immediatly that the Mazda was an engine-management based system. On vehicles with the ABS type TCS you can hear the TCS systems engage as they emit a chattering noise and pulsation similiar to how ABS brakes behave under extreme braking.

With the Mazda you never or at least I have never heard a sound except for the initial tire slipage. I might add that the ABS type or at least the one in the Honda often made me lose to much momentum even on gradual inclines. It was so bad I had to turn it off most of the time when I knew a hill was coming. The Mazda works much better but in my case the slippage is also being assisted by the AWD. At first I wished that the most TCS had a feature like the Honda where you could disable it instead of it turning back on after hitting 18MPH, but with the AWD, it doesn't seem to matter much.g itIt

 

[meanstreak]

For those debating the TCS system here is the blurb from the manual on that:

"The braking system works in synergy with the CX-7s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC),
incorporating a traction control system (TCS), to exhibit an outstanding level of active
safety. The Dynamic Stability Control system is designed to activate when the vehicle is
taking a turn too quickly for the road conditions. DSC compares the driver's intended
direction (from the steering wheel angle) to the actual vehicle path; if the system senses
understeer or oversteer, it applies braking force, and reduces engine torque if required, to
correct the situation.
Traction control systems generally come in one of two primary systems: an ABS-based
system, or an engine management system. Both systems use the ABS wheel speed sensors
to determine if there is wheel spin (wheel speed greater than vehicle speed). The CX-7
system uses engine management to reduce the amount of power output by reducing fuel,
ignition timing and throttle position to reduce wheel spin. This system is superior to systems
that use the ABS brakes to slow down the spinning wheel ABS systems have a tendency
to be very jarring in their operation and can overheat the brakes if used for extended
periods of time. The CX-7s traction control system (TCS) deals with the problem of the
engine supplying too much power for road conditions right at the source; when wheel spin is
detected, the TCS simply reduces the engines power output until the wheel spin stops. "

Great Post!

Having driven a Honda with TCS and now the Mazda with TCS I can feel the difference and could tell immediatly that the Mazda was an engine-management based system. On vehicles with the ABS type TCS you can hear the TCS systems engage as they emit a chattering noise and pulsation similiar to how ABS brakes behave under extreme braking.

With the Mazda you never or at least I have never heard a sound except for the initial tire slipage. I might add that the ABS type or at least the one in the Honda often made me lose to much momentum even on gradual inclines. It was so bad I had to turn it off most of the time when I knew a hill was coming. The Mazda works much better but in my case the slippage is also being assisted by the AWD. At first I wished that the most TCS had a feature like the Honda where you could disable it instead of it turning back on after hitting 18MPH, but with the AWD, it doesn't seem to matter much.

 

[AWmustang]

As I started reading this thread and all the misinformation running around I thought I was going to end up typing a long reply, but in the end the truth came out.

And to answer the person (sorry don't remember the name) who was certain that you vehicle was sending power to the rear wheels when you floored it from a stop. It most likely is. You put the pedal to the floor and the system goes into sport mode.

I've driven the CX-7 at a Mazda Zoom Zoom live event and let me tell you, the cornering limits while accelerating are very high for this vehicle. Much higher than one would expect for such a tall vehicle.

 

[Quickie]

i want a company to invent this for our cx-7's

http://www.eiptuning.com/ecomm/proddetail.php?prod=HEX-HPP

 

[Killer]

excellent posts guys!!! All GOOD Info!

 

[AWmustang]

i want a company to invent this for our cx-7's

http://www.eiptuning.com/ecomm/proddetail.php?prod=HEX-HPP

I believe the Mazda system already does this. It is capable of sending power to the rear wheels before slip is detected.