Awd

[Alpha Wolf]

This was a simple question and I was looking for a simple answer. You guys are just typing all this information that has no relevance to the question I asked. You are not impressing me with your (lack of) knowledge on this topic. Just admit you don't know th answer to my question.....

(five-0) (braindead
Actually I think we both addressed your questions. But since you seem to desire a specific answer....(attn)

1. It is a full time AWD system so it is always on. (drive2)
2. The system is constantly varying th6e amount of power it sends to the rear wheels from 0 % to 50 %. But even at 0% the AWD system is active.
3. There is no indicator to tell you when the system is on because it is alway on. There is also no indictor to tell you when it sends power to the rear wheels or how much power is sent to the rear wheels. (headshake (headshake (headshake It is designed to be transparent to you the driver. (wrc)

We were debating whether it starts at zero and increases the power to the rear wheels when it detects slippage on the front tires as Per Mazda description or whether it starts at 50 percent and reduces it to zero when no slippage is detected. Due to a lack of technical documentation describing the operation of the AWD system and all its parts. Which is beyond your original question... (jacked)

If you see the AWD light come on when driving the AWD system has a problem and you need to see Mazda. This light does not indicate it is sending power to the rear wheels. It indicates that there is a problem with the AWD system....

 

[singlemalt_18]

You guys are just typing all this information that has no relevance to the question I asked. You are not impressing me with your (lack of) knowledge on this topic. Just admit you don't know th answer to my question.....

Huh?

I don't know what threads you are reading, but if you actually take time to READ the thead, and check out the links posted - you will get an education.

I don't know what your looking for, but if you don't think your getting enough - you are looking in the wrong place! Most posts are made by folks who DO know a thing or two...

Alpha - Glad to see your still leader of the pack!

Scott - the Trolls I've seen, are always steeling whippets from unsuspecting dentists - THEY THRIVE ON NITROGEN! It keeps them smiling... its the helium balloons that make them sound like chipmonks.

 

[singlemalt_18]

...even if you like typing in Caps to highlight your points.... (wiggle)

...ya, but you use all those damn smileys.

 

[nkabak]

Just admit you don't know th answer to my question.

Obviously these two don't understand sarcasm!!!(encourage

 

[mikey1981]

wow this is nuts!!!

i will operate under the impression that the AWD is front wheel drive until slippage is detected, like the CRV and other real time awd based cars. if the cx-7 were a 4 wheel all the time constantly throwing power to various wheels; 1. wouldnt we know that and mazda make that a buying point of the car and 2. wouldnt that be considered a counterpoint to the Acuras SH-AWD, which is vastly different from the 7 from what i understand.

I was underthe impression that "real time" or full time or whatever you phrase it was that the system was active in a sense that it was on standbye, until slippage etc was detected and then actively "real time" threw power to the rear.

 

[Mazda3]

Here is the explanation right out of the Mazda training manual:

"The CX-7 is equipped with Mazdas new active torque split all-wheel drive system, which
debuted on the MazdaSpeed6, featuring a more aggressive transfer of torque to the rear
axle in accordance with driving conditions. This intelligent system achieves a satisfying
balance between the interactive control over the vehicle that makes it particularly enjoyable
to drive, and confident handling stability necessary for snowy, wet or other uncertain road

surfaces/conditions; engine power and torque are faithfully and efficiently transferred to the
road surface for maximum performance.
The active torque split AWD system uses real-time data input on steering angle, yaw rate,
lateral G-force and engine status to determine road surface and driving conditions. The CX7
s onboard computer then automatically determines which of three different modes of
front/rear torque distribution should be engaged: Normal, Sport, or Snow (for slippery
surfaces). The active torque coupling mounted in front of the rear differential is
electronically controlled in accordance with the data provided by the computer, adjusting
front/rear wheel torque distribution between 100:0 and 50:50 to deliver optimum drive
power to each axle. The result is that the most power and traction are made available under
all conditions; positive acceleration and confident handling are provided regardless of
constantly changing road conditions, as well as the ability to fully balance the vehicle in a
turn by skilful use of the accelerator pedal.
Unlike many competitor offerings, the torque transfer system in the CX-7 seamlessly
integrates the inherent stability of all-wheel drive; because the active torque coupling is
controlled electronically, it can react to wheel slippage much more rapidly than conventional
gear- or fluid-controlled systems. To ensure consistent power delivery under all weather and
driving conditions, the Power Take-Off (PTO) system on the centre differential that
distributes torque to the rear axle is fitted with its own liquid-cooled cooling system. "


Once the computer has shifted into snow or sport mode it pre-loads the rear axle so you don't have to wait for slippage. As oppossed to the system in the 01-04 Tribute where the wheels had to actually slip before the AWD kicked in.

 

[CX7_Scott]

I gotta say ( And I mean NO disrespect ) that when I read that... "MY" interpretation is the same as my original understanding of the AWD:

It runs as front-wheel drive until driving conditions warrant a shift in power to the rear axle.

That's just how I'm understanding it. I understood all the posts here, but none of it had been verified. The verbage above (if authentic) comes from Mazda's communications and I would tend to trust it over casual online message-board threads.

Again, no offense intended.
-sf

 

[Mazda3]

I gotta say ( And I mean NO disrespect ) that when I read that... "MY" interpretation is the same as my original understanding of the AWD:

It runs as front-wheel drive until driving conditions warrant a shift in power to the rear axle.

-sf

That is correct in normal mode. When the computer has shifted into snow or sport mode there is continous power to the rear tires. Making it superior to the older systems where slippage is necessary.

 

[Mazda3]

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. "

 

[awsmp5]

hm i dunno what everyone's saying cuz im too lazy but usually when they say awd as opposed to 4wd it means its always on.

 

[mikey1981]

yea my interpretation was the same - awd engages when it detects slippage. Regardless of whether the computer shifts into sport/winter etc, the event that causes the engagement onset is slippage.

so in essence, you are dirving a FWD car until an event occurs (when you need awd).

 

[mikey1981]

hm i dunno what everyone's saying cuz im too lazy but usually when they say awd as opposed to 4wd it means its always on.

no - its always ready to work, not actively working 100% of ur driving time.

 

[CX7_Scott]

My "other" interpretation about the TCS is - it is NOT "braking" the appropriate wheel (in my mind, that would be a BAD thing)... it is sending LESS power to that wheel - if any - to compensate for tire-spin.

Again - I may be WAY-OFF... but the way I read into ABS and TCS is all about rotation, but in opposite effects.

ABS: When the system detects a STOP in rotation when braking and the vehicle is still in motion, it will releive braking pressure in controlled micro-bursts to the appropriate wheel(s) to regain stopping traction.

TCS: When the system detects excessive rotation not in sync with the other wheels (spinning tire) it reduces the power allocated to that wheel until traction is restored.

 

[Mazda3]

"The active torque split AWD system uses real-time data input on steering angle, yaw rate,
lateral G-force and engine status to determine road surface and driving conditions. The CX7
s onboard computer then automatically determines which of three different modes of
front/rear torque distribution should be engaged: Normal, Sport, or Snow (for slippery
surfaces). "

I realize it doesn't totally explain this, however once the computer determines its in snow mode it is locked into AWD and stays that way until it determines the road conditions have changed. It in effect senses the conditions before slippage takes place as oppossed to the old vicious-coupling system used in the Ford Edge and many other vehicles.

I don't really care who believes me, but this is a fact. Those of you who have been members here for awhile know my info is always correct.

 

[Mazda3]

Here is quote from this USA today article:

"
Normally in front-drive mode, it uses computer logic and a variety of sensors to anticipate your need for AWD. The system begins shifting power to the rear wheels a moment before necessary, without waiting for the front wheels to spin. That technology is getting common. For instance, Jeep uses it on some models. Honda's Pilot uses it. And General Motors has it on its newest crossover SUVs, GMC Acadia (Test Drive, Dec. 22) and the similar Saturn Outlook, which are slightly larger rivals to CX-9.
In practice, it lets the vehicle stride confidently forward in ice and snow, even under a too-heavy throttle foot. It eliminates that breathtaking instant when the vehicle begins to lose traction up front but hasn't yet gotten any in back, a flaw in some FWD/AWD systems. "

Its on the CX-9, its the same AWD system as the CX-7.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2007-02-02-cx-9_x.htm

 

[CX7_Scott]

my brain hurts.

 

[Alpha Wolf]

...ya, but you use all those damn smileys.

Hey I got to keep a little humor in my posts...

too many overly serious readers out there... (boom03) (confused)

 

[Alpha Wolf]

Well if Mazda3's info is correct it appears there is a new level of sofistication we were not accounting for. (cool)

It would seem that in normal mode, my take on how it works is correct. (evil)
In sport and snow modes it would seem singlemalt_18 is correct in that mode. (boobs2)


(band)

 

[singlemalt_18]

Well if Mazda3's info is correct it appears there is a new level of sofistication we were not accounting for. (cool)

It would seem that in normal mode, my take on how it works is correct.
In sport and snow modes it would seem singlemalt_18 is correct in that mode.

Alpha, you should run for office. Where can I send my campaign donation?

 

[singlemalt_18]

The dead horse is no longer suffering....

Well if Mazda3's info is correct it appears there is a new level of sofistication we were not accounting for. (cool)

Thanks to Mazda3 for some ACTUAL specifics! Its a breath of fresh air... and apparently hard to come by.


Now we know the AWD is a funtion of steering angle, yaw rate, and lateral G-force... if you are going straight down the level interstate with a tailwind, you can rest assured you are in FWD...this should make some people very happy.

So we're all right, and we're all wrong, and we will all get in & turn the key in the ignition tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that... I'm fine wit dat!

Can we just stick to driving now?