CX5 Snow Performance Results

[Lbear]

Took the 2016 CX5 AWD in the snow today. About 2-3 inches of snow and terrain was steep and mountainous.

The Mazda performed flawlessly. No traction lost, no tire spin and it climbed some steep grades without any problems. Very pleased.

(It has Continental TrueContact tires)

 

[Unobtanium]

Good deal! I have Continental Cross Contact LX20's.

 

[MikeM.]

Took the 2016 CX5 AWD in the snow today. About 2-3 inches of snow and terrain was steep and mountainous.

The Mazda performed flawlessly. No traction lost, no tire spin and it climbed some steep grades without any problems. Very pleased.

(It has Continental TrueContact tires)

That's quite a testament to the CX-5!

Would you fill out your profile with vehicle model, year and general location so we know where you are driving in the snow?

 

[banjos-n-beer]

I hit the road a few weeks back, with 5 inches of dry unplowed but rutty snow on my rural road. The type that doesn't compact... The CX5 bogged a bit @30+ or so, but handled fine at ~20+. Not surprising, and not much different from my previous 2001 4Runner SR5. Lesser snow amounts caused no concern.

I downsized to 225/65 R17 for the winter. Cheap General Altimax snow tires with studs.

 

[GP 2004]

I downsized to 225/65 R17 for the winter. Cheap General Altimax snow tires with studs.

No studs allowed in my state.

 

[MikeM.]

No studs allowed in my state.

That's OK, there are plenty of studless winter tires that are exceptional.

I don't miss them at all.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

That's OK, there are plenty of studless winter tires that are exceptional.

I don't miss them at all.

I encounter a lot of black ice in the winter months. Couple that with idiots on cell phones and I'll take all the extra safety I can get.

 

[fdew]

I encounter a lot of black ice in the winter months. Couple that with idiots on cell phones and I'll take all the extra safety I can get.

For ice there is nothing like Studs but in my opinion, all the safety you can get would be Studded Hakapelita I was first attracted to them when I read that they were not allowed in European winter rallies because they allowed the cars to drive to fast.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

For ice there is nothing like Studs but in my opinion, all the safety you can get would be Studded Hakapelita I was first attracted to them when I read that they were not allowed in European winter rallies because they allowed the cars to drive to fast.

Yeah, those are nice looking winter tires. Not only did I have to buy the tires for the CX5, I also had to buy the smaller rims. And I also bought a set of studded snows for my girlfriends CRV. So I went with the Generals this time around to help keep the cost down, but will strongly consider the Hakkapeliitta's next time around.

 

[axel2078]

This is good to know. I also got the AWD version. We don't get snow very often around here, but when we do, it usually hangs around for weeks, so it would be nice to have the AWD when it's finally needed. Did your car come with the Continental tires on it? Mine came with all-season Kuhmo tires.

 

[Lbear]

This is good to know. I also got the AWD version. We don't get snow very often around here, but when we do, it usually hangs around for weeks, so it would be nice to have the AWD when it's finally needed. Did your car come with the Continental tires on it? Mine came with all-season Kuhmo tires.

I swapped the Toyo A23 out immediately after I got the vehicle and replaced them with the Conti's. The Conti's are better performers in the snow and rain.

 

[fdew]

Yeah, those are nice looking winter tires. Not only did I have to buy the tires for the CX5, I also had to buy the smaller rims. And I also bought a set of studded snows for my girlfriends CRV. So I went with the Generals this time around to help keep the cost down, but will strongly consider the Hakkapeliitta's next time around.

A couple of notes for others that might be looking. Many Mazda rims will fit the CX-5 I found a set of 17s on Crags list from a 2004 Mazda6 They fit perfect and were cheep. In a lot of places the Hakkapeliitta is a premium tire with a price to match. I asked my local repair shop about them. He had never heard of them but found his wholesaler could get them. He charges the same mark up he would on a cooper snows. Mounted balanced, new valve stems, and on the car was $667 so ask around.