Fuel Brands

[GJ-Molestor]

I think the BMW would still be a little bit more fun, in stock form as long as you opt for RWD. The WRX will be almost as involving to put through a corner, but not as outright capable. Owning an f10 5 series myself I 100% agree with you on your statement about F chassis BMW's, but I would not take a WRX over the newer 3 series either way... A brz maybe, as it would emit the more involved driving experience. That's not to say that the BMW's aren't fun anymore, just not quite as good as before.

With that being said, the chassis in my Mazda 6 feels a hell of a lot like a 3 series f30 or even e90 chassis in terms of its imperceptible ability to switch between straight line stability and cornering prowess. With a limited slip diff and some bilstein b12's + sway bars in there, the BMW would be an absolute monster and offer tons of driver involvement.

Same story with your average Mazda, it's very fun to drive but once you start really pushing it, the differential is a real let-down and the suspension is a bit too soft for hard cornering.

 

[yrwei52]

Which gas stations do you all use for your CX-5? From what I read, any unleaded 87 octane is ok, but sometimes different fuels produce better mpg', etc.

Anyway, just curious what works best with the SkyActiv engine?

Our CX-5 sees only the Shell regular octane 87 ⋯

 

[Monterra]

There is one other thing they've gotten horribly wrong- (to stay off topic) is electric assisted steering. My RWD X1 has it- have to say it took me a little while to realize how bad (feel wise) it truly is- by far the worst aspect of the drive and really takes the car from I'd strongly consider buying it as it is a pretty nice mix of practical (kid, wife and golf clubs fit in nicely even at the same time) and fun(added novelty of drifting this thing always makes me smile) to omg the brz feels like heaven in the hands- I don't need 2 practical cars!

Shell 87 in the CX5 almost exclusively also

 

[GJ-Molestor]

Doesn't your x1 feel light and overly boosted or is it heavy?

My 5 series f10 has great electric steering, never saw anything wrong with it. It's heavy, a little bit lacking in feel, but it still does have feel and firms up nicely when you corner. I actually like it quite a lot. Most likely the reason why you don't like your steering is because the soft Suspension dulls it and makes it feel sloppy.

I don't see any point in exclusively sticking to shell unless you use the 91 octane which is ethanol free. American shell isn't ethanol free by the way.

 

[GP 2004]

I test drove a WRX and had a blast in it. Felt like driving a go-kart around the city. My problem with it is the cheap materials in the interior. Felt like driving a Corolla with AWD and a Turbo. As great as a Turbo+AWD drives, I couldn't justify the price tag with the cheap feeling interior.

I too looked at the WRX, and it was fun to drive, but I need an automatic trans (my knee won't last long in stop and go traffic) and the dealer didn't have one and wouldn't get one to test unless I bought it first, and they wouldn't budge on the sticker price. It was more expensive than the CX-5 and it burned premium gas only.

 

[NelsonLewis]

You think those are fun, try a 350whp 2800lb twin turbo FD.

Although that's fun,I'd like to see the tune on that thing as it's leaving 20-25hp on the table,and close to 50 if you'll port it.

Really fun cars,but like a 240sx to me,even more fun with an LS swap...

 

[Monterra]

My X1s steering usually feels over boosted- generally too light and doesn't weight up progressively or even so consistently off center. Eco-pro mode helps weight it up and the turbo hits way harder when you lay into it (believe it not) but you can't turn off the nannies in eco-pro so its a half full scenario either way unfortunately..

 

[Jman136]

I'm confused now. When I start my 17 GT and put it in drive, my headlights come on. When it gets dark my headlights with fog lights come on and the headlight indicator pops on the instrument cluster.

I turned off my auto sensing wipes as I like to control those, and I always automatically turn my headlights on when it's raining, snowing, etc.

So, is that normal for my headlights to be on all of the time? I've messed with settings, but I can't turn them off.

Last, if the headlights are LED, how long do the bulbs last?

 

[7eregrine]

The bulbs should last a very long time. Much longer then standard lights.

Wouldn't get one unless you bought it first? Wtf? Screw that dealer...

 

[yrwei52]

I'm confused now. When I start my 17 GT and put it in drive, my headlights come on. When it gets dark my headlights with fog lights come on and the headlight indicator pops on the instrument cluster.

I turned off my auto sensing wipes as I like to control those, and I always automatically turn my headlights on when it's raining, snowing, etc.

So, is that normal for my headlights to be on all of the time? I've messed with settings, but I can't turn them off.

Last, if the headlights are LED, how long do the bulbs last?

Looks like you replied to the wrong thread.

Yep, US 2017 CX-5 paired LED headlights with DRL function. Your LED headlights will be on all the time whenever you're driving. There're many discussions on this matter already. The best is to call or email Customer Experience Center of Mazda North American Operations and complain as a 2017 CX-5 owner.

2017 CX-5 drl question

How long would these LED headlights last? Who knows. Based on the history of the 2016(.5) LED DRLs, they seem to be problematic.

Daytime running lights dim/flickering

 

[7eregrine]

4 people in that thread. Yes...the LEDs are "problematic". Come on yrwie....

 

[PatrickGSR94]

Top Tier gas for our car, whatever's cheapest which is usually the local Marathon station.

 

[Panda_415]

I guess I should stop caring about mpg and just drive my CX5 the same way I drove my WRX...
I'll start driving in sport mode once I hit 1,000 miles ...

I traded in my WRX for the CX5 for insurance reasons and that I have to drive my elderly parents.

 

[yrwei52]

4 people in that thread. Yes...the LEDs are "problematic". Come on yrwie....

4? There're 10 failures reported in that thread alone and those LED DRLs were failed within 2 years or less! Those LED DRLs are only on 2016(.5) CX-5 GT with Tech Package and many of those owners may not aware the flickering or dimming LED DRLs unless they check them on purpose as stated in some of the posts in that thread. And most CX-5 owners are never get on this board. With that many reports in a single thread within such a short period of time for LED DRL usage, I certainly consider it's "problematic", especially it'd cost $1,500 to fix just one side with part and labor!

 

[dougal]

I guess I should stop caring about mpg and just drive my CX5 the same way I drove my WRX...
I'll start driving in sport mode once I hit 1,000 miles ...

I traded in my WRX for the CX5 for insurance reasons and that I have to drive my elderly parents.

The mileage will generally improve as the car breaks in. I was at ~24 MPG for my first 3000 miles and am now closer to 26.3 MPG for the next 87,000 miles. Also, I find aggressively getting up to speed and than maintaining it works better than trying to baby it up to speed.

I also had a WRX (older) and loved it. The gas mileage was good and consistent and the performance was outstanding. Just not a reliable car (in those days!).

 

[finch204]

4? There're 10 failures reported in that thread alone and those LED DRLs were failed within 2 years or less! Those LED DRLs are only on 2016(.5) CX-5 GT with Tech Package and many of those owners may not aware the flickering or dimming LED DRLs unless they check them on purpose as stated in some of the posts in that thread. And most CX-5 owners are never get on this board. With that many reports in a single thread within such a short period of time for LED DRL usage, I certainly consider it's "problematic", especially it'd cost $1,500 to fix just one side with part and labor!

So it's not an issue for 2016 only CX-5 models? I have a 2016 not a 2016.5 model.

 

[brillo54]

Top Tier gas for our car, whatever's cheapest which is usually the local Marathon station.

Almost always Marathon until recently. Two local stations converted to Shell (one was a Sunoco, the other a Country Mark). One station manger told me they had to do a complete system clean-out at the switch-over so I'm giving Shell a try. Same cost for either. It's almost hard to find a non Top Tier station near me except for some truck stops.

 

[yrwei52]

So it's not an issue for 2016 only CX-5 models? I have a 2016 not a 2016.5 model.

Those reported problem mostly are from 2016 CX-5 GT with Tech LED Signature DRLs as they're older. I hope this's just a batch of inferior parts got assembled into the unit, but only Mazda and Stanley know the real story.

 

[7eregrine]

I'm sure it is. And they all failed under warranty. This should be reassuring, not alarming.

 

[yrwei52]

I'm sure it is. And they all failed under warranty. This should be reassuring, not alarming.

They all failed under warranty SO FAR as those 2016 and 2016.5 GT with Tech LED Signatute DRLs only exist in these MYs, and they all mostly likely still under warranty. Not until we see the failure stops popping up, we don't know if this failure will keep happening or not, even after warranty for those all have expired. Only time will tell.