Has anybody used the "accelerator kick down switch" feature? It is explained on p. 16 of the Smart Start Guide, but it's impossible to tell what it does from the explanation there, and I can't find it in the Manual. What does it do, and when does one use it?
Has anybody used the "accelerator kick down switch" feature?
- Thread starter Mdbernie
- Start date
It drops the transmission 2 gears down.
I don't use it much on my 2014 2.5L, but the other day I had a 2013 2.0 loaner car from the dealer, and i had to use it all the time on freeway onramps.
I tried it out on the freeway, while in 5th gear, just gassing it takes it down to 4th, but if you push the kick down switch, it drops it to 3rd.
Just think of it as a go-fast foot button lol.
I don't use it much on my 2014 2.5L, but the other day I had a 2013 2.0 loaner car from the dealer, and i had to use it all the time on freeway onramps.
I tried it out on the freeway, while in 5th gear, just gassing it takes it down to 4th, but if you push the kick down switch, it drops it to 3rd.
Just think of it as a go-fast foot button lol.
SayNoToPistons
Wheels, not rims...
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- CX-5 GT AWD w/ Tech, RX-8 GT 6spd w/ 'goodies'
^ That. Pushing the throttle tot he max without the kick down will either keep the gear you are on, or only downshift one gear down at most. It is there for efficiency reasons.
doughboyr6
Member
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- 2013 CX-5 GT
no idea what this switch is and i've had the car for over 1 yr...lol
doughboyr6
Member
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- 2013 CX-5 GT
ahh...i thought it was a toggle switch that we can manually engage.
how is this different than any other normal kickdown?
how is this different than any other normal kickdown?
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- 2023 CX-5 Premium; 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch
That's what I'm wondering. Maybe this is just a feature they decided to talk up on the 2014, but has been included on CX-5s from the beginning? I mean, it's not uncommon for the 2013 autobox to drop 2 gears if you really stomp on it.
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Yes, observed exactly that in my 2013 CX-5 in 17K miles of driving.
I've used it once when passing on a two lane road. Basically if you push the accelerator all the way down you will notice there is a point that has resistance. If you continue pushing it at this point, you will engage a switch where you can feel a noticeable "click". This engages the go-juice.
NinjaNoises
Member
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- CX-5 Sport MT
NOS button. lol.
I wonder how many timid drivers were put off from buying the car thinking that it's slow without ever using this "NOS" functionality.
During my testdrive of the automatic 2013 model it took me a few attempts at flooring it to find the kickdown switch and really get the car to move.
The functionality of the two versions are essentially the same with one difference - the newer models have tactile feedback (resistance) built into the last bit of accelerator pedal travel. This allows the driver to get maximum acceleration that is possible without downshifting two gears. Of course this is possible with the versions lacking the kickdown switch feature but is harder to achieve because there is no tactile feedback to indicate how far the pedal can be depressed without activating aggressive downshifting.
costermonger
Member
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- CX-5
My (late) 2013 has it. Actually kinda handy once you're used to it. Nice to know how far you can push it before it drops a couple gears and things get loud.
Mazda USA just posted a video about the Kickdown Switch 2 days ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w4sMW1n7W8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w4sMW1n7W8
I wish my earlier 2013 had it. My right foot is better trained now after 1 year of ownership, but the detent should be more consistent.
