Shifting in cold weather

[Dxdave]

2.4 auto trans. Seems to wind out a bit and shift pretty hard/rough until warmed up. New to me 2023 wirh 24k. Normal?

 

[SparkYellow]

Folks here would want to know how cold it was. I haven't dealt with anything below 35°F.

 

[Dxdave]

Single digits like 8 or so

 

[N7turbo]

Yeah, it's normal.

My car comes out of the garage now so it starts its morning at about 40-50°F. However I have made trips in the 0°F weather recently so it still takes a while to warm up. But there is definitely a difference compared to when I used to park it outside.

 

[GFrosty]

2.4 auto trans. Seems to wind out a bit and shift pretty hard/rough until warmed up. New to me 2023 wirh 24k. Normal?

Single digits like 8 or so

On my 2016.5 CX-5, I try to drive very gingerly until the car's drive train has warmed up well. And, yeah, particularly in temps <20ºF, it can take longer before everything feels zippy and responsive (shifting smoothness, etc). Definitely at least so long as the "blue" dash light is still on. But in practice I generally wait until several minutes more has passed.

I would guess that most cars are that way. Though, my prior Mazda3 seemed fairly tolerant of all sorts of conditions. Not that I ever "flogged" it until it was warmed up fully, but now and then I'd need to get up to highway speed prior to the car being well-warmed, and it did fine.

 

[Dxdave]

Ok thanks. A little longer warmup will help.

 

[Yo'sDad]

2.4 auto trans. Seems to wind out a bit and shift pretty hard/rough until warmed up. New to me 2023 wirh 24k. Normal?

There is a TSB on a 2-3 flare and hard shift. It requires a reprogramming for the trans. Mine did that from day one when cold, the reprogramming totally fixed it. Free under warranty.

 

[N7turbo]

There is a TSB on a 2-3 flare and hard shift. It requires a reprogramming for the trans. Mine did that from day one when cold, the reprogramming totally fixed it. Free under warranty.

You must mean this:

N

Thread 'Anyone get their transmission computer updated?'

Nov 19, 2025

Like going in to get the ECU/TCU with updates? I hate how ours shifts and it is probably the original software from 2018.

• NorCal_MP3
• transmission update
• Replies: 10
• Forum: CX-5 Powertrain & SkyActiv

 

[SparkYellow]

If the temp gets that low my legs will need more time to warm up.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Yeah, it's normal.

It is not normal for a transmission to be shifting hard, not for any reason.

There is a TSB on this due to shift logic needing to be reprogrammed or something like this.

I have these symptoms when it falls into single digits (F) or lower, but only for the first couple shifts. Granted, I have almost 350k KM on my original transmission. It has however been serviced regularly.

A drain/fill has helped with these symptoms.

I strongly recommend to be very easy on the transmission while it is warming up. This helps with the jerks.

 

[N7turbo]

It is not normal for a transmission to be shifting hard, not for any reason.

I have these symptoms when it falls into single digits (F) or lower, but only for the first couple shifts.

Sounds normal, then.

 

[SparkYellow]

For my CX-3, the blue light goes out when the coolant temp gets up to 130. Then it stays steady around 195 unless traffic slows. The ATF temp, on the other hand, climbs very slowly. It was still below 100 when I was ten minutes into a drive and at highway speed.

 

[SparkYellow]

The reprogramming mentioned above *is NOT what I thought* can be found here:

Thread 'Transmission reset/relearn procedure for 2016 Mazda CX-5' DIY - Transmission reset/relearn procedure for 2016 Mazda CX-5

 

[N7turbo]

The reprogramming mentioned above can be found here:

Thread 'Transmission reset/relearn procedure for 2016 Mazda CX-5' DIY - Transmission reset/relearn procedure for 2016 Mazda CX-5

That is a different thing.

 

[SparkYellow]

That is a different thing.

Is it worth trying in the current scenario (cold weather and new-to-op car)? If not, what is the reprogramming that Yo'sDad was referring to?

 

[ADS-B]

I've also experienced issues with my previous car on cold mornings. Driving in manual mode all the time, I've noticed that sometimes the car would not shift to the third gear. I would have to move the stick to the D position and let the car change gears. No issues with my current car though.

 

[zx10guy]

Is it worth trying in the current scenario (cold weather and new-to-op car)? If not, what is the reprogramming that Yo'sDad was referring to?

The difference is what's being referred to as a reprogramming is a software/firmware update the dealer performs to address bugs or specific issues.

What you linked to is to reset the adaptations in the transmission computer that is based on how the computer has learned based on your driving habits.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Sounds normal, then.

To you.

 

[madar]

Fluid level could be low

 

[SparkYellow]

The difference is what's being referred to as a reprogramming is a software/firmware update the dealer performs to address bugs or specific issues.

What you linked to is to reset the adaptations in the transmission computer that is based on how the computer has learned based on your driving habits.

Thanks! I wasn't familiar with reprogramming. So hard shifting in cold weather is more of a bug?