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

[GFrosty]

2016.5 Transmission reset/re-learn procedure

Uncertain if this procedure works for all of the 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles, but it works perfectly with my 2016.5.

Posted in the hope it might aid other first-generation CX-5 owners.


Transmission Re-Learning Procedure

Purpose: reset the transmission's learned programming that's based on driving behaviors.

1. Drive car for 10+ minutes, to ensure it’s up to normal operating temperature.

2. Park the vehicle. Move shifter to PARK. Place foot firmly on brake pedal, and KEEP IT THERE during the entire process.

3. Move shifter into NEUTRAL.

4. Turn ignition OFF.

5. Move shifter to MANUAL(-), and HOLD it there for 5 seconds.

6. After 5 seconds, press the ignition START button. (Engine will not start.)

7. Move shifter to NEUTRAL.

8. Press the ignition START button. (Engine will start, this time.)

9. Move shifter to MANUAL(+), and HOLD it there for 5 seconds.

10. Move shifter to MANUAL(-), and HOLD it there for 5 seconds.

• Engine IDLE speed should increase.
• Gear display should show “M”.
• Can now release the shifter, but leave in “M” mode.

11. Once the engine IDLE speed goes back to normal:

• Gear display should now show “M1”.

12. Move shifter to PARK and turn the ignition OFF.

The reset/relearn procedure is now finished.

In the case of my own vehicle, apparently I drive like "a granny" much of the time, given the typical urban street layout, slower speeds, and frequent use of cruise control. Occasionally, I use the "Sport" mode, and even less frequently use the "Manual" shifting mode. But I find the relatively sluggish downshifting of the A/T to be far less apparent, following this re-learn procedure.

 

[sinistriel@]

This procedure is applicable to all Skyactiv 6 Speed automatics. If it does not work when you try it then the brake pedal is not being pressed hard enough, the fluid is not at the correct temperature, or there is a code preventing it from proceeding.

 

[jadmt]

This procedure is applicable to all Skyactiv 6 Speed automatics. If it does not work when you try it then the brake pedal is not being pressed hard enough, the fluid is not at the correct temperature, or there is a code preventing it from proceeding.

@sinistriel@ is this something you would recommend doing every so often? I have a 23 cx5 turbo and I drive it aggressively and my wife drives it passively...she drives it a lot more than I do. Just wondering if I should be doing the reset from time to time or if it would not really make a difference being two different driving techniques. thanks

 

[Lazy2.5]

@sinistriel@ is this something you would recommend doing every so often? I have a 23 cx5 turbo and I drive it aggressively and my wife drives it passively...she drives it a lot more than I do. Just wondering if I should be doing the reset from time to time or if it would not really make a difference being two different driving techniques. thanks

I wouldn't bother. It still tuned to follow more or less the same shift strategy, though @sinistriel@ claimed that the shift adaptation strategy from one skyactiv unit to another can vary significantly.

If attempting to perform the shift adapt reset and fail, the transmission will begin to surge/hard-shift every upshift except for 1-2 until I can get the reset to work.

I noticed that the shifts were quite firm for a few 100km after a successful reset, particularly the 2-3 shift (due to age and solenoid wear) - So I won't be doing the reset anymore unless I have to. Transmission shifts great except for the occasional hard-shift/stumble into third gear when it is really cold outside and i just started driving

If you try the reset and like the way the transmission feels afterwards, then keep doing it if you wish.

 

[Lazy2.5]

@GFrosty I am continuing to drive mostly in manual mode (Generally keeping the RPM's between 2000-2500RPM, rarely exceeding 3000rpm except for an occasional full throttle pull, downshift at or below 1750rpm) have been pleased with the drivetrains performance.

gears 4-6 in the auto are too tall IMO. the manual is geared shorter in those last 3 gears. that would also really help (not to mention shifting gears yourself)

 

[sinistriel@]

I wouldn't bother. It still tuned to follow more or less the same shift strategy, though @sinistriel@ claimed that the shift adaptation strategy from one skyactiv unit to another can vary significantly.

If attempting to perform the shift adapt reset and fail, the transmission will begin to surge/hard-shift every upshift except for 1-2 until I can get the reset to work.

I noticed that the shifts were quite firm for a few 100km after a successful reset, particularly the 2-3 shift (due to age and solenoid wear) - So I won't be doing the reset anymore unless I have to. Transmission shifts great except for the occasional hard-shift/stumble into third gear when it is really cold outside and i just started driving

If you try the reset and like the way the transmission feels afterwards, then keep doing it if you wish.

Thats an indication that you have enough wear in the R-3-5 clutch set that the adaptive strategy to counteract the wear is coming close to the end of its parameters.

 

[sinistriel@]

@sinistriel@ is this something you would recommend doing every so often? I have a 23 cx5 turbo and I drive it aggressively and my wife drives it passively...she drives it a lot more than I do. Just wondering if I should be doing the reset from time to time or if it would not really make a difference being two different driving techniques. thanks

When I had my car I would do it every 3 months to take baseline measurements to monitor wear. The AAS algorithm is constantly monitoring driver input, your results may vary.

 

[jadmt]

When I had my car I would do it every 3 months to take baseline measurements to monitor wear. The AAS algorithm is constantly monitoring driver input, your results may vary.

so if you had my car and had not done it yet and were at 45000 miles would you bother to do it? thanks

 

[sinistriel@]

so if you had my car and had not done it yet and were at 45000 miles would you bother to do it? thanks

For science lol. A lot of people have said they like how it drives after and others have reported it drives rhe same. It wont hurt anything to try.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Thats an indication that you have enough wear in the R-3-5 clutch set that the adaptive strategy to counteract the wear is coming close to the end of its parameters.

What do you recommend? The filter and fluid has been serviced regularly. It could probably use a drain and fill soon. I have nearly 350k km on the car

 

[N7turbo]

gears 4-6 in the auto are too tall

I think it's the opposite. At least for 6th, it only drops the RPM by ~350. That's the gear we need to stretch out on the interstate but it hardly makes a difference. Instead, we're turning 2500 RPM at 75 mph.

 

[jadmt]

I actually think the 6speed gearing is perfect in my 23 cx5 turbo. cruising at 80mph I still have plenty of powerband to kick it up to 100mph very quickly to get around semi trailers that are cruising at 79.5mph.

 

[N7turbo]

cruising at 80mph I still have plenty of powerband to kick it up to 100mph very quickly to get around semi trailers that are cruising at 79.5mph.

Of course, power-wise, it is perfect for the turbo. You're right in the power band for passing without any downshifts necessary. But it's not ideal for economy.

 

[jadmt]

Of course, power-wise, it is perfect for the turbo. You're right in the power band for passing without any downshifts necessary. But it's not ideal for economy.

mine still gets pretty good mpg. I get 30+ driving 65-70 and ~25mpg driving 80-85 with plenty of 100+ spurts.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I think it's the opposite. At least for 6th, it only drops the RPM by ~350. That's the gear we need to stretch out on the interstate but it hardly makes a difference. Instead, we're turning 2500 RPM at 75 mph.

I forgot that the CX-5 is geared shorter than the Mazda 3/6.

The auto 6 is at like 2200rpm going 75mph, whereas the manual transmission would be closer to what you see with your auto CX-5.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I actually think the 6speed gearing is perfect in my 23 cx5 turbo. cruising at 80mph I still have plenty of powerband to kick it up to 100mph very quickly to get around semi trailers that are cruising at 79.5mph.
View attachment 382213

Glad to hear that you're happy with the gearing while passing trucks at 100mph.

I've tested out the CX-5 turbo gearing at normal speeds, and it seemed to work well.