Gen 3 CX-5: Owners Chime In

[dunhillmc]

For the brake hold function, or simply releasing the parking brake without using the function? I definitely need to actuate the parking brake button to disengage it on my ‘23 without the brake hold function activated.

First time I read it above I took that as hitting the gas can disable the parking brake (sans brake hold function), but it could go either way. Would love some clarification. Great thread!

ignition on, seat belt fastened, in D or R, gas pedal will release parking brake

 

[ruthrj]

ignition on, seat belt fastened, in D or R, gas pedal will release parking brake

Thanks for confirming. That’s weird, my 23 doesn’t release the parking brake.

Edit: it does. New response below

 

[N7turbo]

The CX-5 platform was last to receive many of Mazda's design changes that appeared on other platforms years earlier, such as the cupholders, the far-forward door handles (terrible, IMO), split center console, push-to-open gas door, and other idiosyncrasies.

 

[N7turbo]

Can anyone try this and see if it works?

2017~2025 Post in thread 'Disable CX-5 DRLs?'

Jul 7, 2023

I just pulled the drl relay, flipped it over and taped it to the relays next to it inside the fuse box. The lights are now stalk controlled just like i like them. auto works as before and wife can just use parking lights for drl if she feels the need and the relay is right where it was if ever needed without searching for it.

Have you tried Mazda’s official instruction to disable the DRLs?

Guide How To Disable Daytime Running Lights (instructions)

• yrwei52

 

[zx10guy]

Buttons:

These are different than the Gen 2. I was used to the pull-up, push-down, lever type for the doors, similar to the parking brake. While the parking braking lever remains classic, the power windows and front dome light switches are different. The door window switches are lever shaped but now they are fixed and there is a long button to depress instead. Same with the dome lights on the overhead console.

Speaking of the parking brake, you no longer have to release the parking brake or brake hold. Simply touch the accelerator to go and they will self-release. This concerns me a bit because I can see a driver accidentally hitting the accelerator, therefore releasing the parking brake or brake hold without planning to, so be careful!

Gas tank door. There is no longer a release lever inside the vehicle. The door is a push-to-open type now and thankfully, it is locked when the doors are locked. The gas cap remains design as it is on the Gen 2.

The button area to the left of the steering column remains. On my Preferred, there is a button to open the rear power hatch and one to turn on/off the stabilization feature (I believe). So yes, there are still a few buttons inside the Gen 3!

Turning the i-stop off is done on the new center screen. I am trying to remember to do that every time I start the car. This is the first vehicle I have owned wit the feature. I realize that the control button used to be to the left of the steering column.

Center screen:

This may go on and on because there is a massive amount that this thing can do. A few things that are controlled here that come to mind:
*power seat memory setting
*radio controls
*volumes (can also be controlled on the steering wheel
*drive modes- Sport/Normal/Snow (can also be controlled on the steering wheel)
*i-stop
*A/C
*front seat heaters
*vehicle sensor controls
*apps
*navigation
*odometer (I believe I heard somewhere that you can set the odometer to read on the driver screen and I need to look into that!)

And there is more that I haven't dug into yet...

Mazda should do what Toyota does with the EPB. As soon as you put the car in gear, the EPB is released. There's also a setting where the EPB is automatically engaged when you put the trans in Park.

Doing it the way Mazda implements the release of the EPB will cause premature wear of the rear brake pads. I used to use the brake hold feature in my previous Toyota until I had to replace the rear pads way sooner than it should have been. Because of this I won't use the brake hold feature in my CX-5 or leave the EPB engaged to have it automatically disengaged when the trans is in drive and you give it gas.

 

[paris1]

Doing it the way Mazda implements the release of the EPB will cause premature wear of the rear brake pads. I used to use the brake hold feature in my previous Toyota until I had to replace the rear pads way sooner than it should have been. Because of this I won't use the brake hold feature in my CX-5 or leave the EPB engaged to have it automatically disengaged when the trans is in drive and you give it gas.

I generally don't do this either, but I fail to see how doing so would increase brake pad wear as you're simply releasing the EPB by using drive train torque rather than electronically.

 

[zx10guy]

I generally don't do this either, but I fail to see how doing so would increase brake pad wear as you're simply releasing the EPB by using drive train torque rather than electronically.

Try it yourself. When you put the trans in Drive and hit the gas, the EPB isn't simultaneously released. There's a momentary pause where the engine is fighting the momentary drag from the rear brakes before the rear brakes are fully released. This is where the wear to the rear pads occur with the momentary drag before full release.

The method Toyota uses is infinitely superior than how Mazda has implemented their system. With the Toyota system, there is zero drag causing rear brake pad wear as the rear brakes are already fully released prior to you hitting the gas.

 

[ruthrj]

ignition on, seat belt fastened, in D or R, gas pedal will release parking brake

Alright, I take it back. My ‘23 totally does this. I had to try on two separate occasions today. Press the gas like you expect the brake to disengage and it will learned something new

 

[Snake]

The CX-5 platform was last to receive many of Mazda's design changes that appeared on other platforms years earlier, such as the cupholders, the far-forward door handles (terrible, IMO), split center console, push-to-open gas door, and other idiosyncrasies.

The far forward door handles are going to take some getting used to but other brands have been using that design for some time. It's more industrial than luxurious.

 

[Snake]

Is the I-stop disable button available on the first screen by default? Hope it isn’t buried a level or two deep in the user interface.

No it is not but it's easy to access. The center screen opens to the customizable Home Screen with each engine start up. To get to the i-stop on/off switch, you simple hit the vehicle emblem which switches the screen to where you have the option to turn it off. Easy-breezy

 

[Snake]

The gas pedal to release parking brake has been a thing for many years. My 2017 Mazda 6 does it

The salesperson made it sound like it's a new feature. I will try it on our '24 tomorrow. As I stated earlier, it's dangerous, IMO to have the ability to release it with an accidental foot tap.

 

[Snake]

Can anyone try this and see if it works?

2017~2025 Post in thread 'Disable CX-5 DRLs?'

Jul 7, 2023

I just pulled the drl relay, flipped it over and taped it to the relays next to it inside the fuse box. The lights are now stalk controlled just like i like them. auto works as before and wife can just use parking lights for drl if she feels the need and the relay is right where it was if ever needed without searching for it.

Have you tried Mazda’s official instruction to disable the DRLs?

Guide How To Disable Daytime Running Lights (instructions)

• yrwei52

Dunno if you can manually turn off the DLR headlights (specifically) on the Gen 2 but you can, using the stalk, on the Gen 3.

 

[Snake]

Try it yourself. When you put the trans in Drive and hit the gas, the EPB isn't simultaneously released. There's a momentary pause where the engine is fighting the momentary drag from the rear brakes before the rear brakes are fully released. This is where the wear to the rear pads occur with the momentary drag before full release.

The method Toyota uses is infinitely superior than how Mazda has implemented their system. With the Toyota system, there is zero drag causing rear brake pad wear as the rear brakes are already fully released prior to you hitting the gas.

I've never used Brake Hold on our '24 Gen 2 but I'd say that the EBP and Brake Hold on the Gen 3 is more like you describe it from Toyota. I feel no drag at all. The light goes out before the vehicle starts moving.

 

[Snake]

And all this hub-bub about the engine being too weak... Not my experience. Granted, this is not a hot rod. It's not a BMW sports wagon. The CX-5 is a practical CUV first and foremost. I can feel the power in mine starting to increase as the engine breaks in. It's still not as powerful as our Gen 2 but the Gen 3 doesn't feel much like the Gen 2 anyway. I'm not a 0-60 kind of driver. I'm in it to get the maximum fuel economy. Mine climbs hills just fine, it pops off the line just fine, and it gets up to speed on the freeway on ramp just fine.

I am interested in the Mazda Skyactiv-Z/hybrid being released in a year or so. But they are talking about a considerable price increase to have that powertrain in a CX-5. That doesn't sit well with me.

It already feels stronger than the tired Gen 5 CRV turbo it replaced.

 

[ruthrj]

And all this hub-bub about the engine being too weak... Not my experience.

I never minded the lack of power in my old 2.0 L ‘13. It had a horrible 0-60 time of course, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker by any means. I have a turbo second gen and it’s a bit of a bummer it was dropped for the third gen, but the third gen powertrain isn’t a slouch like some reviews make it out to be.

 

[N7turbo]

The far forward door handles are going to take some getting used to but other brands have been using that design for some time. It's more industrial than luxurious.

When I drove the CX-50, that is the thing that annoyed me the most, aside from the hard seats. You don't have good leverage on the door with the handle that far forward. I'm disappointed they brought that to the CX-5.

 

[N7turbo]

Dunno if you can manually turn off the DLR headlights (specifically) on the Gen 2 but you can, using the stalk, on the Gen 3.

So while driving, you have full control over the light modes (ON, Park, and Off) without having to do the unlock procedure?

 

[Snake]

So while driving, you have full control over the light modes (ON, Park, and Off) without having to do the unlock procedure?

The stalk has three settings. On/Auto/and headlights off DLR. The third choice is done by twisting and holding the turn knob on the stock (it's spring loaded) for a few seconds. You'll see the headlights turn off but the rest of the DLR is still on.

 

[N7turbo]

The stalk has three settings. On/Auto/and headlights off DLR. The third choice is done by twisting and holding the turn knob on the stock (it's spring loaded) for a few seconds. You'll see the headlights turn off but the rest of the DLR is still on.

The CX-5, in the United States, has traditionally turned the DRL on automatically when it starts moving. The DRL is the headlight bulb run at a slightly lower power, and this behavior cannot be disabled with the stalk settings—unless you do the procedure.

I am asking if that is still the case.

In addition to that, your response has me asking a 2nd question: are you sure there is no parking mode for the lights?

 

[Snake]

The CX-5, in the United States, has traditionally turned the DRL on automatically when it starts moving. The DRL is the headlight bulb run at a slightly lower power, and this behavior cannot be disabled with the stalk settings—unless you do the procedure.

I am asking if that is still the case.

In addition to that, your response has me asking a 2nd question: are you sure there is no parking mode for the lights?

No parking/running light mode on the stalk. First time I've seen that in a vehicle. I will take a pic of the stalk tomorrow and I will test it on the move, but when parked in our garage, I did see them turn off when I did the simple procedure.

I'm thinking that this option is available because the DLR system is now using parking lights around the car including a small white beam below the headlight so it's not like your making the vehicle dark by turning the headlights off in the DLR mode. I like this because i always run a vehicle with parking/running lights on for visibility and for show.