Winter is coming! Help prepare for the cold weather and snow by following these helpful tips.
The Mazda CX-5 typically comes with what Mazda calls the i-Activ all wheel drive system. This system was built to help the SUV move as effortlessly as possible through tough road conditions, especially when its covered in snow.
Mazda i-Active All Wheel Drive
The beauty of Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system is due to the 27 different sensors that are being monitored over 200 times per second. Unlike typical AWD or 4WD systems, the Mazda version actively monitors the readings such as wheel speeds, engine dynamics, driver inputs, temperature, etc. All this data is then analyzed by software so the proper adjustments to engine torque can be made for each wheel. In essence, this allows the car to adapt to the road conditions before the driver feels any sort of loss in power or wheel slippage.
Getting Mazda CX-5 Ready for Winter
Just due to the Mazda CX-5’s superior build quality and i-Active AWD system, it is considered a “beast in the snow.” However, not all terrain or heavy snowstorm can be outwitted just by software and smart torque adaption. Sometimes you may need to prepare for a lot more snow or a long road trip through harsher winter conditions.
Mazda CX-5 Snow Tires for Winter
If you believe the built in system cannot offer you the traction that is needed to drive through snowy roads then look into purchasing snow tires. This goes for all car brands and models as snow tires are a proven solution to help combat severe winter weather.
Winter tires provide some great benefits, especially when it comes to gaining better traction on snow covered roads. This is typically thanks to the treads on snow tires helping move snow away from the car while driving forward. They also help the car keep a better grip on the roads, which reduces slippage on icy roads.
Spending over $800 dollars may not be ideal but for those that want the added peace of mind knowing that your car is ready to taken on winter, it may be a good investment.
Shoveling out CX-5 in winter
When all else fails, it may be smart to keep a shovel in the car in case of extra severe road conditions.
Doesn’t matter if you’re in the city and looking to get out of your parking spot after a winter storm or you’re out in the mountains where there is a small hill made up of snow. There will be times when having snow tires and an effective AWD system won’t be enough.
For times such as those, we recommend you stay prepared by keeping a heavy duty shovel somewhere in your car. A shovel can help dig your car out of a parking spot or simply carve a path hundreds of miles away from the city roads.
If you think your car may lack the necessary space then feel free to checkout our tips on expanding your storage. If you’re the avid outdoorsy type then we highly recommend you check it out.
In conclusion, the Mazda CX-5 is great off road and on harsh winter conditions. The built in AWD system will help you stay on the road and drive over slippery and icy roads. If needed, you can upgrade the tires to snow tires for better grip on the snow. Finally, it is highly recommended to keep a heavy duty shovel because you never know when a path may need to be created.
We also recommend you follow the tips and recommendations provided on this article to help prolong your CX-5.