Mazda CX-5 engine review

Question: what gearbox is on the Mazda CX 5? - the second most popular question after the question about the power supply of crossover motors. Japanese engineers used the latest technical movement SkyActiv when developing not only engines, but also transmissions. The result is two types of 6-speed gearboxes: the manual SkyActiv MT and the automatic SkyActiv Drive.

Recently, most Mazda CX 5 buyers have opted for automatic transmission versions. A combination of driving pleasure and comfort. Taking into account customer reviews, expensive versions with a powerful engine feature exclusively automatic transmission. No one is afraid of the higher price, as well as the difficulties of servicing or repairing the Mazda CX 5 automatic transmission.

Manual transmission Mazda CX 5

The six-speed SkyActiv MT manual transmission was created on the basis of the manual transmission of the sports Mazda MX 5. The new unit for the Mazda CX 5 turned out to be compact, lightweight and more efficient than its progenitor. This was achieved by reducing the length of the intermediate shaft and removing the reverse gear axis. The travel of the manual transmission shift lever has been reduced, and gears are shifted clearly and with less effort. Reducing internal friction in the mechanism improved the vehicle's fuel efficiency.

How does a manual transmission work?

The Mazda CX-5 manual transmission is a mechanism that transmits, converts and redirects torque from the flywheel of the power plant. Gear shifting is carried out by moving the gearshift lever, i.e. mechanically.

The manual transmission design includes:

• input shaft - connected to the engine flywheel through the clutch;
• intermediate shaft - transmits rotation from primary to secondary;
• the secondary shaft with gears is rigidly connected to the driveshaft;
• additional shaft - comes into operation when reversing;
• synchronizers - used for shockless gear shifting;
• crankcase (housing);
• gear shift device with interlocks and locks;
• shift lever.

The entire operating principle of the Mazda CX-5 2021 - 2021 mechanics is built on connecting the rotating engine shaft with the wheel drives.

What is "automatic"

The term “automatic transmission” (AT) in the modern automotive industry has significantly expanded its meaning. In the technical characteristics of cars from different manufacturers, you can see many options for designating the type of gearbox: CVT, robotic, preselective DSG, hydromechanical gearbox. New developments, concepts and names. And all this so that the driver does not have to engage the next gear manually. In order to understand what kind of automatic is on the Mazda CX 5, a few words about all the possible options.

1. A robotic gearbox - in its simplest form, is a conventional manual gearbox in which an electronic unit, instead of a pedal, controls the clutch and changes gears if necessary. The advantage of this type of box is fuel efficiency. Disadvantages: slow shifting, jerky acceleration.
2. The preselective transmission with two clutches has become a further step in the evolution of the robotic gearbox. The most prominent representative is DSG boxes from Volkswagen. Structurally, two shafts are combined here, each with its own clutch, for odd and even stages. The next gear is engaged in advance, and after that the clutch shifts without interruption of torque. Today, preselective gearboxes are the most promising type of automated transmission. It has no equal in terms of switching speed and fuel economy. The disadvantages are the complexity of the design and higher price.

• Hydromechanical gearbox - “classic automatic”. Such boxes began to be installed at the beginning of the 20th century. In this case, there is no rigid connection between the engine and transmission at all. Torque is transmitted by a torque converter, replacing a manual clutch and ensuring smooth shifting. To change the gear ratio, planetary gearboxes controlled by modern electronics are used. The hydromechanical automatic transmission is highly reliable (repair may be required after 200 thousand km), as well as driving comfort. The disadvantages are low efficiency compared to other types and increased fuel consumption.

1. Variable Transmission (CVT) is a continuously variable transmission. The variator works on the principle of the gear shift mechanism on a bicycle. Torque is transmitted by the chain through sprockets of different diameters. Only in car boxes are pulleys with variable diameters used. The electronics smoothly changes the diameter of the pulleys and, accordingly, the gear ratios change. Therefore, there is no gear shifting in the usual sense. The variator has one significant drawback - reliability. The service life of the drive belt is no more than 100 thousand km. The unit also requires frequent oil changes.

The creators of the Mazda CX 5 claim that their automatic transmission combines the advantages of all known types of transmissions.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5

However, the technology has taken root in motorsports to one degree or another. In the mass automotive industry, 11:1 is still considered the extreme compression ratio for naturally aspirated engines. And our newborn has a ratio of 14:1! How did the Japanese achieve this by keeping AI-95 as a certified fuel? The stronger the compression, the higher the energy output. It's logical. But the other side of the process is self-ignition of the gasoline-air mixture due to overheating and detonation.

Automatic transmission Mazda CX 5

The development of the newest SkyActiv Drive automatic transmission for the cx 5 was carried out by Mazda engineers together with Aisin. The classic machine has undergone a number of changes:

• torque converter with a 25% wider locking zone in each gear;
• advanced control system;
• the working stroke of the gearbox selector is reduced by 5 mm;
• use of modern materials.

This made it possible to significantly improve speed and economic performance:

• the weight of the unit has decreased by more than 25%;
• fuel consumption decreased by more than 5%;
• The efficiency of the machine increased by more than 6%.
• gear shifting is faster and easier;
• increased dynamics at start.

Positive reviews from numerous owners of the Mazda CX 5 about the operation of the automatic transmission allow us to conclude that the developers coped with their task.

“The CX 5 starts easily, picks up speed and changes gears very quickly, it feels like you’re sitting behind the wheel of a manual car!” - here are the drivers' reviews.

Also, according to reviews, it turned out that owners of a crossover with a two and a half liter engine and an automatic transmission do not experience a lack of power, unlike those who purchased a Mazda with a two-liter engine.

Fuel efficiency for an automatic car weighing nearly two tons is impressive. Here are real reviews from Mazda CX 5 owners.

2.0 AT 2015: “My CX 5's gas mileage is on par with that of an average sedan. I can travel up to 700 km on one gas station.”

2.5 AT 2015: “With the climate and traffic lights, 10 liters in the city is a ridiculous figure for an SUV.”

The list of routine maintenance work for the Mazda CX 5 does not include changing the oil in the automatic transmission. The oil service life is designed for the entire service life of the automatic transmission. Experts recommend performing this procedure after a run of 55,000 km or every three years to extend the life of the high-tech unit. To replace it, you must contact a service center.

Main characteristics of Mazda CX-5 power plants

The Japanese manufacturer produces the Mazda CX-5 crossover with engine displacements of 2.0, 2.5 and 2.2 (not sold in Russia). Let's consider the main technical indicators of each power unit that are sold in the Russian Federation (gearbox type - manual and automatic).

Changing the oil in an automatic transmission Mazda CX 5

Changing the oil in a machine may be necessary only in two cases:

• oil leak;
• restoration of the box after repair.

A low level of working fluid leads to failure of automatic transmission parts. If there is a need to change the oil in a hydromechanical gearbox, it is better to use the one recommended by the manufacturer (Mazda ATF FZ).

There are several types of oil change operations:

• partial;
• partial, with filter replacement;
• complete.

You can do a partial oil change in a Mazda CX 5 automatic with your own hands. We recommend performing the remaining operations at a specialized service station. Specialists will wash the box, change the oil and filter.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5

At different times, many companies offered their solutions. How can one not remember the famous creator of the Saab turbine, Per Gilbrandt. In the late 1990s, he came up with another revolutionary idea. Why not make it so that the pressure in the cylinders can be changed depending on driving conditions in an internal combustion engine equipped with the same turbine? A prototype was built, but it did not reach the production line.

Mazda automatic transmission malfunctions

Even the most advanced device has its weaknesses. The Drive automatic transmission also has them:

• slip;
• a signal on the panel that indicates a transition to emergency mode;
• vibration;
• jerks when changing gears;
• gear drop out;
• braking;
• transmission noises.

Control solenoids are often the culprit of problems. If even one out of seven fails, the entire electronic assembly has to be replaced.

Also, with a mileage of over 90,000 km, the limit switch of the automatic transmission lever wears out. As a result, when the “P-parking” gear is engaged, it is impossible to turn off the engine.

Mechanical failures are very rare. The friction lining of the locking piston may wear out in the torque converter. Sometimes the oil pump wears out prematurely.

IMPORTANT! Towing a car with an automatic transmission to the repair site only with the lever in neutral position. Repair of the Mazda CX 5 automatic transmission must be carried out only in a professional car service center. This will save your time, nerves and money.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5

To solve this problem, the engineers did the following: they installed 6-channel injectors to enrich the mixture and gave the pistons a domed shape with a recess on top. As a result, combustion in the initial stages has improved and detonation has decreased. But this is not enough. To quickly remove hot exhaust gases from the combustion chamber and thereby improve cooling, the developers increased the length of the exhaust manifold and separated the exhaust pipes in pairs. As a result of all these decisions, engine efficiency has increased by 15% and torque has increased.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5

The vehicle's weight also affects the efficiency of the car. It is known that Mazda workers work on the bodies of each new generation of cars, making them stiffer and lighter. For example, the steel used in the CX-5 bumpers is 20% stronger than previous models. Weight loss - 4.8 kg. More than half of the body parts were optimized this way. Unfortunately, the CX-5 does not have a predecessor to make the entire upgrade clearer in comparison.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5

The comfortable, grippy steering wheel is adjustable in two directions. The seats are tight and even a little hard. The cabin is quite quiet, the noise from the engine is practically inaudible even at high speeds. Compared to other Mazda crossovers, the CX-5 is more accurate and adequate in steering response. High-speed turns are easy, as if you were driving a sedan. Five minutes to a car! However, the gasoline unit, like an innate phlegmatic, produces only that accelerating acceleration that will not harm efficiency. “Automatic” works clearly and quickly, adapting to changing dynamic modes. In many cases, this is enough for the driver, but you expect more from such “sky activity”.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5

Although in terms of chassis, you can still take the CX-7 crossover as a starting point. In relation to the older SUV in the CX-5, the tilt angles and suspension reference points have been changed to further reduce longitudinal and lateral roll. The automatic transmission is now smaller and lighter. The torque converter was given the ability to lock in the entire gear range, which reduced power loss during acceleration.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-5

Georgia has mostly good roads, although in some areas the asphalt seems to act as a lezginka under the wheels. Here you can immediately feel that the suspension was “sharpened” for good European autobahns. On a wavy surface, the hard seat shakes noticeably. In the city this will not be a problem, but on a long journey it can seriously tire the driver and passengers.