Recent content by jakeuten

Interesting that both the Korean twins in the segment offer AWD as well. Not much reason to go with Subaru for a mid-size sedan I guess. The ATS system found in the legacy isn't much better than what the mechanical competitors offer. Nothing like the rear-biased VTD system in the CVT WRX.

On the 2022 and newer models, yes. On anything older, it sits at about 10% lockup by default and goes up or down from there. https://mazdas247.com/forum/t/2016-cx-5-awd-system-questions.123878840/post-6793150

The 2022 update of the CX-5 allows it to operate in FWD-only mode when AWD traction isn't needed, which wasn't possible on any previous MY. If you live somewhere with little / no snow, the rear diff may not come on often anyway. Doesn't prevent the eventual drain and fill maintenance, but if...

Full disclosure, she bought it used with about 60K miles, but it had all of the paperwork for routine maintenance done at our local Kia dealership. My mom's 2014 Forte EX (85K miles) 2.0 GDI burns 1.5qts of oil per 300 miles but the transmission is stout. It only gets oil changes (3K OCI 5W30...

Only one vehicle's owner forum has banned discussion on oil dilution... https://www.crvownersclub.com/threads/oil-dilution-discussion-merged-master-discussion-thread-updated-july-2021-closed-to-further-discussion.220882/

Hush. We're keeping that reliability secret (Non-C/D and non-turbocharged Sky-G) to keep used prices down.

I take my CX-5 on 4-10 hour round trip road trips every other weekend with 144K. I’d trust it to take me anywhere. I do hear a clunk in the front passenger side though, so perhaps it’s time for some new control arms and ball joints. It does 10K OCIs without complaint. Fresh shoes and brakes this...

I got to spend about 4 hours behind the wheel in a 2021 Ford Escape SE 1.5T driving my uncle to and from an appt. The 1.5T does a very convincing job of replicating a 2.5L N/A engine, but fuel economy can be outstanding. Under 70 MPH returned 39 MPG, making my CX-5 look thirsty at 30-34...

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a46538204/2025-mazda-cx-70-revealed/ Very strange move by Mazda here. I have to wonder what the market for this vehicle is- a 200" long 2-row crossover I can't imagine is on too many people's lists. I do like the blacked out front end. I'm curious to see how...

It’s been pretty well reported the Skyactiv engines do not require premium fuel. They did decide while engineering to allow 87. Unique piston heads, 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, and slightly de-tuned the horsepower. I have only ever run 87 in my 2016 2.5L CX-5 with over 140K miles on it and I’ve...

I've never heard of an issue with that transmission. Seems like a pretty run of the mill automatic these days, tiny torque converter that locks out really low for clutches. Similar design used by pretty much everything with a geared non-DCT transmission these days.

That's how all of the Skyactiv Drive transmissions are as far as lock up behavior. That 8 speed design should be pretty reliable hopefully, it's very similar in concept to the Mercedes 9Gtronic.

The Sport mode they added in the 2016 refresh on the 2.5L automatic options was an overkill correction for your concerns. 5% throttle = 40% of the tach

Lots of AWD SUVs do 50/50 torque split on full lockup. The main difference is Subaru loves to drive the rear clutch (Yeah, the same clutch-type system found in all of those cheap crossovers you've mentioned) a bit more often, especially during higher-speed highway driving. I love my AWD too, but...

Are you implying that Subaru has somehow figured out how to overdrive the rear wheels to allow more than 50% lockup? And they're not advertising this? Do tell.