Mazda Cylinder Deactivation

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How is the CD in the Skyactiv engine family? I read the 3's had some issues but they were corrected via software updates. Does CD impact long term reliability?
 
Mazda's don't have cylinder deactivation. Well at least my 2013 doesn't. I was unaware they were using CD in skyactiv engines.
 
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CD shouldn't affect long term reliability.

2019 was the first year the Mazda3 had CD.
 
There was a thread here right after it was announced. Mazda is one of the first to deactivate two cylinders on a four cylinder engine.

Of course there was plenty of wailing and consternation.

There was a software update right afterwards to clear up some initial problems but besides that I haven't heard of any issues.

Autogefühl did a review on one of the Mazda's with CD. Thomas couldn't detect anything.
 
Originally Posted by buster
How is the CD in the Skyactiv engine family? I read the 3's had some issues but they were corrected via software updates. Does CD impact long term reliability?



In my opinion the owners that will have problems are the ones who don't change their oil on a regular basis.
 
Originally Posted by PimTac
Autogefühl did a review on one of the Mazda's with CD. Thomas couldn't detect anything.


I have a 2019 3 and I concur. In my experience, it goes into two cylinder mode when going a steady speed while on flat or downhill roads. With any kind of increase in load, it goes back to four. I have not monitored it in higher speed situations (70+ interstate travel). My 3 is an AWD hatch, which may spend less time in two cylinder mode than say a FWD sedan (which is rated for MPG, too).

There's a view in the infotainment that displays current cylinder status.
 
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Thanks. The internet unfortunately isn't always a good barometer to go by but there have been a lot of complaints on certain forums about engine vibration issues some of which have not been resolved via the software update. Still researching it.
 
Originally Posted by buster
Thanks. The internet unfortunately isn't always a good barometer to go by but there have been a lot of complaints on certain forums about engine vibration issues some of which have not been resolved via the software update. Still researching it.


Hmm, I definitely have not noticed any vibration. I'm not coming from any super-refined vehicle, though. My previous DD is a 2006 Acura TSX manual with 275k miles (probably not the tightest car on the road anymore). We also have a couple 4Runners (not known for refined levels of NVH) and a Sequoia (better than the 4Rs, but not a Lexus LS).
 
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I'm unsure about Mazda, but lots of people disable the VCM in Honda/Acura's (hondas cylinder deactivation) because of stuttering/hesitation/vibration/broken engine mounts.
 
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Originally Posted by buster
Thanks. The internet unfortunately isn't always a good barometer to go by but there have been a lot of complaints on certain forums about engine vibration issues some of which have not been resolved via the software update. Still researching it.

Totally correct. The issue is like "chevy-shake"; affects some cars and not others. Software changes have not resolved matters. See www.mazda3revolution.com . I'm a Mazda fan; I have a '17 Mazda6 w/o cylinder deactivation. Wish they NEVER even tried it on their 4 cyl. engine. I just don't like the concept. Now GM with their 8 cylinder and RANDOM CD... I GUESS I could tolerate that.
 
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Originally Posted by buster
How is the CD in the Skyactiv engine family? I read the 3's had some issues but they were corrected via software updates. Does CD impact long term reliability?

It had some issues with rocker arms coming loose due to oil-pressure issues caused by algorithms in how it was done, which has since been corrected. I had a 2015 CX5, and now a 2019 turbo cx5, so I have no personal experience.
 
Originally Posted by buster
Thanks. The internet unfortunately isn't always a good barometer to go by but there have been a lot of complaints on certain forums about engine vibration issues some of which have not been resolved via the software update. Still researching it.


Do you plan on buying a Mazda with CD ?
 
Originally Posted by double vanos
Well, scratch Mazda off the list.

I'd scratch any non-turbo/SC vehicle off the list at 5600ft elevation, tbh. Mazda's turbos do not have CD.
 
Sure looks like the Mazda 2.5 turbo has CD to me....
[Linked Image]
 
Originally Posted by double vanos
Sure looks like the Mazda 2.5 turbo has CD to me.... [URL='https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/attachments/usergals/2020/03/full-4698-41981-8a05d623_f100_4d8b_976e_c577b55b27b0.png']https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...8a05d623_f100_4d8b_976e_c577b55b27b0.png[/URL][/ig]

I own one and it doesn't. That's just a dealership's website, which also says it has "permanent locking hubs" say what?

Here is Mazda's own website:


[URL]https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/2020-cx-5/specs[/URL]
What it says about the turbo model:
Quote

Engine type SKYACTIV®-G1 2.5T Dynamic Pressure Turbo DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT


What it says about the non-turbo model:
Quote
Engine type SKYACTIV®-G1 2.5L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with Cylinder Deactivation
 
I drove an AWD 3 for a couple of days while they still cant figure anything out with my 6.

It had a bad vibration on the highway. Only had 1000 miles on it. Since it wasn't mine I didn't care much, I figured it'd had been curbed and it was a wheel balance issue or something wasn't balanced in the drivetrain. Could have been engine I guess though since others brought it up.

I'd never buy a 4 cylinder with cylinder deactivation. Way too overly complicated for a MPG or 2.

My 6 gets 33-35 all the time. That 3 only got 28. I didn't drive it any different or on any different route.
 
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