Hi. My son has a 2022 CX-30 PF (he's the original owner). We just changed the oil and washed the car. He's happy with it so far at 30K miles. We just happened to look thru the lower front bumper to see plenty of damage to the cooling fins on the lower radiator. Such damage is never good on cooling fins. Anyone think that this is normal, or possibly his car is missing some kind of protective trim? Thanks. Mike

 

Front radiators, AC condensers and other parts have been exposed to front impact zone for decades without any real regular problems . When I say decades I mean from the 1940 or older to 2025 and even the upcoming 2026 vehicles

 

Welcome to the forum

 

TY for the welcome.

 

TY for the reply. Good to know that this design is typical and typically not an issue. My experience with any device with cooling fins (AC units, radiators, etc.) is that when they get banged up and compressed they lose a great deal of surface area, therefor reducing their effectiveness. I've never had a vehicle with such exposed radiator cooling fins. Possibly because the openings are so low to the ground, the radiator takes more road debris abuse. My daughter has a 2024 Forester and the radiator is not exposed so low to the ground. I'd hate to think that his engine is running hot. So many issue when an engine runs hot.

 

There are countless vehicles over history that are far more exposed then any Mazda .

 

Condensers and any HVAC cooling device is designed with a great deal of surface area for cooling (fins). Having the fins exposed to damage, so that they are smashed into a lump, reduces surface area and the intent/design. Regardless of how many "countless" vehicles have been designed this way. "Countless"? Hardly. BAD design.

 

so yes it will somewhat reduce the efficiency but it is so slight it is almost not worth measuring.

We have measured the effects decades ago both the coolant and AC temperatures on a core the we slowly bent the fins or blades down simulating impact damage. What we found is nothing changed with up to 60% bent fins. However mud dirt , bugs and anything that suck to the tubes by more then 25% increased cooling temperatures and caused the super heat switch to trigger shutting of the AC.

I guess you must hate some Mazarati, Alfa Romeo, MG and ever AC Cobras to name a few of them post known worldwide for having radiators and condensers total un- obstructed