Tom just curious and I might add good response, the coolant light on the dash during cold starts will go off when the coolant has reached 129.9F which theoretically the transmission fluid should be as well. However early morning cold temperatures I have noticed that my independent coolant and transmission temperatures are not close to the same. When my coolant is registering's 130F(from ECU as well analog sensor and gauge +/- 5F) or ECU established operations into what is called "closed loop" the transmission fluid at the pan is 100F or lower. This means that although the coolant is flowing into the transmission warmer the transmission is so cold that it is cooling the 130F coolant down -15-30F degrees. This cooler transmission fluid does affect how the transmission will feel and shift until the fluid reaches at least 160F and not more than 220f.

 

Same experience here with a 2023 base 2.5 CX-5 with about 3k miles. Only seems to do it when cold and the outside temp is 50 or below. I have not done anything and am not worried

 

I own 2 CX-5s: a 2020 Signature with 2.5T and a 2022 CX-5 with 2.5L. Both of them have this slight flare between 2-3 only when cold and under moderate acceleration. The blue coolant light must be on and it occurs once. If I accelerate light, it does not do it. All other shifts, up and down, are VERY smooth once the blue coolant light is off. I reported the issue to my dealer and they immediately knew what I was talking about. The said it was normal, which I didn't believe. I asked them to test drive another 2022 at the time and it also had the same flare. Just recently, I went an test drove a 2022 that was for sale used with 17,000 miles on it. It had the exact same flare. I found the check procedure in many locations but decided to purchase a subscription to alldatadiy to see the service manual trans fluid check procedure. I went through the whole thing from accessing the dipstick, getting my scanner to read TFT, and checked. Fluid was exactly between the appropriate marks on the dipstick. I feel like I did all of my due diligence and have determined this behavior is common and normal.

 

Cold temps will affect any man-made mechanical parts and systems.
Nothing runs exactly the same in every possible temperature condition and do mean nothing.
All mechanical equipment has various degrees of measurable tolerances especially those exposed to large variance in temperatures.
Every single vehicle with an automatic transmission does this but humans only notice it when they can actually feel it.
It is only a real issue if it falls outside those tolerances.

 

Most people are not as sensitive to sounds and slight deviations in their vehicle's characteristics etc., but I think you hit the mark with this response.

My response to Tom was more or less for a few other members to read and consider as well but that does not happen very often, right? LOL

 

Our '21 2.5T does this occasionally as well. My 9-sp Frontier also has a 1-2 flare when cold out for the first shift of the day (when I have been working overnight and temps are cold when I start the truck - it doesn't seem to do it when it's been in my garage overnight, but the CX-5 does). Goes away when it warms up.

 

Another good response!

The Skyactive transmission has several electronically controlled servos and a couple are extremely small, so oil temperature is vital to their control operation that directly affect the shifting quality.

 

Same here, 2022 turbo. Noticeable but slight surge when cold. Always goes away when it warms up.

 

This may be a caution for you and other's to let the engine warm up at least until the coolant light is deactivated. Failure at some point may start a path of future transmission concerns.
Maybe start the engine in advance and let it warm up 6-8 minutes even 10 minutes (better) in advance before driving?

 

I have the exact same problem with my 2023 CX-5. Certainly doesn't seem "normal" to me either.