How can I improve the power delivery of my '18 NA FWD CX5? I find it very anemic from standing to a needed quick acceleration to be able to cross a street with heavy traffic.

 

There is nothing meaningful you can do, intakes and exhausts will not make much difference except in sound. Best suggestion is to upgrade to a turbo version.

 

Does the 18 have Sport Mode? That is about the only thing you might be able to do.

In Hondas I have had in the past, there is a transmission reset you could sort of do. I don't know if Mazdas are the same. The Honda 6 speed auto transmission had a learning mode, and if you grandmothered the car, it learned that style of driving. I took over the car from my wife, reset by disconnecting the battery for 30 mins, and it relearned a more spirited style. Not a lot of difference like NA to turbo, but the response difference was noticeable. The gas mileage also went down.

 

Please tell me more about this trany learning mode. I can't find anything on the internet or in my 2022 user manual so I suppose mazda doesn't have it.

 

This might help - and Mazda wont tell you that it makes any difference. ~ it may not , But I now have 4k-mi on my 22 NA -CE - / with the 19" rims - I do keep them at 37-38psi ( cold check )
35 is reccemended - roads are good where I live. and pavements not hot now - and not going on a road trip : Point .....So i was using premium gas at places where you get memberships / discounts ...hint / and other supposed top tier gas stations -

since day 1 -my CX was just not smooth and couldnt find a spot at low speeds that was not accelerating or decel - confounding - had 1st svcs - still rough - jumpy - I knew svcs would say ...drive it more agressively , it should be fine ..... Finally , at 4k ....waited til tank was near E - and filled with premium Chevron 91 -

problem solved - dont know whats in the gas , but it rips/ definitly faster - and smooth- So with the trans programming ( I sold Mazdas and Toyotas + Every German car in the USA- ...point. ~ SOME mfgrs -having. 2 master keys , each will identify the key with a specific driver / thus programming / seats / radio etc - but I dont know if Mazda keys recognize each set ?
But , this Im pretty sure of , the tcm : pcm will continually be updating based on your habits , as they change so start driving more agressively - You can get a OBD ., which would save settings, and can reset setting , more $$ can set up more advanced stuff- shift points etc- and you can rent them from most auto parts places by the day - See if the dealer will re-flash it for you -You get free adjustments in the first 1 year / 12 months ( most sales dont even know about the adjustment period of the warranty/ but its how you word it to service - - you can theoretically get an alignment as long as you dont say you caused it /. its been " off " since I took delivery ...ya get my drift - But the TCM reset is an easy quick task - dealers good , they should not whine - I personally would just be honest - and hopefully you get a good svcs writer - if not - play hardbsll / the WARRANTY states you have free adjustments , brakes, alignment , belts and this is that - good luck

 

Heres 3 stages of suggestions , which he seems pretty honest about-i meant ECU not pcm ../anyway , late just finished work /. but i see you have an 18 , which is good - check out what he has , guys been around a while , so somethings working :

https://www.torquecars.com/mazda/cx5-tuning.php

 

What engine do you have? My '16 is very responsive and it's never seemed down on power. I'm rather surprised I haven't gotten a ticket with it yet. I've had cars with huge torque engines and high powered sports cars. I have the 2.5 in mine. I think some had a 2.0 engine so that may be a factor. Except for the brakes, my car is bone stock and has only gotten routine maintenance since I got it 2 1/2 years ago. I don't baby it but I don't abuse it. 50,000 miles in the 2 1/2 years and it's always had plenty of power.

 

I have the 2.5 NA engine.
And yes it has the Sport mode, that I only use when I have to cross a street with heavy traffic.
My wife used to drive this CX5 on a more relaxed way, probably it got used to her way of driving it.

 

not sure exactly what you call "anemic:/ Comparing to what?

Ok so my suggestion is contact Versa Tuner. Depending on your production date of your MAZDA they may have a a kit. This WILL wake you 2.5 engine up.
VersaTuner

Plus once you get it things like CarpeDiem mentioned in his responses earlier will in fact make even more of an improvement because you can adjust the ECU and take advantage of what they were originally thought to be for.

 

Well this is simple test. If the ECU did the slight adaptive for her slumber driving style then, using a SCAN TOOL at the diagnostic connector go to re-set DTC, even if there is none. Then hop over to the Monitors and re-set them. Then drive a little more sporty for a few days and that will set the ECU adaptive for that driving style. It will make a difference but remember the ECU only has narrow adjustment maps for adaptive.


See post #16 this thread
'18 CX5 Lag-Acceleration - Page 2 - Mazda Forum - Mazda Enthusiast Forums