Hello, new to this forum. Living in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada This is my first winder with 2020 CX-5 (upgraded 2016). 2016 didn't indicate engine temperature (only blue light) but this 2020 does. 2016 didn't have any issues throwing heat. This new 2020 doesn't seem to get as warm and is only runs around 70degC running around town while the ambient temperature is -20degC. Called the dealership and they said that this is a very common issue and that I should consider trying to block my grill with a piece of carpet or cardboard. I am very skeptical that this engine can't maintain 100degC unless I'm driving at highway speed. My question is... Can anyone else tell me what temperature their CX-5 is operating at when just driving around town (eg: 50km/hr) while the ambient temperature is below 0 degC?

Update: Called another dealer and service manager said “unfortunately this is quite common and “normal””. Pretty impossible to install some cardboard in front of radiator without some fairly major disassembly. Might temporarily try some tie wraps and cardboard to see if it helps and go from there.

 

Have not had an issue with the 2019 Signature for heat or temperature. Can't recall off the top of my head what the running temperature has been (but it was higher than 70) but it has been the same whether summer or now winter. We were out for a country drive Sunday night in -30C and out this morning at -18C and no issues with the heat. I will post the temperature after I am out tomorrow morning.

btw... I know the old carpet or cardboard trick in front of the radiator is an old school practice... but on a new vehicle this should absolutely NOT be required, and I would never do this on a newer vehicle. You may have a thermostat issue or a low coolant issue.

 

Thanks SoulRedCX-5, The dealer is telling me that my condition is "normal" and that is unfortunately a result of Mazda engineers developing an engine that is too good at dissipating heat in combination with the "cylinder deactivation" feature. The vehicle doesn't generate enough heat when running on 2 cylinders. They are suggesting the ol cardboard in front of the grille trick. Pretty frustrating on a 6month old vehicle. I am anxious to see what temperature your vehicle runs at when driving around town at 40-50km/hr.

 

Good luck with that attempt to put cardboard in front of radiator.
It's not an easy task. No room and no access. Tried to get to the front to install
a 'bug' screen and couldn't find a way in there. Short of taking large portions of
the front apart, you'll have a rough time.
While I don't get -20°C, I do get down to single digits and the temp. gauge sits at
205° F with several minutes of running (15?).

 

I'm in NE NJ and it was about 25 degrees F this morning and the blue temp light was on until I drove - slowly for 1 mile and this was after letting it idle/warm up for a minute. I guess that is normal for this car. But the heat produced in the car was perfectly fine. I do have to say I miss my heated steering wheel that I had on my Audi.

 

It was -16C (3F) this morning and in the 15 minute drive from home to downtown the engine temperature slowly climbed up to about 85C to 90C (185F-195F). The heat from the vents was ok.

Now after reading your second post to the thread I realize that we have different engines.... I have the 2.5Turbo which is standard in the Signature model and which does not have cylinder deactivation. So I am thinking that, while I would have expected the engine temperature to be closer to 100C, I do not have any issue related to lack of heat in the CX-5.

If you continue to have that no heat or poor heat condition I would first check your cooling system to ensure you have proper coolant level with no air lock. Pretty hard to believe that those "Mazda engineers" did not consider that these cars would be driven at outdoor temperatures of -20C and lower.

 

One would think that 'cylinder de-activation' wouldn't occur until the
engine was up to operating temperature. But then, who knows?

 

Hi there - I live in Alberta, my wife and I have owned 4 CX-5's. Newest is 2020 2.5l non turbo. Every one of our cars has had the same issue - poor cabin heating on cold winter days, and low engine temps even after 40 minutes of continuous highway driving. In my opinion these are excellent cars, easy to work on, excellent fuel economy and fair price. But this 2020 is likely the last one I'll buy. They don't come with a block heater because the geniuses at Mazda don't think their cars need them, and they are not going to address the crappy heater output in the cabin. I am fairly certain that if every female potential customer in Canada were to test drive their new CX-5 on a typical cold day of -30 in January or February, they would sell NO cars. Get used to a low engine temp (mine is 80° after 45 minutes of continuous highway driving) and you just have to live with sub par cabin comfort when it's cold. The dealers aren't going to help you to remedy this.

 

If you do rig up something like the big rig truckers, remember not to cover the front camera and radar sensor, if you have them.

 

I am not sure how you're reading the vent temperatures? Maybe before assuming what you think they are check them. It soooooo easy. You may find that the air is a lot warmer than you think it is. The coolant routing allows for the colder operating temperature.

One way is using a simple kitchen temperature gauge. I have used these in all my vehicle for decades.








Oh it is a coincidence the temperature in my garage and the interior of the MAZDA are 80F rolmao.