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Comments
I understand how a smaller wheel with a higher sidewall tire may provide better snow traction (depending on the tread design and depth), but I was wondering if you could explain how a smaller wheel would provide better fuel economy. Are we assuming that the overall size of the tire+wheel combos are the same? If not, then I do understand the reasoning (decreased rotating weight). I guess the more pertinent question is, if the overall size of the wheel and tire combo is the same, is there any fuel economy to be gained/lost by changing the size of the wheel? I understand that, in general, if you increase the size of the wheel, the sidewall height would have to decrease and you end up with a choppy riding car (which debatably looks better, depending who you ask). Assuming the overall size is the same, would the fuel economy suffer as a result? :confuse:
To my eye, the 17's look wierd, but not everyone agrees, so the stock alloys would probably be easy to resell. 16s or especially 15s would open up more tire choices. Since the 5 is sold with 15s in Europe, there shouldn't be a clearance problem. If you can remember (sigh) what your 5 looked like (or see the wheel photo in Performance paragraph far down on http://pagetuner.com/mazda5/ ) there is big clearance between the wheels and the brake calipers.
A related note for when you get your 5 back: Check your tire pressures. On new delivery, mine were low; this may account for some of the mileage discrepancies among the various reports at the neighboring forum.
pagetuner
http://pagetuner.com/mazda5/
www.autoupgrade.net
http://www.hitchesonline.com/mazda_cl_5%20miniva_06n.htm
Will order when I get my 5 back!
Besides, all new hitches are BOLTED on, nobody welds hitches on anymore...most cars/trucks have pre-drilled holes, and some have electrical all set up ready to rock.
Read your lease agreement around adding accessories. You may be wasting your $$. Here in Canada - the cost of installation of a hitch is around $50 (about 20 min shop time plus materials - bolts and such). The hitch costs around $150 - $250 depending on the car/small truck.
Seriously, I'd like an answer to that question too. I suspect with a full load you'd have zero acceleration but it'll make it up in one piece.
I do believe that the manual shifter is nice to have to help hold whatever gear avoids hunting. OF course you could do that on any automatic too.
Thanks...
Thanks
Further does anyone have recommendations regarding the different makes?
Thanks
Personally I am hoping to get the Euro rack as it looks better and gives more choices for which brand of accessory mounts you can buy.
I think some of the better ones are made by Thule, I gave a link for the one from walmart, they are about $100-150
hope this helps
Personally I am hoping to get the Euro rack as it looks better and gives more choices for which brand of accessory mounts you can buy."
Same here! I'd consider the Euro rack but am not interested in the US version. It should be standard next year!
The accessory rack in the catalog looks to be of decent quality; it actually looks like it was made for Mazda by Thule. I have two concerns--I don't necessarily want to mount the rack in the position dictated by the holes in the rubber rainstripping (get in the way of the sunroof?), and I want to be able to carry wider loads/more stuff on wider crossbars, which the rack design does not seem to accomodate (as the sides of the upright mounts seem to be closed, rather than open to allow for wider crossbars). Anyone have any experience with this? Obviously, using a different upright system attached to existing roof rails (as on the Euro-spec version) would be ideal as far as moving the mount sites forward or rearwards, as you could use any part of the bar. Plus, those mounts are made to accept any width crossbars. Check out the Crossroad and Rapid Railing kits: http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/carrier_multipurpose2.asp?location=4
Hope this has been somewhat heplful. I would prefer the Euro roof rails as option, but haven't heard anything about that yet.
If so will they be available in the usa?
I am still am keen to know if thule or yakima are close to making the equipment needed to attach the cargo boxes available. does anyone know?
I would also value input of yakima vs thule vs sears whatever in terms of the qualties of the boxes/attachment equipment.
My ultimate goal is to have a wind efficient, light weight, secure box so i can take stuff with us on a road (given the limitations of cargo space in the cabin...)
thanks
I can imagine there is a size of passenger for whom the 7th seat would be just the ticket. For me, the space between the seats is precious: that's where all the stuff goes when I am trying to "clear the decks" for a flat load floor.
pagetuner
http://pagetuner.com/mazda5
looking good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
couldn't do the front windows, they told me it wasn't legal to do it even a little bit
they also come with a badge that says "dodge"
how unfortunate.
I don't understand why these options are available in europe, but not US.
I have the Mazda USA rails installed and just bought the Thule cascade XT 1500 (37 lb). Mazda seemed coy in phone calls to Mazda USA today to specify whether thule made the racks but I have seen postings on this site saying Thule made the racks (not Thule USA as they deny this).
The accessory web site rated the rails for 100 lb. load but the instructions rated the rails for 165 lb...
REI asked us to sign a waiver as the box has not been tested by Thule USA. Apparently wind forces could theoretically damage the car roof??...
Does anyone know for sure if Thule Europe (or ? Asia) made the Mazda branded roof rails?
Does anyone know of any safety qualms with the Thule cascade box with the Mazda USA rails?
I am not sure why Mazda would make roof rails available but make it hard to get info as to what can go on the rails???
I, for one, would like to see what the rails look like on your car, if you have a chance to post a photo.
Thanks.
http://www.autocarmagazine.com/FirstDrive_Summary.asp?RT_ID=215533
I was not impressed with the US bars at all.