[Susan T]

Hi All! I have had my CX-50 about four months. I happened to notice recently that both front fenders are VERY hot to the touch after I drive it. They are as hot, maybe even hotter than the hood, and they don't seem to cool off as quickly as the hood does. They remain hot for quite a while. I park in my garage. Has anyone experienced the same thing with their CX50?
Thanks!

 

[SkyActiv]

Hi @Sussn T welcome to the forum! I don't think I've heard of that issue before. I guess since the fenders are black plastic they can get hot in the sun. Do you live in an area that's usually hot?

 

[CXXX50]

It's cause there's no air flow through the front of the car when it's off.

Take a look through the front. Both the upper and lower portion is blocked off by active slats when the car is off. Personally, I think it's kind of dumb that the default state is closed instead of open.

 

[Susan T]

Hi SkyActiv. It's the entire quarter panel, not just the plastic, from the hood down. I do live where it's hot, but it's not the sun or heat. They are hotter than the hood and stay hot longer.

 

[Susan T]

Hi CXXX50. I will take a look, but that makes sense. I had a CX5 before this CX50, and it never did this.

 

[S3ntoacx50]

Mine is the same and its normal. My audi s3 did the same too..

 

[Litfuse]

FI vehicles produce a good amount of heat. It’s normal.

 

[Cymru]

Hi Forum members, this was the only forum I could find regarding the front end assembly. As we all know the CX50 has shutters/louvers at the bottom of the cowling behind the radar detector. (just below the license plate) If you look to the left and right of center you will notice that there is no grille protection for the louvers/shutters. Mazda likes to promote that the CX50 can be used off road. Well, a good drive down a gravel road in SW Ontario ends up with a $900 bill to replace the louvers/shutters as Mazda refuses to warranty them. Anyone come up with a suggestion for a "grille plate" to insert into the two lower openings to help protect a $900 investment??

 

[Trickster]

Hi Forum members, this was the only forum I could find regarding the front end assembly. As we all know the CX50 has shutters/louvers at the bottom of the cowling behind the radar detector. (just below the license plate) If you look to the left and right of center you will notice that there is no grille protection for the louvers/shutters. Mazda likes to promote that the CX50 can be used off road. Well, a good drive down a gravel road in SW Ontario ends up with a $900 bill to replace the louvers/shutters as Mazda refuses to warranty them. Anyone come up with a suggestion for a "grille plate" to insert into the two lower openings to help protect a $900 investment?? View attachment 993

I am a bit confused. How does driving down a gravel road end up damaging the radiator louvers?
I know over on the CX30 forum the lower cowling opening is a bit of a sore spot for owners there.
There is for the 30 some aftermarket pieces that are identical to the grille. I have seen nothing for the 50 yet.
Some have added mesh as a diy project.

 

[AWSD]

An owner on Reddit used a 3d printer. https://www.reddit.com/r/CX50/comments/y2x2zh

 

[Cymru]

I am a bit confused. How does driving down a gravel road end up damaging the radiator louvers?
I know over on the CX30 forum the lower cowling opening is a bit of a sore spot for owners there.
There is for the 30 some aftermarket pieces that are identical to the grille. I have seen nothing for the 50 yet.
Some have added mesh as a diy project.

Confusion? Driving 2 car lengths behind my partner's CX5 driving at 40 Kph on a loose gravel road. A lucky stone got into the louvers and did a job on them.

Amazon Canada has some nice DIY options, which I going to look into and also check with a local body shop to see if they have some ideas. Probably only a matter of time before Mazda or a Mazda aftermarket company comes up with a solution, but the DIY is probably the route to go for this spring/summer.

 

[Trickster]

Confusion? Driving 2 car lengths behind my partner's CX5 driving at 40 Kph on a loose gravel road. A lucky stone got into the louvers and did a job on them.

Amazon Canada has some nice DIY options, which I going to look into and also check with a local body shop to see if they have some ideas. Probably only a matter of time before Mazda or a Mazda aftermarket company comes up with a solution, but the DIY is probably the route to go for this spring/summer.

Well yeah I was confused, you made no mention of following another vehicle. I thought you were just driving down a gravel road and somehow rocks were hitting the louvers.
Sounds like a stroke of fate, bad luck, and design deficiency all came into play.
Design it, build it, we will buy it.😏

 

[Litfuse]

The louvers share the same purpose as cold start high speed idle. To get the motor to operating temperature as quick as possible for efficiency and clean emissions.