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I also have a 2001 AWD RX300 with about 20k miles, it hasn't needed to go back to the shop and even if I keep it for 100k I fully expect it never will.
Certainly the Santa Fe is a nice effort from Hyundai; it's just not an RX, no matter how you squint.........
Concerning a used 2001 RX300, there is a rumour that there is an oil gel (sludge) problem with a small percentage of the V-6 Lexus/Toyota engines. If you get your mechanic to pull one of the valve covers, and it is clean then you should be okay. Some people recommend changing the oil and filter every four months or 4,000 miles. A 2001 is an expensive car, so I guess I consider that cheap insurance. If you check the VIN number against Carfax, and there are no issues, that would be a plus. The Wall Street Journal says it costs Lexus $250 per car to make them "Lexus Certified", so I will leave it up to you to decide if it is worth $3,000 to get a certified RX300. I think they are great cars, so good luck!
Today I verified that if I inject a positive voltage current into the rear vehicle height sensor output the headlamps do move upwards automatically.
I will be selecting a resistor size to get the correct level of upward movement, connected between HB voltage and sensor this week.
Sould have a complete bi-level HID circuit for you by next weekend.
That's caused, mostly, IMMHO, by the fact that the OAT sensor is mounted on the back of the front bumper just in front of the radiator and A/C condensor. The radiator typically operates at 180F and the A/C condensor is no slouch as a radiant heat source either.
This same sensor is used as an input to the climate control system so if you notice the A/C cooling you inordinately on a cold day in stop and go traffic it's because this sensor is being radiantly heated and the climate control therefore "thinks" you need to be cooled.
IF you wish to alleviate the problem entirely its quite easy to relocate the OAT sensor into the driver's side forward wheel well.
Also, I have assumed the A/C attemps to reach and maintain driver controlled temperature set- point by comparing inside car temp with the set-point and modulating dampers, fan speed, etc.,accordingly. How does faulty outside air temp reading affect this? Am I missing something?
On all Lexii the OAT sensor is a "comfort" input to the climate control system, the colder it is outside the higher level the heat output will be.
One of the easiest inceptions is the willingness of the system to switch from footwell airflow to dash airflow and vice versa. In colder weather the mode will remain in footwell unless the cabin begins to overheat or the solar radiance is extremely high comparatively.
If you are discomforted, as I often am, by cool dry airflow to your face in the wintertime you can sometimes combat this by simply covering the solar radiation sensors. You can also add a 2.8k resister in series with the OAT sensor for more comfortable wintertime operation.
If it thinks it COLD (about 20F colder than actual) outside it has less tendency to automatically switch to COOLING mode.
(I know she wants it, but it's "van time" for her for awhile). It doesn't hold a lot, but I didn't want to haul. I just wanted a really comfortable car for my wife and kids. And that's what I got. 'Nuff said.
1. Radio controls on the Nav screen are a Bad Idea; even my 1990 Legend has a simple fingertip control near the steering wheel to change stations and adjust the volume.
The RX's audio screen controls are a safety hazard; after all, there's only so much you can do while holding your cell phone with one hand and drinking hot coffee with the other..! lol
2. Like to see the rear HVAC vents mounted up high like some other SUVs; with the rear seats folded, the air flow from these vents headed rearward is blocked unless you aim them straight up. Not real effective.
3. Although my wife loves the exterior size, she'd like a bit more room inside...so she's willing to buy a slightly larger vehicle next time around. Perhaps the Highlander template is the right overall dimensions.
4. Turning radius is a joke because of the wheelbase; I believe it is also a safety hazard. Perhaps Lexus should issue signal flags so one can indicate a U-turn is coming up... This would probably be fixed with a larger vehicle design.
That's about it. Closer to perfection than any vehicle we have owned.
Other than the AWD system the only other aspect that design wise exceeds Lexus is the interior size, and seating capacity. And yes, I know, you can buy a bigger Lexus SUV but who cares.
Oh, sorry, I forgot that the T&C does have those rear ventilation windowlets.
I am new at this website. I'm considering to purchase a Lexus RX 300 but still being confused between 2 wheeldrive and 4 wheeldrive .I want to ask you as experts to help out: as I all know, we have two options for RX300: 2 wheeldrive or Fulltime 4 wheeldrive. Fulltime 4 wheeldrive is the same thing as AWD, has the meant ability to drive in the city all four wheels with no threat of driveline damage. When not off road, in normal driving, in downtown...it actually runs with 2WD mode, and only until slippering is sensed, it automatic switches to 4WD . Am I right at this point? For people almost do not go offroad, should they spend about 2 thousand dollars more to buy a 4WD to have both options? Beside for off road, is 4WD really worth over 2WD? I appreciate your time and thank for advices.
tidester
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SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
I agree with all the advantages to 2WD described by rcf8000. 2WD comes at cheaper price, cheaper services, cheaper gas consumption, equal road manners.
But then if you have extra dough to spare, go with AWD. You won't go wrong either ways.
Both of these Jeeps had three modes of drive operation, Rear 2WD, AWD( viscous clutch implementation), and true 4WD (locked center Diff'l).
From 87 until 2000, when I moved "up" to an AWD RX300, I made use of the Jeeps AWD mode virtually every winter, but since its operation is transparent I cannot in truth tell you that it really helped or did any good.
My story does NOT involve any off-road adventures with the exception of ski area parking lots and a few occasions leaving the roadbed temporarily in snowstorms to get around stalled vehicles.
However there were many times when I absolutely needed the actual 4WD mode of the Jeeps in order to get up and going, initially moving the vehicle out from having been fully stopped (inertia vs momentum). I think I can count on the fingers of one hand, maybe two, the number of times I had to use tire chains on the Jeep, and at least half of those involved all four chains.
At least one instance of needing four chains involved snow covered streets in downtown Bellevue, WA, and another was in the Redmond suburbs.
To its favor, the RX300 is FULL time AWD, with about 5 to 10% of the engine torque ALWAYS routed to the rear wheels. If you happen to be familiar with the Chrysler series of AWD minivans the native, initial torque split and handling characteristics are about equal.
But regrettably the comparison ends right there with regards to AWD capability. The internal design of the Chrysler VC is such that its attack rate, the rate at which it increases the engine torque level to the rear wheels with front wheel slippage, is virtually instantaneous, in comparison to the RX300's.
With regards to getting the AWD RX300 up and moving initially, on an ice or snow covered roadbed, the VC is practically non-existant.
More bad news..
Tire chains should NEVER be used exclusively on the front wheels of any vehicle, that makes for extremely hazardous operation of any vehicle, and even Lexus will willingly admit this.
The suspension clearance from the rear tires is so narrow that NO tire chain can be safely used on the RX nor the HL.
So, if you purchase an AWD RX or HL you have just wasted the cost difference between it and a FWD only. If you're going to buy an RX or an HL, then buy the FWD model.
If you decide you need AWD, or maybe only occasionally tire chains for a FWD or AWD RX or HL, then look elsewhere.
The X5 or ML above, or the T&C "below".
The whole deal will cost you about $600 and will work great in light snow and whoever you sell the RX to in 5-10 years can probably use the same set-up because the tires will hardly be worn.
Hey WW, too busy rewiring the fog lights to drill into them tires for some studs? Legal or not, a cheap fix right up your alley.
A big reason I keep buying Lexus vehicles is for their nice quiet and smooth ride. The reasonably quiet Michelin Cts are the closest I want to get to a wintertime traction tire.
And wintertime traction tires are not likely to make up for the need for a decent AWD system such as the T&C and the old Ford Aerostars had.
Studs. I keep campaigning with our governor to get them out-lawed. You just simply wouldn't believe the cost to repair our roads due to the needless use of studs on mostly dry pavement.
What I would really like to see is a surcharge on studs based on the annual need within each county.
No, you'll never see studs on any car I own.
Pete
OK, think it's passed now.
I fully agree with prev posts about FWD. I have a FWD and like its slightly better acceleration and would sacrifice that so called handling on snow/ice which I never needed for better acceleration which I could use all the time. I live Seattle WA and also drove to Salt Lake City UT for Thanksgiving last year. Didnt enocunter any problems I have also taken my RX offroad more than any sane person would with a Lexus.
Either way you cant go wrong
However
Buy that RX asap! Lexus has increased its prices by 1170 on the 2WD and 1220 on the AWD models but made moonroof standard eqipment. Considering that moonroof is for $1000 (800 invoice) that account for about $200 in real difference. Add to that the year end discounts and you should have a great deal on the 2002.
I am yet to find any cleaner at a auto supply store to wipe that smile I got on my face since I got my RX.
I'd rather take my chances with a RWD and a set of chains in the trunk as backup than try getting ANY RX over one of our mountain passes in teh wintertime.
And to Salt Lake you must be extremely lucky, assuming you do I84.
Have there been any answer to post#5844, Re-torque drive shaft flange bolts? I would like to know the answer to that question too. Thank you
We were able to get around with an Integra with chains on the front wheels. No RX300's then so I can't tell you if they can make it.
We also drive the mountain passes in the winter; not just Snoqualmie, but Blewett pass, which can be much worse. Our MDX, which is a FWD-biased AWD vehicle somewhat similar to the RX's system (but not quite), has not had issues in the times we've driven it over the passes in winter. Though we haven't yet driven in near-avalanche conditions, which is about the worse you can go before they shut things down. This without chains or snow tires, just the Cross Terrains. I certainly see RX300's crossing the same passes without issues. Thus I figure that the RX300, with appropriate driver caution and an open mind, would be fine.
That has got to be one of the most dangerous and hazardous things one can do in the wintertime, but I'm certainly glad you survived.
Doesn't the MDX go to a 50/50 F/R split during acceleration from a stop, and instantly upon front wheel slippage detection?
Transparently?
I wasn't able to find your original post. Are you certain that is the correct post number?
I recommend that you repost your question.
tidester
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SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
"That has got to be one of the most dangerous and hazardous things one can do in the wintertime, but I'm certainly glad you survived."
Yes, I am certainly glad I survived. In fact, had we not put chains on the FWD Integra, we would have never made it home, or had an accident on the way home.
Just some real-world experience here. In Seattle, with a severe snowstorm.
BTW, folks living in Central Washington (e.g. Wenatchee) get much worse winters than we do in the Seattle area. Many have FWD-only vehicles, and they use snow tires, or chains, and they get by fine.
It is also an exaggeration to say that the RX300 cannot handle the mountain passes around Washington in winter. I have seen plenty of RX300's around the passes, especially Snoqualmie and Stevens. I don't see as many around Blewett, probably because it's more remote and less attractive to some Seattle residents as a winter destination.
Have you actually driven the RX300 up to the passes during winter? Or is this just an opinion drawn on extensive academic, non-real world research? I seem to recall that during last winter's severe snowstorm here in Seattle, you stated your RX300 performed "admirably well" and it surprised you. Perhaps it is more capable than you are giving it credit for.
I don't think the RX300 (or the MDX, for that matter) are the greatest AWD vehicles on the planet, but they are more than adequate for some of the situations discussed. So long as one drives them with common sense. Now, if we were in, say, Buffalo, I'd get an ML320/ML500.
The only thing I'd do with the RX300 (or the base version of the MDX) is consider replacing the stock Goodyear Integrity tires with something better. E.g. Michelin Cross Terrain SUV's.
Have you not noticed that ALL of the US manufacturers are slowly migrating their products back to RWD, some not so slowly?
Take a look at the RX300 (or the HL) owners manual, it clearly states that having snow tires on the front and not on the rear can lead to loss of control of the vehicle. LEXUS/LOSS OF CONTROL, and I'm over-stating the dangers and hazards?
And what's with this "if I were in Buffalo" nonsense? Here in Seattle we may not have long periods of having to deal with ice and snow, and obviously it doesn't happen as often, but when it does happen we still have to get up in the morning and get ourselves to work.
And sometimes that takes an ML320 or X5 just like it does in Buffalo.
Common sense...
How many people that are driving FWD vehicles today do you think even know the difference? And of those that do how many also know that the dynamics of handling a FWD car on ice and snow, at the cusp, differ radically from a RWD. And now ask yourself just what percentage of those left have enough common sense or experience to handle a FWD with a single set of chains at the cusp?
I would like to point out the horredous number of FWD vehicles abandoned on SR520, or on the slight incline into the MS complex, in 1990, but there weren't enough RWDs around by then to make my point valid.
"if course the manufacturers are going to tell they will work find on FWD vehicles, that's what they have to sell, what would you expect?"
Conversely, have you ever thought that a lot of what is in the manuals is there for liability reasons?
Are you implying that on a FWD car, one should install 4 chains? On a 4WD/AWD vehicle, I would agree, but not on a 2WD vehicle. Even the experts say so:
http://www.tirechain.com/FREQUENTLY_ASKED_QUESTIONS.HTM#Which Tires To Chain Up
I have driven a TRAC equipped '99 Camry V6 with 4 Michelin Arctic Alpin tires + snow cable chains on the front only (gasp) on and up/downhill streets in the winter, mainly to see whether I could get stuck, but with no problems. Are you saying that while driving up or downhill in a straight line at low speeds, oversteer can suddenly occur!? Sounds like another one of those 100% therotical, 0% practical experience ideas again, just like those magical X5 Bi-Xenons and how the RWD-bias X5 is more neutral than a 50/50 torque split AWD vehicle, LOL.
I usually had 4 studs on but not every winter. And I carried chains and when I rarely had to use them, they went on the front. I'm not convinced about the dire necessity of AWD/4WD when the flakes fall, and I'm not going to even mention the upside down 4WD rigs I've counted in the highway medium every winter.
I'm just an average driver at best but I try not to get in a hurry on winter roads. Oh yeah, my FWD MV goes from 2800 feet to 7,000 a dozen times a winter just fine getting to Bogus Basin here in mild Boise. I've seen an upside down 4WD rig on that road too come to think of.
still dubious Steve
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'And what's with this "if I were in Buffalo" nonsense? Here in Seattle we may not have long periods of having to deal with ice and snow, and obviously it doesn't happen as often, but when it does happen we still have to get up in the morning and get ourselves to work.'
Two points. One direct -- does it snow two feet in one storm in Seattle, typically? Of course not. Some winters it barely snows. FYI, in Buffalo there are plenty of FWD vehicles that get by in winter fine, whether with chains or snow tires or studs. The other point, somewhat facetious -- if it snows that hard in Seattle, we don't have to get up in the morning and go to work. Things come to a standstill in Seattle with just moderate snow and some ICE. Schools close with relatively little snowfall.
'I would like to point out the horredous number of FWD vehicles abandoned on SR520, or on the slight incline into the MS complex, in 1990, but there weren't enough RWDs around by then to make my point valid.'
And I would like to point out the horrendous number of vehicles abandoned on 24th street between 152nd and 156th Avenues, not far from the Microsoft campus, during the snowstorms of 1995. Guess what? Some of them were AWD vehicles! It did not discriminate betwween AWD, RWD, or FWD. Driver experience and properly dealing with the conditions, again.
Regarding the "slight incline into the MS complex," guess what? I live several blocks north of the campus, drive past it EVERY day. As a result, I can guarantee you that I've seen more than one RWD vehicle with trouble around the campus (BMW 3-series comes into mind).
Back to the RX300. It gets through Snoqualmie Pass, it gets through Stevens Pass. I can't believe all the drivers making it had developed snow-driving skills in Alaska. The concept that it can't make it is a gross distortion and unjustified. Yes, the RX300 doesn't have the greatest AWD/4WD system in the world, but it's more than enough to handle those passes, short of near-avalanche conditions.
Suggestion: next time you're at Lexus of Bellevue, please try to speak with some real-world drivers of the RX300 and ask them about their actual snow-driving experiences. Perhaps those real-world perspectives would give you the confidence to try the RX300 in some tougher conditions. Before reaching a purely academic conclusion based on some seriously flawed theories. You were surprised once by how well the RX300 performed, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if you try again, and this time in tougher conditions.
Also, there are advanced driving courses that may help you deal with these situations.
Steve
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I would think that with the RX300 having been out since the '98 model year, with mid-cycle refreshments made a couple of years ago, that there is now sufficient information on its performance in winter. I don't see any credible, real-world experience that would seem to indicate it can't handle most inclement conditions, even if its AWD system is not necessarily the most advanced.
Your '01 RX is your fourth Lexus, right?
And no, I have not had either the 00 or 01 RX in ice and snow conditions, not that I haven't gone looking. I have two sets of chains out in the garage that I bought for the 01 (wintertime trip to Boise) before I read the owner's manual (prior to departure) and discovered I couldn't use two sets, or even one with safety.
The only real chance I had it turned out I needed more seats than the RX had so I took the AWD Aerostar. Somewhere in here is the story of that trip and I believe I related that I watched an AWD RX fail to negotiate an icy incline in the ski area parking lot.
Wife and I have scheduled a trip south to bring the T&C back north before the snow flies. Unless I find that the RX front struts CAN be installed on the back and thus use chains there.
When a manufacturer includes a statement to maybe relieve themselves of some liability does that make the "liability" somewhat less real? I would think just the opposite.
I guess the bottom line is that at my time in life I'm less reluctant to go looking for trouble, probably an extreme of the same reasons I have always carried chains in my cars in the wintertime, the more insurance I can "buy" against happenstance I will.
If I were to even find myself in a FWD vehicle and needed chains I wouldn't hesitate. But then I am quite comfortable that I know what the "rules" are, but then there are those unavoidable happenstances called accidents.
So when I travel to Boston in the wintertime I'm always sure to reserve a RWD vehicle.
Some of you should maybe look at it this way, my owning an AWD RX300, still knowing of all of its warts, is a big compliment to the product. What keeps me from trading up to the X5 or ML when I well know that both have better AWD systems, and better climate control designs?
Because, overall, the RX is still the better, maybe even the best, choice. Some of what makes it the better choice in my particular case is the fact that I can chose not to take it places that might be a challenge to its AWD capability.
But none of that means that ALL of us shouldn't join in on an effort to improve the product. Can there be any doubt that the ML's electronically implemented AWD system, now that Toyota has adapted it for the Sequoia, isn't a better system? AND less expensive to manufacture?
Sure, not many of you have experienced the mold and mildew smell, or a fogged over windshield that was extremely difficult to clear, but that doesn't make these things any less real.
And even if the upcoming 04 model incorporates all of the fixes you and can think up, I still will not buy another "captive" nav system. $600 for a DVD update!!!!
And some say Windows is over-priced.
The Jeeps I have owned in the past are/were very well respected for their AWD/4WD capability. I have said that I typically used their AWD system throughout the winter. But since their AWD system operates transparently, I have no real way of knowing if I really benefited.
What I can say is that invariably, come snow or ice, I was almost always forced to move to the 4WD, locked diff'l, mode, to get it up and going, after each stop. Now I have little doubt that once I was underway I could have shifted back to AWD, if the Jeep allows such a thing.
But my real point is that on many occasions, even with the Jeep in 4WD, I had to resort to tirechains. The only time I remember having to keep them on for any great time or distance was during the snowstorm of Dec 1990.
So, I already know that the RX is not up to snuff for the kind of real-world experiences I had in the Jeep, right here in the local Seattle area.
So if you don't mind I won't go looking for any real-world low traction experiences in a vehicle that I know not to be capable. There'l be enough of those stuck out there on the roadbed as is.
Damn Californians....
But to be fair, it really wasn't just the influx of Californians we had here in 89, Seattle is really a lot like Memphis, we don't get serious wintertime weather often enough for most people to know how to handle a vehicle in those conditions. So we end up with lot's of "learners" out there on the ice and snow. All the more reason not to "experiment".
I wanted to say that even then we very carefully picked a way home that had no serious inclines or slopes but in reality that was a forced issue since every street that had one was quite thoroughly blocked with stalled cars.