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At 10,000 feet above a thick cloud layer covering the entire Seattle region...
Your wheels will be on the ground, consider yourself lucky!
Link to the left.
<---------
Costco $492.
American Tire $672.
Vespia Tires $688.
ETD Discount Tire $718.
Tire Rack $684. (includes shipping and local mount/bal/valve-no free rot. and flat fix)
I live in notthern NJ about 45 min from NYC, where things can be fairly expensive. I bet most of the tire dealers take this into account when setting prices. Costco seems to have a national sale price.
Isn't that a concern?
Anybody know what a safe ph factor for (car) coolant is? And is that the proper item to monitor?
Thanks
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?s=ec521f5c0f021f1f60bd92e2643c5063&threadid=61427
2cents
1. Push the "CLOCK" button
2. Push the displayed "H" button to set the hour (only goes forward so you need to go all the way around to set back one hour as required)
3. Push the "CLOCK" button again.
Pete
The easiest way to do that in the RX is at the refrigerant pressure switch just behind the center of the front bumper in front of the A/C condensor/radiator "set". Just reach in and release the locking tab and disconnect the connector.
This is a dual mode switch set, it signals for the A/C compressor to be shut off when the "high side" system pressure is high enough, and it prevents the A/C compressor from running if the refrigerant pressure level is too low, not enough refrigerant in the system.
THE PRIMARY REASON.
Lexus' climate control systems use the A/C systems ability to dehumidify the passenger cabin's atmosphere EXCLUSIVELY in order to prevent and remove condensation on/from the interior surface of the windshield. Even on the coldest day in the dead of winter while they very well know that the system is completely and totally inoperable for this purpose.
The only reasonable(??) explanation for this that I have heard so far is that if the proper method were used in defog/demist mode, the front seat passengers might become extremely discomforted by warm or even hot airflow to the windshield.
I suppose their thinking is that death is only discomforting to your loved ones.
Yes, you can manually turn the system off but what Lexus doesn't tell you, nor is there any direct indication thereof, the A/C system will still be activated in defog/demist mode. Unless you disconnect the switch.
Now I would be the first to advise you that the A/C system can be extremely helpful in defogging the windshield and keeping it defogged. But that ability is limited by local climatic conditions, sometimes severely so.
A design limitation of the A/C system is that it CANNOT cool the airflow below freezing without becoming clogged with frozen condensate. So all systems are designed such that the A/C cooling evaporator's temperature does not decline below freezing. Actual temperature where the compressor is disabled is more typically about 35F
The problem is, currently, there is NO WAY to detect whether or not the relative humidity of the airstream is high enough that cooling it to 35F will result in any substantial level of dehumidification.
Absent that capability the safest thing to do is to use HEAT when the vehicle operator indicates that the windshield is/has fogged over.
Things are worse than you think.
Once you use the A/C cooling evaporator to dehumidify the airflow, even in the LEAST efficient manner, a thin film of condensate will form on the 10,000 square inches (92 LS) of evaporator surface area.
Once you "leave" the defog/demist mode and the A/C compressor shuts off, what DO YOU think happens to that "thin film" of moisture just previously condensed onto the evaporator? Better not be so quick to return the system to recirculate! Or worse yet, don't let it return to recirculate automatically because that's the mode it was in when you activated defog/demist.
So, even if the climatic conditions are such that the A/C dehumidification process does contribute some level of aid in defogging the windshield its still very likely to bite you in the behind in the end.
You may have already noticed that with the A/C manually turned off each time you use the defog function and then return to normal mode the windshield fogs over again shortly thereafter. I'm sure you can see why that would be a never ending cycle.
So, during the winter months, for safeties sake...
Disable the A/C compressor.
If you notice the windshield beginning to fog over...
1. "Flick" the temperature setpoint control knob clockwise.
2. Activate the front defrost/defog/demist function.
3. For the quickest and surest defrost/defog/demist functionality confirm that the setpoint is on MAX HEAT.
4. In worse case conditions it doesn't hurt to lower the rear windows slightly to more quickly evacuate the cabin's humid atmosphere.
CAUTION.
In a Lexus there is a distinct possibility that the reason the windshield initially started to fog over is because the climate control system has automatically shut off the A/C compressor. Now allowing ALL of the previously condensed moisture to evaporate into the passenger cabin's atmosphere. If that is the circumstance then the initial result when you activate the defrost/defog/demist function will be virtually INSTANT "blackout", no forward visibility at all or at least very little. The earlier Lexus used the OAT sensor for this function, shutting down the A/C compressor if the OAT declined below freezing. On later models the A/C evaporator downstream sensor indication below freezing is used to signal an A/C compressor shutdown.
1. Initially you might find that the system airflow has a horrid mold and mildew, dirty gym sock odor. Bacterial spores thrive and multiply mightily in the 50-70F damp, dark, dank environment of the A/C evaporator plenum.
Many modern day manufacturers, Lexus and Porsche included, attempt to mask this odor by running the A/C system continously, keeping these little "buggers" coated with that thin coat of mositure so their "out-gassing" is washed away down the condensate drain.
If the odor does not subside within a few days you might consider purchasing a 12 volt powered UV light source to install within the passenger cabin to help combat the barterial growth.
See
http://www.airsept.com/eed.html
for more detail.
Advantages.
1. With the A/C system disabled there will be no moisture accumulated on the A/C evaporator to promote the mold and mildew growth.
2. The GRANDLY STUPID Lexus climate control will still automatically switch to cooling mode, airflow routing to the face and upper body, in the dead cold of winter when your human metabolism is screaming heat, give me more HEAT!
But with the A/C disabled this airflow is not likely to be as cool nor as dry as it might otherwise be.
So, when the Giant Pumpkin is put to bed and Thanksgiving is on the horizon, that ol' "Face of Death" can't be far behind if you're driving a RX.
But to REALLY be on the safe side, most of us prefer to simply remove the windshield until Easter and use goggles when going out RX drivin'.
Actually, it's very refreshing, sporty, and somewhat Old World English.
One can't be too careful these days.
Thanks, WW, for your annual timely reminder.
But in the back of your mind remember, when your Lexus windshield starts to fog over and nothing else seems to clear it....
But. In the wintertime the outside of the windshield is enduring continuous impingment of COLD airflow, which transfers directly into the inside surface. If the temperature at/on the interior surface of the windshield declines to the dewpoint of the cabin atmosphere, you have a problem.
I forgot to mention.
It is without a doubt a plain nuisance and can be extremely discomforting to have the system automatically switch to cooling mode in the wintertime. But what I forgot to mention is that when it does that NO SYSTEM AIRFLOW IS ROUTED TO THE WINDSHIELD. In footwell/floor, heating, mode a substantial level of the system airflow is automatically routed toward the interior surface of the windshield, helping to keep its surface above the dewpoint.
Very imporatnt point, sorry I forgot it.
Steve, Host
When you unplug your AC during the winter, do you think it is a good idea to hook it back up and run the AC for fiteen minutes per month to lubricate the compressor seals?
1. Re-enable the compressor and turn on the system for 5 seconds, then off for 5 secs. On for 5, off for 5.
2. Do this a few times (10) then let it run for a few minutes.
3. This will circulate freon, which serves as a lubricant for the compressor.
4. Or....do the right thing and don't disable it. Let it do it's job summer and winter. No problems!
Steve, Host
Personally I don't believe it's necessary but each to his own.
If the connector weren't so convenient to get to I would have probably installed a switch under the dash since the switch wiring to the A/C ecu is just behind the glove box.
You beat me to it.
Let me know how this works out for you...
Regards,
-ss4
(religiously opposed to smilies and smirkies)
I bought a new RX300. It has now 800 miles on it. Now when I drive it at very low speeds (in parking lots etc..), I hear a very anoying noise coming from the back of the car. It sound like the wheels are rubbing against a solid metal. Of course when I drive it at high speeds, I do not hear it becasue of the other noises. Is this a normal noise coming from a new car until it wares out a bit?
Thanks a lot.
Make sure you have the spare secured tight and no other lose objects in the back and try again. If the noise persists, You should take it to the dealer immediately.
I am sure wwest has a very good point in doing what he does with his/her cars but most of us are too busy with enjoying the car and other lively chores to spend time on following wwest's recommendations.
Don't take the RX off-road so we don't really care if it doesn't have a locking center diff'l nor granny grunt low.
Many of us don't encounter wintertime on road conditions that require/demand a more capable AWD system.
Very few of us will ever encounter the specific climatic conditions that will lead to instances of instantaneous windshield fogging.
And ever fewer of us will ever need to land an airplane "dead-stick". But try getting your license without learning how to.
I had similar situation before and found a big nail on tire. The noise could only be heard at very low speed.
Thanks again for all the help.
Pete