GX470 vs RX300 on Snow
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
GX470 vs RX300 on Snow
First of all, I would like to thank the community for the worm welcome I received here. I appreciate the knowledge and help I received by now.
As some of you may know that I had purchased an 03 GX470 for my wife to replace hers RX300. It was intended as a surprise present for her for when she would return from a overseas trip. But now I realised that the new truck doesn't have one switch that her RX had. I cannot find the POWER-ECT-SNOW switch in the GX that my wife loves to use on the snow in her RX. Even my GS400 has one. The question is: how do those cars compare in handling on the snow? I surely don't mind the power, and not afraid of when the car slips and slides. I personally never used the "snow" mode on her RX. She is coming back in a couple of weeks, but now I'm worried that she might not feel comfortable driving it. I don't understand why Lexus left it out on this vehicle, or am I missing something?
As some of you may know that I had purchased an 03 GX470 for my wife to replace hers RX300. It was intended as a surprise present for her for when she would return from a overseas trip. But now I realised that the new truck doesn't have one switch that her RX had. I cannot find the POWER-ECT-SNOW switch in the GX that my wife loves to use on the snow in her RX. Even my GS400 has one. The question is: how do those cars compare in handling on the snow? I surely don't mind the power, and not afraid of when the car slips and slides. I personally never used the "snow" mode on her RX. She is coming back in a couple of weeks, but now I'm worried that she might not feel comfortable driving it. I don't understand why Lexus left it out on this vehicle, or am I missing something?
#2
First of all, I would like to thank the community for the worm welcome I received here. I appreciate the knowledge and help I received by now.
As some of you may know that I had purchased an 03 GX470 for my wife to replace hers RX300. It was intended as a surprise present for her for when she would return from a overseas trip. But now I realised that the new truck doesn't have one switch that her RX had. I cannot find the POWER-ECT-SNOW switch in the GX that my wife loves to use on the snow in her RX. Even my GS400 has one. The question is: how do those cars compare in handling on the snow? I surely don't mind the power, and not afraid of when the car slips and slides. I personally never used the "snow" mode on her RX. She is coming back in a couple of weeks, but now I'm worried that she might not feel comfortable driving it. I don't understand why Lexus left it out on this vehicle, or am I missing something?
As some of you may know that I had purchased an 03 GX470 for my wife to replace hers RX300. It was intended as a surprise present for her for when she would return from a overseas trip. But now I realised that the new truck doesn't have one switch that her RX had. I cannot find the POWER-ECT-SNOW switch in the GX that my wife loves to use on the snow in her RX. Even my GS400 has one. The question is: how do those cars compare in handling on the snow? I surely don't mind the power, and not afraid of when the car slips and slides. I personally never used the "snow" mode on her RX. She is coming back in a couple of weeks, but now I'm worried that she might not feel comfortable driving it. I don't understand why Lexus left it out on this vehicle, or am I missing something?
Last edited by cssnms; 12-02-10 at 11:59 AM.
#3
Lexus Test Driver
On the RX, ECT Snow puts the vehicle in 2nd gear. The GX has a similar button to allow you to start off in second gear. Nothing to worry about with the GX, it's a real 4-wheel drive vehicle and will surpass the RX in snowy conditions.
#5
Lexus Test Driver
GX is a freakin BEAST in all weather. Just put it in Drive and go--simple as it gets.
I find that after a heavy snowfall someetimes Ill push the Diff Lock button to lock the center diff and it does go thru the thick stuff a littel easier but remember when you do that is DIS-ables VSC system (you get a light on) so may not be as safe when driving crazy..lol---but I find its no problem really
I find that after a heavy snowfall someetimes Ill push the Diff Lock button to lock the center diff and it does go thru the thick stuff a littel easier but remember when you do that is DIS-ables VSC system (you get a light on) so may not be as safe when driving crazy..lol---but I find its no problem really
#6
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm glad Globalinx asked this question. My husband and I took our "new" 2003 GX up to Lake Tahoe from the Bay Area for the first time over Thanksgiving. There has been a ton of snow. Our prior car was a Landrover with AWD, and we also keep an old Bronco in the mountains. We were used to either being in AWD, or actually PUTTING the Bronco into 4WD, so we were a bit confused with the GX.
Nice to hear confirmed that it is always in 4WD... no need to do anything more unless off-roading or in really deep conditions... correct? We had been concerned that we were driving in 2W mode and needed to shift into 4WD.
Thanks all... I echo the sentiment, that this group has been really helpful.
Nice to hear confirmed that it is always in 4WD... no need to do anything more unless off-roading or in really deep conditions... correct? We had been concerned that we were driving in 2W mode and needed to shift into 4WD.
Thanks all... I echo the sentiment, that this group has been really helpful.
#7
Nice to hear confirmed that it is always in 4WD... no need to do anything more unless off-roading or in really deep conditions... correct? We had been concerned that we were driving in 2W mode and needed to shift into 4WD.
Thanks all... I echo the sentiment, that this group has been really helpful.
Thanks all... I echo the sentiment, that this group has been really helpful.
I will tell you that I have owned my GX for 5 yrs now, which includes annually driving in VERY soft VERY deep sand on the NC OBX as well as during our usually mild eastern snow storms and there was only one occassion that I had to shift my GX into low and lock the differential and that was last year during a historic winter for us and after one of the back-to-back blizzards we had. I was driving around in a parking lot in 4 wheel high or in otherwords "D" in 2.5 ft of snow (playing around of course) and I got stuck, so I stopped locked the diff and shifted into low plowing my way out.
Last edited by cssnms; 12-02-10 at 11:56 AM.
Trending Topics
#8
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
The gx470 would stomp the rx300 in snow, but keep in mind no car is unstoppable. For the first time ever our lx470 got stuck in snow and as good as the gx470 is in snow, the lx470 is better. took 2 feet of wet heavy snow to stop it but it stopped it dead, head to get out and walk to another group of people who were stuck to help push me out. Western new york is getting pounded right now
#9
The gx470 would stomp the rx300 in snow, but keep in mind no car is unstoppable. For the first time ever our lx470 got stuck in snow and as good as the gx470 is in snow, the lx470 is better. took 2 feet of wet heavy snow to stop it but it stopped it dead, head to get out and walk to another group of people who were stuck to help push me out. Western new york is getting pounded right now
Awards & Accolades
2006 Best Resale Value
GX 470 2006 Kelley Blue Book (October 2005)
Highest Ranked Premium Luxury SUV in Initial Quality (IQS)
GX 470 2005 J.D. Power and Associates (May 2005)
2004 Four Wheeler of the Year (second year in a row) GX 470 2004 Four Wheeler Magazine (February 2004)
2003 All-Stars Mid-Size Sport-Utility
GX 470 2003 Automobile Magazine (March 2003)
2003 Four Wheeler of the Year GX 470 2003 Four Wheeler Magazine (February 2003)
2003 4x4 of the Year GX 470 2003 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine (2003)
Last edited by cssnms; 12-02-10 at 12:20 PM.
#10
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Thank you all for the response. Now I know what was that button that I keep on hitting with my knee, and "Redrocks" was talking about. Now Im sure that my wife will enjoy the truck in the snow with the "Start in 2nd" button activated.
#11
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Globalinx: Like others have mentioned, I too have the utmost confidence in the GX's winter abilities. Last winter we got a huge snow storm with around 18 inches of snow. I was able to make it up an non-plowed road with relative ease. Attached is a picture to give you an idea of the snowy conditions. Your wife will be quite pleased with the GX's handling.
#12
The RX is a cross-over vehicle built on a car-frame and the GX is actually built on the frame of a truck. Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. The GX will completely destroy the RX in the snow or mud. The RX would be better for long highway trips so long as it doesn't snow or rain. In other words, I'd rather be in a GX because you never know when you may need the added capability.
Regarding the LX470 being better in the snow, why would that be? The LX and GX share the same engines and the LX weighs 800 lbs more! Not to mention that the GX comes standard with LSD and the LX does not. The LX has about an inch more clearance than the GX but that can be quickly fixed by adjusting the suspension to lift the GX. I really don't understand why the LX would be better in the snow than the GX, someone please enlighten me.
The gx470 would stomp the rx300 in snow, but keep in mind no car is unstoppable. For the first time ever our lx470 got stuck in snow and as good as the gx470 is in snow, the lx470 is better. took 2 feet of wet heavy snow to stop it but it stopped it dead, head to get out and walk to another group of people who were stuck to help push me out. Western new york is getting pounded right now
#13
Lexus Champion
The GX is a SUPERB vehicle in the snow. I took the truck down to Utah two years ago and drove it through some trails/roads that had about a foot and a half of snow that had yet to be touched.
Regardless of what kind of vehicle you have, however, you still gotta pick your path wisely and be sure to read your road well to determine a best course of action. Too many people think "I've got 4x4 and can therefore go anywhere in any kind of road condition".
Regardless of what kind of vehicle you have, however, you still gotta pick your path wisely and be sure to read your road well to determine a best course of action. Too many people think "I've got 4x4 and can therefore go anywhere in any kind of road condition".
#15
Pole Position
Globalinx: Like others have mentioned, I too have the utmost confidence in the GX's winter abilities. Last winter we got a huge snow storm with around 18 inches of snow. I was able to make it up an non-plowed road with relative ease. Attached is a picture to give you an idea of the snowy conditions. Your wife will be quite pleased with the GX's handling.