techrep

I have had mine for over 6 months now and still have not read the whole thing..then I'll get to the Nav book...lol

IanB2

Saw another of these "4wd" vehicles you guys were talking about on my drive in to work this morning, lol. This is exactly why I have an issue with the term, it's nothing but marketing speak.

chiph9

Played around with the transfer case some today -- when the transmission is in Park and the engine is running, moving the transfer case into Neutral results in an A/T P showing up on the gauge cluster. Presumably to warn you about the roll-away risk.

Chip H.

BradTank

The GX is my wife's car, I had to reread my manual when I was in a situation where I needed better traction, I honestly thought the car was 2wd until you engaged into 4wd, with the gear selector being in the "N" position until you needed 4wd High and Low.

I definitely think the GX is and the 4wd/AWD system is confusing for probably 99% of owners. Even after reading the owner's manual I was scratching my head.

I'm more of a car guy than a Truck/SUV guy, but I've never seen a system like this. I think they could have made a better effort to make it more user friendly. I was borrowing a Ford Expedition from a relative, much better system. Turn **** for 2WD, AWD, 4WD High and 4WD Low, that's it. You would think a high end SUV could do a better job integrating it for the type of customer that buys a Lexus SUV.

chiph9

Since it's in 4WD/AWD all the time, it's probably a lot easier for the owner -- just get in and drive. Only have to put it in low range when you go off-road and need the extra traction.

In case you missed it earlier - the center differential lock (switch near the seat heater switches) should ONLY be engaged on a low-traction surface, like dirt or gravel. NEVER engage it on pavement. You will cause ex$pen$ive damage to the driveline.

Chip H.

ALAN553

It's a luxury truck, I think the intention is to make it as user friendly as possible which means you don't have to change anything 99% of the time. L for the transfer case is for off road users and they usually know there way around a 4x4.

BradTank

The thing is, most 4x4s go into 4 wheel drive only when you engage the 4 wheel drive, that's how I grew up with them. Since 99% of driving you don't need 4 wheel drive, it makes sense, I think that's where the confusion is.

You see a gear selector for High Low and Neutral, you assume you need to engage the 4wd, not that's it's already in 4wd and that the neutral setting is for towing. And then there's the button that locks/unlocks the differential on the dash. Once you know how it all works, it's fine, but it's certainly not intuitive for most users.

I'm personally not a big fan of permanent 4wd, It's a waste of gas and wear and tear, which is why most SUVs and trucks aren't equipped that way. 99% of the driving with these cars is on pavement.

It's just an odd way to lay out the system considering the end user is mainly soccer moms.

IanB2

Full time AWD is great if you live where it's winter driving conditions 1/2 the year. In AZ...I can see how that would be not so great, lol.

BradTank

Agreed, but even in places that get real winters, it would be nice to have the ability to turn the 4WD off in the 1/2 to 3/4 of the year when it's not needed and get that extra fuel economy. At least that would be my preference.

GXallday

I'm curious how you and so many other people didn't know this was a permanent 4wd truck when you bought it. Did you not do any research? Did you not read reviews, specs, watch test drives videos, etc?

BradTank

My wife bought it for herself before we were married, but thanks for your concern.

Coulter

This is one of those things car companies have tried to convince people they need to have to get to work safely. People will swear up and down they couldn't get by with 2wd and that anything short of an SUV with full-time 4wd will mean they slip off the road and die in a ditch. Somehow 99 out of 100 people that don't have this feature seem to get by.

I would have preferred a more old school 4x4 system that you could shift in and out of 4wd. That wasn't an option but I wasn't going to disqualify the vehicle over it. I also think they could have made using the system a little more straightforward. Still a great vehicle though.

But the idea though that these things need full-time 4wd is silly. It's like when Range Rover brags about how great they are in tough terrain and show pictures of them offroading in Africa when really it's just housewives driving to get their monthly botox.

It is what it is, just overkill for what people really need it for. It's like having snow chains on year round.

ALAN553

Not for anything after owning an Audi for years, I learned to love all wheel drive, it is much more predictable on all road surfaces and weather. Instead of counter steering a rear wheel drive car in a fishtail, you just gently accelerate and all 4 wheels gain traction and bring the car in line. Rough road on exit and entrance ramps, as the car hops over bumps,4 wheels will always find traction somewhere. Just from pure performance, 4 is better than 2. Getting stuck on roads these days? They are spraying roads the day before a storm with a liquid brine. And roads are cleaned quickly. Even when we are out in Aspen, never have problems even with the occasional minivan rental. Wet, dry whatever, 4 is better than 2 if you have the choice.

470SNC

I like the GX awd system but I still miss how my old FJ Cruiser would drive in RWD mode, so much more fun in the rain, the GX has awesome traction in the slippery stuff though

GXallday

I'm not concerned, just curious how people can spend so much money and not even know what they're buying.