Traction Control on RX300
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Driver School Candidate
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From: New Jersey
Traction Control on RX300
I'm considering purchasing an out-of-lease 2001 RX300. I'd like to have traction control option to ride on snow more safely. However, a used car Lexus dealer in our town told me that traction control on RX300 is not available (which I found hard to believe) while stability control is standard. Could anybody tell me what the truth is?
The owners of RX300 equipped with traction control: please share your impressions. Does it or not work well? In addition, I've read that traction control on Toyota Highlander cannot be turned off and makes an annoying beeping sound each time it kicks in. Is it the same on Lexus?
Many thanks!
The owners of RX300 equipped with traction control: please share your impressions. Does it or not work well? In addition, I've read that traction control on Toyota Highlander cannot be turned off and makes an annoying beeping sound each time it kicks in. Is it the same on Lexus?
Many thanks!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Arkansas
sashka, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) took the place of the older TRAC system that Lexus offered in the 90s. TRAC only worked to prevent rear wheelspin, whereas VSC reacts to loss of traction from any/all of the 4 wheels, providing not only traction control but some degree of skid control by selectively braking one or more wheel(s) and cutting engine power.
I'll have to let one of the owners with a newer RX than mine answer the question as to whether or not VSC can be turned off in the newer RX; it CAN be turned off in my GS.
I'll have to let one of the owners with a newer RX than mine answer the question as to whether or not VSC can be turned off in the newer RX; it CAN be turned off in my GS.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Colorado
In a sense your dealer is right. Traction control is only available on the FWD version. Lexus does not sell FWD RX300 in the snow belt unless you special order.
For 2001 and on, the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) option became standard equipment on AWD RX300. Look for the VSC badge on the front doors.
For 2001 and on, the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) option became standard equipment on AWD RX300. Look for the VSC badge on the front doors.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Colorado
Re: Traction Control
Originally posted by Gaith
Hi
I have a 2002 RX300 AWD with Traction Control, Where I live it's not needed (but I got it any way, I did not have an option) so I never tried it.
Good luck
Hi
I have a 2002 RX300 AWD with Traction Control, Where I live it's not needed (but I got it any way, I did not have an option) so I never tried it.
Good luck
Either you have an AWD with VSC, or a FWD with TC. Again it's impossible to have AWD with TC.
Take a look at the blank space next to the front cigarette lighter. It's the space for the TC off switch, only available on the FWD model.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Arkansas
VSCsc400, TRAC wasn't available on the 99 AWD; what you could get was the optional limited slip diff for the rear wheels. You do have, of course, SNOW, POWER, and normal (center position on the switch) modes for trans an throttle mapping.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,533
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From: Austin, TX
99 FWD had optional Trac control. I opted for it as I did not want/need AWD.
Trac works by applying brake to the (front ... FWD) wheel which has lost traction (spinning at a higher rate). The engine power is thus trasmitted to the wheel which has grip.
It turned out that track sytem turned out to be better mechanism than AWD system till vsc came out.
Salim
Trac works by applying brake to the (front ... FWD) wheel which has lost traction (spinning at a higher rate). The engine power is thus trasmitted to the wheel which has grip.
It turned out that track sytem turned out to be better mechanism than AWD system till vsc came out.
Salim
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Arkansas
It turned out that track sytem turned out to be better mechanism than AWD system till vsc came out.
Bottom line: I always had at least 3 driven wheels vs 1. Can you clarify???
Dr Tom
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From: International
Re: Re: Traction Control
Originally posted by HarrierAWD
Either you have an AWD with VSC, or a FWD with TC. Again it's impossible to have AWD with TC.
Take a look at the blank space next to the front cigarette lighter. It's the space for the TC off switch, only available on the FWD model.
Either you have an AWD with VSC, or a FWD with TC. Again it's impossible to have AWD with TC.
Take a look at the blank space next to the front cigarette lighter. It's the space for the TC off switch, only available on the FWD model.
Thank you
Last edited by Gaith; Nov 16, 2003 at 12:10 AM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Austin, TX
Originally posted by mooretorque
Salim, your info has always been pertinent and your opinions well thought out, so I'm curious as to the rationale for the above statement. Even if you credit (banned) WWest's statements/explanations regarding the AWD system, I found that, at least with the optional LSD, wifey's RX would go UP anything that I would also consider going back DOWN when the weather was icy/snowy. And that was true with both the Goodyear Flacciditys as well as the CTXs.
Bottom line: I always had at least 3 driven wheels vs 1. Can you clarify???
Dr Tom
Salim, your info has always been pertinent and your opinions well thought out, so I'm curious as to the rationale for the above statement. Even if you credit (banned) WWest's statements/explanations regarding the AWD system, I found that, at least with the optional LSD, wifey's RX would go UP anything that I would also consider going back DOWN when the weather was icy/snowy. And that was true with both the Goodyear Flacciditys as well as the CTXs.
Bottom line: I always had at least 3 driven wheels vs 1. Can you clarify???
Dr Tom
Sorry I dont have much info on LSD. was that available then? Clearly 3 wheels driven are better than 1.
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; Nov 16, 2003 at 06:29 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Arkansas
Now that you've jogged my memory, I do remember that scenario.
Yes, the mechanical LSD was available from inception. Ours was/is a fairly early car (5/98 purchase) and, knowing that otherwise the car had 2 open diffs, I ordered the car with LSD.
Thanks for taking me down memory lane!!
Yes, the mechanical LSD was available from inception. Ours was/is a fairly early car (5/98 purchase) and, knowing that otherwise the car had 2 open diffs, I ordered the car with LSD.
Thanks for taking me down memory lane!!