2wd or awd
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: wa
2wd or awd
I just got a 2000 rx300, I got stuck in the snow and ony one frount tire was spinning? It should be awd how do I find out if its awd or frount wheel drive there are no awd emblems on the car
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,573
Likes: 1,393
From: Austin, TX
I dont know how decode the vin, but the dealer can do that over the phone.
You can crawl under and see if there is a power source for the rear-wheels.
That said, there are limitations to the type of the 2wd and 4wd systems. Not all 2wd and 4wd systems are equal. You need to educate yourself as to the advantages and disadvantages of the system in YOUR model. Lexus has redesigned the AWD system on RX over time.
'99 AWD was powered by viscous coupling for the rear and unfortunately the power was diverted to the wheel which has least amount of traction. Competitor (there was only one) set up demo with no traction on one side and the AWD RX could not climb the ramp. The FWD with traction control (option in '99) fared better as long as one of the front was on solid footing.
Salim
You can crawl under and see if there is a power source for the rear-wheels.
That said, there are limitations to the type of the 2wd and 4wd systems. Not all 2wd and 4wd systems are equal. You need to educate yourself as to the advantages and disadvantages of the system in YOUR model. Lexus has redesigned the AWD system on RX over time.
'99 AWD was powered by viscous coupling for the rear and unfortunately the power was diverted to the wheel which has least amount of traction. Competitor (there was only one) set up demo with no traction on one side and the AWD RX could not climb the ramp. The FWD with traction control (option in '99) fared better as long as one of the front was on solid footing.
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; Dec 25, 2008 at 06:56 PM.
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: California
The AWD version has 90% of the torque in the front and only 10% in the rear but I understand that it can adjust under certain situations to 75%/25%.
Look underneath your vehicle from the front passenger side, if you have AWD there will be a driveshaft that leads to the rear differential.
Look underneath your vehicle from the front passenger side, if you have AWD there will be a driveshaft that leads to the rear differential.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 959
Likes: 2
From: New Jersey
Check the model code found on the driver's side door (at the bottom under the barcode)
MCU10 = 2WD (FWD)
MCU15 = 4WD (AWD)
Don't expect much from a 99-00 AWD. They did make some improvements in 01. Some other car company (MB I think) had a video of the 99-00 RX on a tilted platform showing the deficiencies of the AWD before the improvements.
MCU10 = 2WD (FWD)
MCU15 = 4WD (AWD)
Don't expect much from a 99-00 AWD. They did make some improvements in 01. Some other car company (MB I think) had a video of the 99-00 RX on a tilted platform showing the deficiencies of the AWD before the improvements.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: california
I dont know how decode the vin, but the dealer can do that over the phone.
You can crawl under and see if there is a power source for the rear-wheels.
That said, there are limitations to the type of the 2wd and 4wd systems. Not all 2wd and 4wd systems are equal. You need to educate yourself as to the advantages and disadvantages of the system in YOUR model. Lexus has redesigned the AWD system on RX over time.
'99 AWD was powered by viscous coupling for the rear and unfortunately the power was diverted to the wheel which has least amount of traction. Competitor (there was only one) set up demo with no traction on one side and the AWD RX could not climb the ramp. The FWD with traction control (option in '99) fared better as long as one of the front was on solid footing.
Salim
ps: We take pride on CL to be user friendly. A day like today should be a reminder to extend all the courtesy to each other.
You can crawl under and see if there is a power source for the rear-wheels.
That said, there are limitations to the type of the 2wd and 4wd systems. Not all 2wd and 4wd systems are equal. You need to educate yourself as to the advantages and disadvantages of the system in YOUR model. Lexus has redesigned the AWD system on RX over time.
'99 AWD was powered by viscous coupling for the rear and unfortunately the power was diverted to the wheel which has least amount of traction. Competitor (there was only one) set up demo with no traction on one side and the AWD RX could not climb the ramp. The FWD with traction control (option in '99) fared better as long as one of the front was on solid footing.
Salim
ps: We take pride on CL to be user friendly. A day like today should be a reminder to extend all the courtesy to each other.
Trending Topics
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Wow, this post is real interesting. Didn't know there were so many "different" versions of the RX since '99 throughout the 1st Gen. I have a '99 since '02 and I have never gotten stuck in snow and I've been in some high snow (most was reported 15") and no issues. Maybe I should be more careful now that I know this.
Didn't the FWD come with a "VSC" emblem on the front door exterior or something, while the AWD did not have this?
Didn't the FWD come with a "VSC" emblem on the front door exterior or something, while the AWD did not have this?
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,573
Likes: 1,393
From: Austin, TX
I started noticing the vsc emblem somewhere in 01/02. They did come equipped from 99, but was an option without any emblem.
FWD by itself are not too bad in snow .. in fact they drive better than rwd. Ice on the other had is more treacherous. Since I dont live in cold country; if you will allow me the latitude, the mud is worst for traction.
Since RX does not come with locking differential, vsc seems like the only option that can get you out of a sticky situation.
Salim
FWD by itself are not too bad in snow .. in fact they drive better than rwd. Ice on the other had is more treacherous. Since I dont live in cold country; if you will allow me the latitude, the mud is worst for traction.
Since RX does not come with locking differential, vsc seems like the only option that can get you out of a sticky situation.
Salim
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Everything is a matter of luck and timing. Don't run into ice, or nothing will help. And if you've got momentum driving, then try not to stop on snow. It's when you stop and have to "relaunch" that you run into traction problems.
I tried driving my LS430 up an icy/snow covered incline near work. The road was clear except in this parking lot (I have not driven my LS on snow yet and probably never will after today), where they left the snow in piles. I went in to see how my tires would handle on snow/ice and they stunk. In snow mode and with traction control on, the rear wheels just could not get traction. Just shows you, don't matter what, traction control only works if the tires can actually get traction.
I tried driving my LS430 up an icy/snow covered incline near work. The road was clear except in this parking lot (I have not driven my LS on snow yet and probably never will after today), where they left the snow in piles. I went in to see how my tires would handle on snow/ice and they stunk. In snow mode and with traction control on, the rear wheels just could not get traction. Just shows you, don't matter what, traction control only works if the tires can actually get traction.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
The AWD version has 90% of the torque in the front and only 10% in the rear but I understand that it can adjust under certain situations to 75%/25%.
Look underneath your vehicle from the front passenger side, if you have AWD there will be a driveshaft that leads to the rear differential.
Look underneath your vehicle from the front passenger side, if you have AWD there will be a driveshaft that leads to the rear differential.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Wow, this post is real interesting. Didn't know there were so many "different" versions of the RX since '99 throughout the 1st Gen. I have a '99 since '02 and I have never gotten stuck in snow and I've been in some high snow (most was reported 15") and no issues. Maybe I should be more careful now that I know this.
Didn't the FWD come with a "VSC" emblem on the front door exterior or something, while the AWD did not have this?
Didn't the FWD come with a "VSC" emblem on the front door exterior or something, while the AWD did not have this?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
