RX 2WD vs. AWD
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3
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From: WA
RX 2WD vs. AWD
Any RX 2WD owners have any experience driving theirs in torrential rain, ice, or snow? If so, how did the Lex perform? Any comparison if you've also driven an RX AWD would be appreciated.
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 240
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From: GA
I have a 2WD RX that performs excellent in the rain. I used to live in WA where we had constant drizzle and now I live in TN where we get torrential thunderstorms and downpours. Due to the 2WD being front wheel drive, it handles very well in snow as well compared to other 2WD that are typically rear wheel drive. In ice, nothing moves... What part of WA do you live? I lived in the Seattle area for years and then outside of Puyallup towards Mt. Ranier.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,583
Likes: 1,397
From: Austin, TX
AWD/FWD is just part of the whole story. Need to dig in to type of drive and traction control (or lack of traction control). Early RX came with viscous coupling for rear.
Due to missing locking mechanism, AWD was worse off than FWD with traction. For '99 the traction was an option for FWD.
Salim
Due to missing locking mechanism, AWD was worse off than FWD with traction. For '99 the traction was an option for FWD.
Salim
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
AWD/FWD is just part of the whole story. Need to dig in to type of drive and traction control (or lack of traction control). Early RX came with viscous coupling for rear.
Due to missing locking mechanism, AWD was worse off than FWD with traction. For '99 the traction was an option for FWD.
Salim
Due to missing locking mechanism, AWD was worse off than FWD with traction. For '99 the traction was an option for FWD.
Salim
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,583
Likes: 1,397
From: Austin, TX
The power transfer system along with traction control has been evolving on RX. I did my homework back in '99 and purchased the FWD with traction control. I have not kept up with the changes.
Technically the auto-trans, due to its slush-box is a fluid coupling [You need something to give, to provide clutch action]. So a carry over of viscous coupling in design may not be bad, but the locking arrangement (axle, diff or wheel) may have been revised.
We used to have long discussions back in 99-01 on this subject. Other manufacturers created ramps and rollers to show thr RX weakness.
My intent was to shine a spot light on the issue. Also keep in mind, very few designs are perfect. Each has its pluses and minus. [Like torque steer in FWD]
Salim
Technically the auto-trans, due to its slush-box is a fluid coupling [You need something to give, to provide clutch action]. So a carry over of viscous coupling in design may not be bad, but the locking arrangement (axle, diff or wheel) may have been revised.
We used to have long discussions back in 99-01 on this subject. Other manufacturers created ramps and rollers to show thr RX weakness.
My intent was to shine a spot light on the issue. Also keep in mind, very few designs are perfect. Each has its pluses and minus. [Like torque steer in FWD]
Salim
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Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 103
From: Sacramento, California
Salimshah I believe you are right, the VSC was introduced to eliminate the Vicous coupling design. However when the RX came out, it beat the Mercedes ML in driving through a sand test area....I still have the magazine issue. The vicous coupling I believe has been re entroduced on the latest RX (I may be wrong) I thought I read that somewhere....
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
The power transfer system along with traction control has been evolving on RX. I did my homework back in '99 and purchased the FWD with traction control. I have not kept up with the changes.
Technically the auto-trans, due to its slush-box is a fluid coupling [You need something to give, to provide clutch action]. So a carry over of viscous coupling in design may not be bad, but the locking arrangement (axle, diff or wheel) may have been revised.
We used to have long discussions back in 99-01 on this subject. Other manufacturers created ramps and rollers to show thr RX weakness.
My intent was to shine a spot light on the issue. Also keep in mind, very few designs are perfect. Each has its pluses and minus. [Like torque steer in FWD]
Salim
Technically the auto-trans, due to its slush-box is a fluid coupling [You need something to give, to provide clutch action]. So a carry over of viscous coupling in design may not be bad, but the locking arrangement (axle, diff or wheel) may have been revised.
We used to have long discussions back in 99-01 on this subject. Other manufacturers created ramps and rollers to show thr RX weakness.
My intent was to shine a spot light on the issue. Also keep in mind, very few designs are perfect. Each has its pluses and minus. [Like torque steer in FWD]
Salim
Last edited by lexus114; Apr 3, 2009 at 08:24 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Whatever the "design" of the RX, I've never gotten stuck in snow and handling on ice is fine with the right tires. I don't live in the snow belt of Michigan or North Dakota, but I live in NJ which gets it's nice share of snow when the time is wrong... I've barreled my '99 out in 12" of snow and it's been fine. I can see where if you're going up an incline and there happens to be ice/snow and everything you can think of on the road that the RX could get stuck without the locking rear-diff. but not many "4x4" are going to be able to get out in the "wrong situation" anyway.
Which version to get depends on where you live. If you live up north with snow, just for peace of mind and that 1 in 1000 chance you'll need it, get the awd. If you're living south with no snow ever, then of course get the 2wd because that's fine enough for rain.
Which version to get depends on where you live. If you live up north with snow, just for peace of mind and that 1 in 1000 chance you'll need it, get the awd. If you're living south with no snow ever, then of course get the 2wd because that's fine enough for rain.
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