Hi everyone,
I'm close to buying a new RX. I've never seen the issue of overheating discussed before, but I need to know.
Where I live, it's over 100 degrees every day during the summer, and I drive mostly short distances, but not a lot of stop and go. No heavy loads or towing. So has anyone out there had any problems with engine overheating? If so, what were the circumstances? and do you have the towing package.

Thanks in advance

 

no overheating issues ever. Ive never seen the temperature gauge go past the middle mark, which is where it should always be. As long as your not towing with the aircon on up a steep hill, i see no future issues. Even if the RX does by chance overheat, the conditions in which it will, will probably cause other cars to do so as well.

I have the towing package, no difference with the package or not. You just get the trailer hitch and the electric cables in the back.

 

Overheating wont be an issue. All car manufacturers do extensive hot and cold testing in tough climates under tough conditions. Lexus is by far the premier brand and has a highly engineered product. I have been in the Philippines several times and sat in Manilas highly congested traffic. Outside air temp ~97F, humidity about 70%. Nothing but stop and go. I rarely see any cars overheat.
Most taxi drivers sit in their cars for hours on end with them running (idling).

Check Consumer Reports for information about past 5 years reliability. You will see no issues with the cooling system.

Keep in mind that any vehicle will not work correctly if poorly maintained. But hey, if you can afford a Lexus, you can certainly afford to keep up with periodic maintenance.

 

You shouldn't have any issues, but make SURE you get the towing prep package, which IIRC consists of a bigger alternator (immaterial to this discussion), a larger radiator, and a transmission cooler. You can't possibly spend a better $120 on your car.

 

gecko
Obviously good to get the towing prep package. But, if the car doesn't come that way, I doubt the dealer can install it. So, that may limit my car selection.

 

even the whole overheating thing shouldnt be a problem. i drove thru the desert from LA to las vegas in summer heat outside (115+) with the AC on full blast all the way loaded down with a lot of luggage and i drove at or above 90 all the way. not any problems with overheating, even over the steep hills.

 

If everything is working properly, a new car should never over heat.

 

I would check out the air conditioning on the hottest part of a day. Mine seems adequate, but is not blowing like a blizzard. It may be marginal in a really hot climate.

 

Unless you got one of the bum radiators, assembled in Canada.

 

You shouldn't have an issue. Even before I installed a TRD T-stat, removed the washer fluid reservoir from in front of my tranny cooler, added WaterWetter, no issues with overheating ever.

 

What is waterwetter?

 

I couldn't explain it better than they can, http://www.redlineoil.com/products_c...coolantFlash=1

 

Ok, now it is all coming back to me...I took 2 courses in Thermodynamics in my college days....makes sense! The most efficient engine is the engine that does not need to release heat...transform all fuel energy to mechanical energy...no engine exists today that can do this....

 

So did I. No such thing as a free lunch!

 

So, the minute we develop the HIGH HEAT metal, then we are closer to higher efficiencies.