How does the 2004 and up Lexus RX Gas only AWD version perform in the snow? If all wheels are on ice will it brake one wheel to get traction? Will this happen as what happens to the Ford Explorer in the youtube video. I don’t plan on taking it off road, but just that concept about the concept discussed with Locking Differentials 1 min 14 seconds in. It gets me worried because the Lexus does not even have low range and that Ford SUV does and it still get stuck.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XRch1hgkvLs

Thanks

 

someone correct me if im wrong, but the 2004-2006 RX330 does not have a locking diff. It just has the ability to transfer power to the wheel with the most grip. with that and traction control and vehicle stability control, the car does fine.

there are a lot of snow threads on here. I made one myself a few weeks back after coming back from Tahoe. The car does great!

 

RXSF is right, RX is *ALL-Wheel-Drive* rather than 4x4. You certainly will get a better traction in the snow, but you won't be able to climb hills in RX.

-- Andrey

 

this is very interesting

 

The RX350 will be a little better in the snow than the RX330, the RX350 went back to using the viscous limited-slip center differential in their AWD system.

 

Huh!! My RX is a superb climber, stable in the snow. Am sure it also a good off-roader (haven't tried that yet.)

 

so mainly if all wheels lose traction but say the rear left. the car will still go? or will it be stuck.

 

lol most likely stuck...but the idea is that it would keep going.

 

Just remember that serious off-road vehicles use traditional frames and are usually truck based. Our vehicles are car based and use a unibody construction. Of course, the RX was NEVER designed for even mild off-roading. More likely a grocery-getter with some pretty decent antiskid and stability control for traditional driving.

 

For serious off roading, the RX will need a lot more protection underneath.

 

And some serious suspension up-grades as well.(for off road)I would not consider it with a luxary vehicle anyway.

 

https://us.lexusownersclub.com/forum...ires/#comments

 

This forum has that one beat.....

 

Looking for those build threads for off-road adventure cars ?? Have only found a few so far ...

 

Yeah, its cool to see others mod/fab vehicles, but realistically your better off starting w/ another type of vehicle, such as a GX or a LX or similar.....btw I do like the GX's, but if I was to go that way, I would have gone w/ a srt8 Jeep.......then again it was a little to rough for my 88lbs wife who loves this rx.