What kind of AWD is it?
02-22-11, 01:20 PM
#16
Lexus Champion
03-10-11, 06:32 PM
#18
Rookie
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ON
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I drove my RX330 AWD through some high snow banks here in Canada and it had no problem as long as you give it some speed before hitting the deep snow.
Two feet should not be a problem for the RX but when you got ice below it is very important to keep momentum.
Two feet should not be a problem for the RX but when you got ice below it is very important to keep momentum.
03-11-11, 07:08 AM
#19
yes, it is an AWD for sure, i also have air suspension. and even put it up thinking it would help.
the ECT snow was also activated.
my thinking is that our AWD setup isnt very advanced. power takes the path of least resistance, since the fron wheels had no traction, the power went there.
i dont think our setup has the ability to detect slippage and send power to other wheels. hence the rear wouldnt move at all.
i have done checks since to make sure the AWD does work, and it does. i think like someone else posted, the ratio is 90 front 10 rear, that may be accurate.
ideally, a quattro, subaru or acura's SH-AWD system would have surely been better.
the ECT snow was also activated.
my thinking is that our AWD setup isnt very advanced. power takes the path of least resistance, since the fron wheels had no traction, the power went there.
i dont think our setup has the ability to detect slippage and send power to other wheels. hence the rear wouldnt move at all.
i have done checks since to make sure the AWD does work, and it does. i think like someone else posted, the ratio is 90 front 10 rear, that may be accurate.
ideally, a quattro, subaru or acura's SH-AWD system would have surely been better.
03-11-11, 08:08 AM
#20
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The way I understand it for the Rx350:
The center differential is of the viscous type (limited slip) which means that torque should be distributed more or less 50/50 front to rear. The thing is that with viscous differentials, their needs to be a big enough difference between the speed of the front wheels and the speed of the rear wheels (ie slippage) for the silicone in the differential to turn thicker and transfer torque equally front to rear. Maybe the traction control was interfering with the diff's job. If it was cutting engine power before their was enough slippage for the viscous diff to do it's job, then power might follow the path of least resistance.
The center differential is of the viscous type (limited slip) which means that torque should be distributed more or less 50/50 front to rear. The thing is that with viscous differentials, their needs to be a big enough difference between the speed of the front wheels and the speed of the rear wheels (ie slippage) for the silicone in the differential to turn thicker and transfer torque equally front to rear. Maybe the traction control was interfering with the diff's job. If it was cutting engine power before their was enough slippage for the viscous diff to do it's job, then power might follow the path of least resistance.
03-11-11, 12:03 PM
#21
Lexus Champion
Yeah but the 05`s didnt use a viscous coupling.They used a simpler but just as effective method.
Lexus RX330 AWD
Lexus redesigned its bestselling model for 2004, and it enters 2005 with just some minor upgrades and a rollover sensor for the side curtain airbags. The next big thing for this SUV is the RX400h, a hybrid-powered version that goes on sale in late winter. The conventionally powered RX uses a 3.3 liter V-6 with an output of 230 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is a five-speed automatic, and the all-wheel-drive system uses a torque-splitting center differential that relies on traction- and stability-control hardware to apportion the power in slippery conditions.
Lexus RX330 AWD
Lexus redesigned its bestselling model for 2004, and it enters 2005 with just some minor upgrades and a rollover sensor for the side curtain airbags. The next big thing for this SUV is the RX400h, a hybrid-powered version that goes on sale in late winter. The conventionally powered RX uses a 3.3 liter V-6 with an output of 230 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is a five-speed automatic, and the all-wheel-drive system uses a torque-splitting center differential that relies on traction- and stability-control hardware to apportion the power in slippery conditions.
Last edited by lexus114; 03-11-11 at 12:28 PM.
03-13-11, 03:35 PM
#24
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Western Australia (Australia)
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes
on
11 Posts
The closest soft stuff that I have taken the RX through was a beach. Thankfully most of the ground was not as soft as it looked, and I did follow a Landcruiser through.
04-09-11, 09:43 PM
#25
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: OR
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suggest you give your manual a thorough read. When you're stuck, you need to disable the traction control:
"If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control system. This system that controls engine performance interferes with the process of freeing your wheels."
"If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control system. This system that controls engine performance interferes with the process of freeing your wheels."
yes, it is an AWD for sure, i also have air suspension. and even put it up thinking it would help.
the ECT snow was also activated.
my thinking is that our AWD setup isnt very advanced. power takes the path of least resistance, since the fron wheels had no traction, the power went there.
i dont think our setup has the ability to detect slippage and send power to other wheels. hence the rear wouldnt move at all.
i have done checks since to make sure the AWD does work, and it does. i think like someone else posted, the ratio is 90 front 10 rear, that may be accurate.
ideally, a quattro, subaru or acura's SH-AWD system would have surely been better.
the ECT snow was also activated.
my thinking is that our AWD setup isnt very advanced. power takes the path of least resistance, since the fron wheels had no traction, the power went there.
i dont think our setup has the ability to detect slippage and send power to other wheels. hence the rear wouldnt move at all.
i have done checks since to make sure the AWD does work, and it does. i think like someone else posted, the ratio is 90 front 10 rear, that may be accurate.
ideally, a quattro, subaru or acura's SH-AWD system would have surely been better.
04-10-11, 05:45 AM
#26
I suggest you give your manual a thorough read. When you're stuck, you need to disable the traction control:
"If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control system. This system that controls engine performance interferes with the process of freeing your wheels."
"If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control system. This system that controls engine performance interferes with the process of freeing your wheels."
04-11-11, 11:00 AM
#27
Driver
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The way I understand it for the Rx350:
The center differential is of the viscous type (limited slip) which means that torque should be distributed more or less 50/50 front to rear. The thing is that with viscous differentials, their needs to be a big enough difference between the speed of the front wheels and the speed of the rear wheels (ie slippage) for the silicone in the differential to turn thicker and transfer torque equally front to rear. Maybe the traction control was interfering with the diff's job. If it was cutting engine power before their was enough slippage for the viscous diff to do it's job, then power might follow the path of least resistance.
The center differential is of the viscous type (limited slip) which means that torque should be distributed more or less 50/50 front to rear. The thing is that with viscous differentials, their needs to be a big enough difference between the speed of the front wheels and the speed of the rear wheels (ie slippage) for the silicone in the differential to turn thicker and transfer torque equally front to rear. Maybe the traction control was interfering with the diff's job. If it was cutting engine power before their was enough slippage for the viscous diff to do it's job, then power might follow the path of least resistance.
04-11-11, 12:17 PM
#28
I suggest you give your manual a thorough read. When you're stuck, you need to disable the traction control:
"If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control system. This system that controls engine performance interferes with the process of freeing your wheels."
"If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control system. This system that controls engine performance interferes with the process of freeing your wheels."
Wow, that is a great tip. Thanks for the info!