Hello all,

This summer I was driving on the interstate - 70 -80 mph, and suddenly my RX began to drag going uphill. I would have to almost floor it to get it to 70 mph. I kept driving until my destination. A week later, on the way back the same thing happened - this time I pulled over and could smell the brakes seemingly being baked. For the record I just had the brakes serviced and inspected - before my trip(not by Lexus). I waited until they cooled and continued to drive as having it towed was NOT an option. I had no problems. As soon as I got to my destination the following day I took in to be inspected and was told that I had driven with the emergency brake on and thus fried the brakes. I assured the technician that I had NOT driven with the emergency brakes on on both occasions. They told me they believed me but I knew they didn't and proceeded to replace the rear brakes.

So yesterday I went back on the interstate 70-80 mph and the same thing happened. I could feel the car vibrate, it dragged, and when I pulled off and braked at the exit the brakes were firm, other people at the gas station told me they could smell the brakes. I was NOT driving with the emergency brakes on and have witnesses. Anybody with a similar problem? My only guess is that somehow the ABS is braking while I am driving - maybe an electrical problem.

 

One more thing - there are no warning lights appearing.

 

Sounds like your calipers might have frozen. take it back to the shop that installed the brakes to check. Good luck.

 

ABS releases brakes, not holding them. If ABS broken, it doesn't release brakes on a slippery road.

I had an issue when pads we installed not straight and were burned in a few thousand kilometres (on one wheel). It's a known issue for RX - bad installation. And they were burned to one side to metal. Kind of no release to them.

BTW, if brakes overheated, better drive slowly to cool them, otherwise there will be "hot spots" on rotors (and warping).