Bought a used 2014 RX with ~40k miles recently and the steering wheel is quite heavy during turning. Not sure if this is normal for the RX (I'm coming from an old 2001 Ford Escape XLT). Most Toyotas I've driven have a very light steering wheel so it seemed odd and I wasn't sure if there is something wrong and I should have it looked at.

Any thoughts / advice?

 

Welcome to CL!

Under what conditions is it that you feel like it's heavy? All the time? And are there any sounds like a groaning noise maybe? It's almost always really smooth and light for me whenever I turn the wheel.

 

No noise at all - totally silent. Only heavy feeling when making sharp turns (i.e., 90 degree vs highway or lane changes), never any other time.

 

Congrats on the RX and welcome to CL.

We have an F Sport so the steering feels heavier when turning compared to a regular RX, however, you can still easily turn the wheel with one hand. IME the steering on the regular RX has a very light / smooth feel to it. I'm assuming you have a regular RX?

 

Check tire pressure.

 

Thanks all - sounds like it may not be normal. Will check tire pressure as advised and if not explained by that will take it in for Lexus to look at. Bought used and have ~5,000 miles left on factory warranty so just don't want to chance power steering pump or something going out on it.

 

Yeah, probably best to have it checked for peace of mind.

And again, it's not happening at highway speeds, only during low speed turns? I ask because the RX does have Speed Proportional Steering which would adjust the steering feel at speed.

 

^This.
Plus, you're coming from a Ford and I've always found their power steering to be ludicrously low effort.

 

It has electric power steering. There is a motor, no pump.

 

Clutchless,
Question:
Electric Power steering, Is it an electric motor driving the pump rather than the mechanically driven pump ?

 

The electric motor does all the work. There is no hydraulic pump (and no fluid)

 

Holy Complications, Batman!

 

You got that right!!!!!!

 

I am going to go out on a limb and say this is normal.

The RX (even AWD) is essentially FWD and what you are describing is a bit of torque steer at low speeds when the tires have more resistance. At higher speeds you will not feel this. This is one annoyance RWD cars & trucks do not have.

 

Got it. Thanks for posting.