Hi,

I have a 23 RX350H and I wonder if I have an issue with AC. I'm curious if others are in the same boat.

Possible issue: With automatic climate control and AC off and regular outside air is turned on, the air is unusually cold.

That became so a lot more obvious when I drove to LA recently, which was in 90s close to 100, and just using regular air, it felt like 15 to 20 + degrees cooler to the point that direct air on skin contact made me feel a little cold. I don't think regular air can do that at all, so that doesn't feel right.

Is anyone experiencing the same? Thanks for reading.

Derek

 

If It's anything like my old 2022 NX350 you are getting cold air because the AC is still on. I know exactly what you are taking about. My wife and I went for a long drive and never turned on the AC. It was over 100 degrees with the humidity. Very hot day and we were both very cool. While driving I went into the climate settings, turn everything off, there was no blue light anywhere to be found. Turned on just the fan and bang, hot humid air fresh from the outside. Got the hairy eye ball from my wife...now the AC is off!

I think this topic has been discussed before and looks like most (all?)models of Lexus work this way.

I am sure someone with a much better explanation will chime in.

 

Most car ac compressors today are not clutched. Instead they have variable output but are always operating at least a very small amount.

 

I thought the 350h used a electric motor to power the compressor and therefore no clutch would be needed.

 

You're right, it is. I was able to find a used one online and it has the unmistakable orange high voltage wiring.

 

This took me a few weeks to figure out after we got our car, as there is no mention of these settings in the owners manual. I have my first complimentary maintenance soon and will confirm my discoveries with the dealer, but this is what I discovered and I now know what to do depending on what A/C or fan mode I want. It was strange because we only really use the AUTO mode, adjust the fan speed, and never really pressed the A/C button unless I really wanted A/C, but would get condenser drip in the garage when we parked

So there seems to really be 4 modes for the A/C/FAN. Cycles through each mode every time you hit the A/C icon.

1.FULL OFF- A/C lettering WITH line on top IS NOT lit solid white - No A/C or Fan
2. AUTO On - A/C lettering WITHOUT line on top IS lit solid white- Fan on and A/C is On, but low mode
3. AUTO ON - A/C lettering WITH BLUE line on top IS lit solid white- Fan on and A/C is On, but Max mode
4. FAN ONLY - A/C lettering WITH WHITE line on top IS lit solid white- Fan on and A/C is off

 

I've fallen for this trap. Thought I had the A/C off in cool weather, but the compressor was on.

Giveaway: The condensate drain, just behind the right-front wheel. If it drips water after a drive, you didn't turn off the compressor.