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Lexus RX AWD vs FWD Questions

46 messages,  Last post on Jan 13, 2009 at 11:45 AM

You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 300, Lexus RX 330, Lexus RX 350, SUV

    

Messages Page 5 of 5

#37 of 46 Re: EPS waring light 2010 RX350 AWD [wwest] by behzad1

Jan 16, 2010 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Jan 11, 2010 10:59 am)
yeah, there were roadbed ruts first time it happened to me. However, It is getting worse, I receive this message two to three times in a short drive from my office to home. There are some speed bumps on my way home. could that be the reason??

#38 of 46 Re: EPS waring light 2010 RX350 AWD [behzad1] by wwest

Jan 16, 2010 (2:03 pm)

Replying to: behzad1 (Jan 16, 2010 1:32 pm)
Either your EPS is defective or for some reason it is having to work harder on a regular, consistent, basis than the designers expected. Road rutting would undoubtedly be a contributing factor that first time.
 
Upgraded to wider tire tread with more CSA, stearing force shock absorber added, lack of adequate cooling for the control module..??
 
Maybe even a failing CV joint.
 
I have even heard of the torque tube, stearing force sensor, being twisted, taking a permanent twist, due to extraordinary driver stearing input forces being used at some time in the past. The effect from this latter often results in the EPS partially fighting the driver's stearing wheel input, even to the point of opposite forces to the input.

#39 of 46 Lexus RX AWD vs FWD Questions by ca2ny

Oct 30, 2011 (6:49 am)

    

#40 of 46 How to identify AWD vs FWD RX330? by ca2ny

Dec 19, 2007 (3:37 pm)

Can anyone advise me how to distinguish an AWD RX330 (model year 2004) from a FWD one? As far as I can determine, there are no differences in the badges on the car, nor does the manual appear to describe any readily visible feature present on the AWD model that would be missing on the FWD model (or vice versa). Short of taking it into a mud hole and seeing which wheels spin, how can I identify whether the vehicle is AWD or FWD?

#41 of 46 Re: How to identify AWD vs FWD RX330? [ca2ny] by avery1

Dec 19, 2007 (4:23 pm)

Replying to: ca2ny (Dec 19, 2007 3:37 pm)
I believe there are certain letters in the vin that indicate FWD or AWD. Unfortunately I don't know them.

#42 of 46 Re: How to identify AWD vs FWD RX330? [ca2ny] by la4mead

Dec 19, 2007 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: ca2ny (Dec 19, 2007 3:37 pm)
I'm guessing (based on the RX300?) it's the fourth digit of the VIN: G for 2WD, H for 4(A)WD, however I don't know for sure on your model. Kelley Blue Book or NADA might help, and you can access them online.
 
The most sure way is to look for the driveshaft/rear differential under the car. Even if not mechanically inclined, if you can look and you don't see a way for the mechanical transfer of power to the rear wheels from the transmission, you have 2(F)WD. In other words, if you do have AWD, there will be a drive shaft (black, about 2" diameter) going through the center tunnel (next to the exhaust) from the transmission to a (differential) gear box (about 12" square) distributing between shafts going to the rear wheels. If it's empty of driveshafts, to and in between the rear wheels it should look like the middle of the car only has an exhaust pipe, but no shaft.
 
I hope it helps.

#43 of 46 Re: How to identify AWD vs FWD RX330? [la4mead] by ca2ny

Dec 19, 2007 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: la4mead (Dec 19, 2007 8:11 pm)
Thanks for the explanation of what to look for. Even I (non-mechanically inclined, as you correctly surmised) ought to be able to tell with that clear description.

#44 of 46 How will we know if our rx350 is AWD or FWD? by prik

Jan 13, 2009 (11:45 am)

#45 of 46 How will we know if our rx350 is AWD or FWD? by prik

Jan 13, 2009 (11:28 am)

Hi,
Apart from the dealers words, is there any way to know if my rx350 is AWD? Normally, on few suv's they mention it on the vehicle as "AWD" if it's an All-wheel-Drive, but Lexus doesn't.
Is there anyway to check if my Lexus is AWD?

#46 of 46 Re: How will we know if our rx350 is AWD or FWD? [prik] by la4mead

Jan 13, 2009 (11:45 am)

Replying to: prik (Jan 13, 2009 11:28 am)
Personally, I applaud the lack of stuck-on badges and graphics. But if you didn't buy the vehicle new (check your window sticker) then check your VIN. I'm not sure about 350 models, but several characters in on the 300's a "G" was 2WD and an "H" was 4WD. It's likely the same for all Lexus models.
 
Also, if you can look under the rear, the absence of a driveshaft and rear differential is a pretty good indicator it's 2WD . If there's a driveshaft down the middle leading to a rear differential that distributes power via shafts with black boots to the rear wheels, that's your 4WD.

Messages Page 5 of 5

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