salimshah

Share your thoughts on RX
Heating
Cooling
Modes (Auto and others like defrost etc)


I find ducting (low position center console) little restrictive for rear passengers.

Salim

AM1

iTrader: (6)

my heater doesnt work anymore, which i find strange seeing as how i almost never use it. and i hate how the air vents in front dash and placed very low. for me the vents either hit my hands or hit my hair. i dunno about rear seat since no one ever sits there.

Lil4X

My RX 300's HVAC was a little obtuse in its programming, but never failed to warm/cool the cabin very nicely. With outside temps ranging from the low teens to over 114 degrees, it was always comfortable.

However, there are always nits to pick. Like the 330, the selection of fan speeds always seemed to defer to silence rather than efficiency - especially when I was COLD - meaning on a frosty morning I have to bump the fan speed up once the temp is off the peg to warm up the cabin as quickly as possible.

Running the A/C in all modes is probably a good idea to control humidity, but I often wish the programming would simply shut off the HVAC altogether until the engine is warm. Blowing gentle zephyrs of chilled air on my feet when the OAT is near freezing is NOT the way to endear oneself to me, no matter how efficiently it keeps my windows from fogging.

Lexmex

Well, about the only time my system goes on is if my parents are down here. I won't even defrost.

However, I find it somewhat of pain that I have to press so many buttons to get he defrost mode going in the direction I want. I now know which selection of buttons perform the magic, but I can imagine for someone not used to the RX300, it can get a little aggravating.

Definitely the rear passengers have issues, whether it is hot or cold.

I never use the AUTO control as it always goes into what it thinks rather than what mother nature thinks.

salimshah

If there is one universal fact about mechanical things it is ...

If you dont use it you will loose it.

The duct flaps which stay closed kind of bind and the acutator can not operate them. [Your problem may be different].

Salim

miniround

thank god for the "chilly" winters in FL...i can open my windows and use my heated seats.

my AC sucks in more gas than air, it's ridiculous...that's why i hate summer's here, because you need AC and i dont feel like filling up 2 times a week.

salimshah

Another thing to keep inmind is one must operate the AC once a while (even in winter time) to prevent the seals from drying out.


Another titbit ...

A/C obviously draws from the engine power (more gas) but each vehicle has a cross over point (energy consumed vs drag with open windows). This is typically at hwy speed. City driving will usually favor windows down.

Humidity, smoke, dust and vehicle moving vs stopped are other factors to consider. The ultimate decision maker is the comfort level.

Salim

Fern

Check out what Ederny did to improve heat flow

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rx300how2/heat_flow.htm

jmaynard

The HVAC in my RX300 just worked, aside from not being hefty enough to keep the windshield clear when driving in freezing rain. There were a few times I drove home hunched over, looking through the bottom 6 inches of my windshield.

HarrierAWD

I have the 2002 RX300. The HVAC works great, though I hate that Auto mode turns on the A/C, even when not needed. It keeps cool in Arizona desert with ease, and keeps me warm in frigid cold Colorado within minutes. I don't think that you can ask for anything better.

And oh that heated seats... I only wish that it has optional heated steering wheel.

LexFather

Works perfect. The cabin is not large enough where it seems to take forever to change the temperature (as in larger SUV)s.

salimshah

Tip:

Every month take a damp clean (lint free) rag and wipe down all interiror glass surface.

This will drastically reduce fogging in cold/damp winter months and imporve vision.

Salim