How to lighten steering effort
05-14-18, 01:18 AM
#16
Driver School Candidate
Heavy steering 2015 RX 450h Executive
Steering effort is incredibly hard for a luxury SUV. Not as heavy as if power steering was out of order, but still too heavy to turn the wheel with one hand. Is this normal? Is the effort adjustable in any way?
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Frenchman (05-17-18)
05-14-18, 08:34 AM
#18
Driver School Candidate
No, it's in normal mode. It feels like there is a leak in power steering fluid, although I know this is an electrical system. But the feeling is that of a leaking power steering pump
05-16-18, 10:58 AM
#19
Well, the RX450h steering is heavier than the one may expect on a luxury SUV, but not at the point to suspect a failure. I suggesto to pay a visit to a good tyre shop and have tyres pressure and alignment checked...
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Frenchman (05-17-18)
05-17-18, 08:59 AM
#20
Racer
If it helps, the steering in mine is not light either. When I drive another car, the steering feels like the tires aren't even on the ground and just spinning in the air. Takes me a few seconds to adjust and not drive in wild circles.
But I haven't found it too hard to turn with one hand, I can spin the wheel fairly rapidly side to side just with a flat hand if the vehicle is moving at least a little bit, and my hand isn't sweaty or otherwise excessively lubricated
In winter, I can't use fabric gloves, too slippery for this.
But I haven't found it too hard to turn with one hand, I can spin the wheel fairly rapidly side to side just with a flat hand if the vehicle is moving at least a little bit, and my hand isn't sweaty or otherwise excessively lubricated
In winter, I can't use fabric gloves, too slippery for this.
05-17-18, 09:06 AM
#21
Driver School Candidate
Thank you all for your replies.Droid13 I have had the same experience. It is after driving another vehicle for a week, athat had a light steering effort ( like that of a 1978 Ford LTD ) that I noticed how hard the steering on the RX was...Unless I am driving in the south of France or in Corsica, my hands are not sweaty either....
05-17-18, 01:39 PM
#22
Instructor
Thread Starter
I have the same issue. So far, I have not found a fix. Some people even ridiculed me asking why I bought the car in the place and whatnot. ........but the problem exists as evidenced by other posters.......
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-effort-2.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-effort-2.html
05-18-18, 07:36 AM
#23
Driver School Candidate
Peterbilt steering
I have the same issue. So far, I have not found a fix. Some people even ridiculed me asking why I bought the car in the place and whatnot. ........but the problem exists as evidenced by other posters.......
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-effort-2.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-effort-2.html
At first, only the harsh suspension ( although I have the air suspension) was an unpleasant surprise...Then I notices that Peterbilt steering...We always tend to doubt our experiences when no one else reports them, so thank you very much for your input
05-18-18, 07:40 AM
#24
Driver School Candidate
Lxus motto: "save time, work out while you drive"
There are so many wrong assumptions in the OP post.
Lexus and specifically all the RX are not known for having stiff steering. That is completely wrong assumption that that was part of the design. They all have much easier and light steering than a BMW X series let alone 3series. Every single car review will say driving just about all lexus except for the halo cars is like driving with mittens on, that is the lexus feel; but the steering is not heavy. The main purchasers and target of the RX are soccer moms to make driving easy, not euro enthusiasts.
So with that new background;
there is something different about your particular car if the steering is heavy. Take it to the dealer and ask if what you are experiencing is normal. However, if it is not normal and you are out of warranty, it may be costly than you can stomach to fix.
If you don't believe it, take or ask for the opportunity to test drive a new RX or a loaner RX and I bet it will not have heavier steering than a BMW.
Also, how long have you had the car? shouldn't you have noticed this before buying, what changed?
Lexus and specifically all the RX are not known for having stiff steering. That is completely wrong assumption that that was part of the design. They all have much easier and light steering than a BMW X series let alone 3series. Every single car review will say driving just about all lexus except for the halo cars is like driving with mittens on, that is the lexus feel; but the steering is not heavy. The main purchasers and target of the RX are soccer moms to make driving easy, not euro enthusiasts.
So with that new background;
there is something different about your particular car if the steering is heavy. Take it to the dealer and ask if what you are experiencing is normal. However, if it is not normal and you are out of warranty, it may be costly than you can stomach to fix.
If you don't believe it, take or ask for the opportunity to test drive a new RX or a loaner RX and I bet it will not have heavier steering than a BMW.
Also, how long have you had the car? shouldn't you have noticed this before buying, what changed?
Last edited by Frenchman; 05-18-18 at 07:43 AM. Reason: mistake
05-18-18, 12:25 PM
#25
You will not get any kind of info you are looking for here, all you will get in anecdotal crap from the clueless. All they know is what the dealer or manual tells them, anything outside of that is strictly outside of their realm of understanding.
Welcome to the Lexus brand!
While it being electric suggests what you are thinking is possible is correct, problem is to do that, it is controlled by software, other manufactures have aftermarket ecu tuning from vendors that have the tools to make these type of changes. Unfortunately there is not much of a market for this type of service for the Lexus brand outside of the RC models, also I believe the ECU isn't cracked and as a result there are no tools developed.
Welcome to the Lexus brand!
While it being electric suggests what you are thinking is possible is correct, problem is to do that, it is controlled by software, other manufactures have aftermarket ecu tuning from vendors that have the tools to make these type of changes. Unfortunately there is not much of a market for this type of service for the Lexus brand outside of the RC models, also I believe the ECU isn't cracked and as a result there are no tools developed.
01-14-19, 11:51 AM
#28
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2019
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RX 400h. 2010 model. The steering is stiff. Hard to turn. No malfunction light is on,
Scanning the car, gives no fault code. I suspect a steering mechanical fault. What can I check, and process of checking it without damage to hybrid and other electronic systems on the car ? Thank you.
01-14-19, 04:54 PM
#29
I have a 2010 and it's the RX450h, so perhaps you have a 2009.
Power steering in a 2010 is electric, I assume also on yours. If no dash light, without knowing what I'm talking about I'd guess power steering fluid. Quick call to the Lexus dealer would clarify.
Power steering in a 2010 is electric, I assume also on yours. If no dash light, without knowing what I'm talking about I'd guess power steering fluid. Quick call to the Lexus dealer would clarify.
