dshehane Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I have just finished a frustrating three weeks after taking delivery of our new 2012 RX 350 AWD. We do not need Snow Chains often, but we do travel mountain passes where "carry chains" is the law, even with AWD. We live on a hill at 500 ft and have problems every other year or so. So the needs for chains are to meet the "carry" requirement and a very occassional emergency need. The frustration has been finding chains that meet the owner's manual's specifications. I can find chains that fit the P235/55R19 tire size, but not the 10.8mm side clearance without going to cable or to very expensive "zero clearance" chains. The irony is that so many stores and e'tailers say "these will fit, just use them.." when they clearly do not meet the Lexus specifications. Getting clarification from Lexus has been a total "strikeout". Even the dealer has struck out trying to get more information from Lexus. The dealer simply says "we discourage chains...the AWD will take care of you". I agree, I don't want to use chains...I just want to carry them and have them for emergency. Looks like I am going to have to settle for 6mm cable traction devices as I can find no chains to cover the situtation. Has anyone else had this issue? How did you solve it? Thanks in advance for any feedback. Dave West Linn, Oregon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pj8708 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Hey Dave. .welcome to the LOC. So far ino one has come up with an answer for you but hang in there and hopefully someone might have some experience with chains on a RX. Glad to have you post. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenore Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I know on my RX300 I would carry the Cable chains....They worked great...Remember they go on the front......even with AWD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaswood Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Within a week after purchasing my new '01 "awd" RX300 I had 4 new 17X8 RH wheels fitted using 1.6" spacers. Wider stance, more tread surface contact area....and....wait for it.... More suspension clearance at the front and much more importantly enough suspension clearance at the rear that a good set of cable chains could be fitted. My RX runs on summer use only tires, BridgeStone Turanzas throughout the year. When things get tuff, as they just did, the rear chains go on first, and then I add the front chains. I have tried driving with just the front tire chains installed but I was, remained, entirely cognizant of the radically different driving dynamic that creates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenore Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Within a week after purchasing my new '01 "awd" RX300 I had 4 new 17X8 RH wheels fitted using 1.6" spacers. Wider stance, more tread surface contact area....and....wait for it.... More suspension clearance at the front and much more importantly enough suspension clearance at the rear that a good set of cable chains could be fitted. My RX runs on summer use only tires, BridgeStone Turanzas throughout the year. When things get tuff, as they just did, the rear chains go on first, and then I add the front chains. I have tried driving with just the front tire chains installed but I was, remained, entirely cognizant of the radically different driving dynamic that creates. I would only put chains on front as that is where 90% of your drive is on the RX300 AWD..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaswood Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I know on my RX300 I would carry the Cable chains....They worked great...Remember they go on the front......even with AWD. Op has a 2012 RX350 that uses a completely different "awd" system than prior, <2010, models. The history, mostly other marques, of the new type "awd" is not good, highly prone to PTO failures. My guess is that those failures arise directly from the "locking" of the rear drive clutch in every day situations regardless of roadbed traction conditions. Were I the owner of one of the new(er) "awd" systems I would immediately add a switch, 3-mode switch. Off-Auto-Lock. Off...no rear clutch power. Auto..factory mode, to be used ONLY when the driver has doubts of the level of roadbed traction. Lock...rear drive FULLY engaged, to be used ONLY with driver certainty of SLIPPERY roadbed conditions and below ~20 MPH. As recently experienced, AGAIN, here and abouts, AWD/4WD even with wintertime speacialty tires, just doesn't cut the mustard. We had 12" of snow here last week, but the more important point was/is the layer of ICE beneath that snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaswood Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Within a week after purchasing my new '01 "awd" RX300 I had 4 new 17X8 RH wheels fitted using 1.6" spacers. Wider stance, more tread surface contact area....and....wait for it.... More suspension clearance at the front and much more importantly enough suspension clearance at the rear that a good set of cable chains could be fitted. My RX runs on summer use only tires, BridgeStone Turanzas throughout the year. When things get tuff, as they just did, the rear chains go on first, and then I add the front chains. I have tried driving with just the front tire chains installed but I was, remained, entirely cognizant of the radically different driving dynamic that creates. I would only put chains on front as that is where 90% of your drive is on the RX300 AWD..... "..90% of your drive.." With the exception of the 99-00 models and the 2010 and after models the RX3X0 series "awd" is a simple "One-Wheel" drive system simple "open" differentials front, center, rear. These models rely, always belatedly, "post" the slip/skid event, on Trac braking to "enforce" engine torque apportionment to non-slipping wheels. Along with the use of braking for this purpose you also get INSTANT engine dethrottling. Many "awd" models that make use of the trac braking technique now have an "off" switch to allow the vehicle to get unstuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorgeocampo Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 dshehane- I just bought a nice used RX350, 2010. Same problem with finding chains. I live in Portland, OR. Were you able to find chains that fit? Did you go the cable chain route? I wonder if Les Schwab has tire chains that size? I recall having used them on my former Lexus RX300. Just curious to know if you solved the problem for us :) Any help is apprciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorgeocampo Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I also just bought at 2010 RX350. Same problem finding the right chains. Any help would be appreciated in solving your issue for tire size 235/55R19. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natallia Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I've picked Thule Standard Snow Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - D Link - XB16 - Size 247 (http://www.etrailer.com/Tire-Chains/Thule/TH01571247.html) for my 2010 RX450h from http://www.etrailer.com/parts-by-tire-size.aspx?tirewidth=235&tireaspect=55&tiresize=19&productgroup=tire%20chains because I have bad experience with thin ladder type chains. You can adjust your selection by model/year/tire size there. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OreCanuck Posted December 28, 2014 Share Posted December 28, 2014 Les Schwab does sell the correct cable chains for the 19" wheels on my RX 350. They are about $90. I live in Tigard, Oregon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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