Stability control (1 Viewer)

[hedydd]

Is there any sign of a resolution that lets the Lexus and Land Cruiser back on the market?
Anyone even experienced any problem as reported by the consumer group that caused Toyota to take these vehicles off the market? If so, was it an experience that justifies the reaction by Toyota or have they over-reacted in light of recent events?

Is there no mention of the alleged problem on here or have I missed the debate?

 

[mark71]

no problems with the LC 200 or LX570.

 

[IslandTimes]

Well the GX 460 has been held from sale due to a problem with stability control, but neither the LX 570 nor the LC 200 have any problem that I've heard of.

 

[M1911]

Yes, Toyota has resolved the problem by reprogramming the ESC. Toyota released a video that shows the GX460 before and after the reprogramming:
YouTube - Lexus GX 460 Vehicle Stability Control Update

Yes, it was a real problem. No, it was not an overreaction by Consumer Reports or by Toyota. Yes, Toyota has solved it.

The issue was that the GX460 had lift throttle oversteer. If you simply lifted off the throttle during cornering, the truck would oversteer and the ESC not intervene quickly enough. The result was that you could get the truck sideways. While lift throttle oversteer, within limits, can be fun on a sports car, it isn't fun or safe on a top-heavy, softly sprung SUV. If you got your GX460 sideways and hit a curb, there is a good chance it would roll. Bad juju.

Even Porsche spent years to reduce or eliminate lift throttle oversteer on the mighty 911. They did that for a reason. I give kudos to Toyota for responding quickly and transparently to this issue.

As others have pointed out, the LX and Land Cruiser 200 did not exhibit this problem.

 

[hedydd]

Thank you. I was unclear about where the GX460 fitted in the range. Neither it nor the Toyota Four-runner are sold in the UK. We only get the top specification 200 and various versions of the 120 [prado]. Nearly all are sold with diesel engines and the 200 has only ever been available with diesel as was the 100 before it.

 

[M1911]

Thank you. I was unclear about where the GX460 fitted in the range. Neither it nor the Toyota Four-runner are sold in the UK. We only get the top specification 200 and various versions of the 120 [prado]. Nearly all are sold with diesel engines and the 200 has only ever been available with diesel as was the 100 before it.

You're quite welcome.

I believe that the GX460 is essentially a top spec Prado with a 4.6l V8 engine. They only found problems with left-hand drive GX460s and Prados with the KDSS system.

The 4Runner is built on the same frame as the Prado/GX, but with completely different bodywork and interior. The 4Runner is currently offered with an automatic transmission, 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder gas engines. The 4Runner is offered with 2WD, and both part-time and full-time 4WD systems (depending on the trim level). The GX460 is only offered with full-time 4WD (lockable Torsen center diff with two speed transfer case).

We don't get the Prado or diesel engines here (more's the pity).

 

[tempestv8]

Not specifically related to stability control, but I did find that if I had to do an emergency brake on the LC200, the front end dives quite noticeably.

I don't know if the Prado or Tundra or Prado/GX470 has this trait, but it's a bit disconcerting to see the front end drop quite dramatically when you put your foot down hard on the stoppers.

Perhaps this is simply an IFS trait.

 

[M1911]

No, front end dive is not a trait related to IFS. It is a function of suspension tuning. Stiffer front springs and shocks would significantly reduce dive on braking. My 4Runner also has quite a bit of dive on hard braking -- not a surprise given its soft suspension.

 

[pman]

No, front end dive is not a trait related to IFS. It is a function of suspension tuning. Stiffer front springs and shocks would significantly reduce dive on braking. My 4Runner also has quite a bit of dive on hard braking -- not a surprise given its soft suspension.

X2

Also it doesnt mean that the vehicle wont stop, big vehicles always have front end dive.........sure it doesnt look the great, but it will stop. The BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne are the only large SUV-type-things that I have seen that do not have a lot of nose dive under hard braking, and even they do it more than a sedan/saloon would

 

[hedydd]

Hmm!? My 100 series doesn't dive much although I feel that the back end does rise more than it used to, but that is different to the front diving. IIRC the 'skyhook' suspension in the 100 was tuned to minimise dive.