Hi Melissa, What an amazing tutorial! You made me feel so special taking the time to answer my question but what was most impressive was the time and effort that went into this video. It was obvious that you did your research and your explanation was clear and very informative! You are a true professional and your dealership is lucky to have you! Thanks again, Scott
So glad I could help. If you want to get into the nitty gritty I have a lot of great links from my research in the video description. I try to focus on simple descriptions here with real world application and leave the technical details to the pros :) Thanks for tuning in!
Hi! Thanks for tuning in. TRD has a variety of Performance Dampers and they are definitely model specific. I would contact a Toyota Dealership Parts Department to confirm about the RAV4 Prime. If there is a ream mounted motor/generator for AWD there may not be room for the damper. Same issue if someone wants a tow hitch installed. The damper has to come off. Hope this helps. Thanks so much for tuning in!
FANTASTIC explanation! I have a '22 ES300h Ultra Lux with the damper(s). The ride is so incredibly smooth, I am very impressed with the ride and quietness of my car.
Thanks so much for being here! I'm so glad you liked the video. I had a lot of fun learning more about the dampers. If you want to learn more about the features on your 22 ES300h, I have a Deep Dive tutorial on the 2022 ES you might like: 2022 Lexus ES Full Tutorial - Deep Dive: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EP61qvBv3kU.html
Recent purchase of the 2022 RX350 fsport here. Will have to look out for the dampers in mine. I am still learning some of the 'bells and whistles' on my RX350 and have to say your videos have been very helpful and informative. By the way. You are a babe! ;-)
This video is slightly wrong on some things. She says that the partnership happened in 2013 which is incorrect as I have a 2011 Lexus CT200h hybrid hatchback and it’s NOT a FSport model but I DO have front and rear Yamaha Lateral Performance Dampers above the front suspension under the cowl so it is attached to the strut tower and the rear is at the far back directly behind the rear bumper. On both my 2011 and 2014 NON-FSport CT200hs
Hi Alexander, The date for the partnership was provided by Lexus and I used the information they gave regarding this specific partnership. It doesn’t mean that dampers weren’t used before 2013 or that only f-sport models would be compatible. As I mentioned in the video other packages also include dampers and some of the vehicles pictured in the demonstration are not FSport. I’m sorry if you found the information confusing. Thanks for tuning in.
Coming from a 2019 RX Non-F-Sport Ultra Lux, to a 2022 RX F-Sport with the Adaptive Variable Suspension and Lateral Dampers, I can truly there is a difference in the ride, BUT probably not as people may think. BOTH are equally comfortable and quiet, and if you had to use either one as a daily driver, you wouldn’t have any problems in the ride quality. HOWEVER, while both are just as comfortable and quiet, the main difference I can perceive are mostly during turns and curves (and of course acceleration during Sports+ mode). The F-Sport has much less body roll during a turn. You feel literally more planted and confident as the car seems to “grip” the road better. The dramatic bolstered seats in the F-Sport also contributes the sense of being more planted in your turns. You can also feel the increased stiffness while in Sport+ mode, but nothing harsh at all. At the end, you really can’t go wrong with either versions. But do your research and test drive BOTH cars to really get a feel. TBH, I was initially put off on the F-Sports Seats, but eventually grew into them to point where I may actually prefer them over the regular non-F-Sport seats. Lastly, be aware there are some options ONLY available in one version or the other (e.g., Under-thigh extensions only in Non-F-Sport Seats)- so do your research and ask lots of questions. Hope this helps. And this channel is by far the best Lexus tutorials out there.
Hey @JBettis! Great to see you here! Since these aren't connected to the suspension system they are working all the time, in any Dive Mode. (I did both drives in Normal Drive Mode.) Also, all of the cars I saw them on did not have Adaptive Variable Suspensions, so the Drive Mode would not be impacted any way. Without AVS, the Drive Mode selector is impacting throttle response, on older GSs it could also impact steering feel for Sport S+. These are one more extra step in reducing vibration. That's why the say they reduce "micro-vibrations" and they are connected to the chassis to try to prevent those vibrations from traveling up to the driver. Hope this helps.
Hi! Thanks so much for checking in! These dampers are really more about ride comfort and reducing vibration. It's possible that they can create some increase rigidity, but I haven't seen any information about them reducing body roll. I think they tend to add them to f-sport packages most, because they have sport tuned suspension systems and they want to have a sporty Lexus ride, but not a rough ride. They also are not like the KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) seen on some of the Lexus GX models. That is a more robust system designed to help reduce sway and roll. I hope this helps! I am definitely more knowledgeable on the technology side of Lexus world, but it was a lot of fun to learn more about this!
Amazing video! After read through all the technical specification on 2023 RX500h. Not able to confirm if it got the build-in performance dampers? After further search I found TRD may offer the same performance damper in this video (TRD parts no. MS303-48008; Performance Damper EX Plus).
You can definitely ask your Technician to check when it's up on the lift, if you aren't able to see them while it is on the ground. Some were easier to spot than others. Thank you very much for tuning in with me!
Interesting. Does your IS adjust the suspension system in Sport Mode (some do, if they have the AVS). That could explain the difference in feel. Either way, driving an IS in Sport mode is always fun! Thanks for being here!
Hi Melissa. I try to watch all your videos and always learn something new. You explain everything very simple and easy to understand. Can you tell me how to adjust the headrest on RX 350 please? I have 17 MY with premium package. I can move it up and down but can't move forward. Google doesn't have anything either. If it is adjustable you'll be the first one on YT with this tip if you decide to make a video of it :). Thank you.
Hi Tommy! Thanks so much for watching! I'm really glad they help! You're correct about not being able to move the head rest forward or back. Many of the Lexus vehicles only have height adjustable headrests. If a head rest can be moved forward or back, you'll see a small track opening in the top of the seat back that would allow the movement of the post. The headrests are whiplash lessening and are designed to support your head and neck in a specific way that is to help lessen the severity of whiplash in an accident. I hope this helps :)
How long do these lateral performance dampers last? How does one know when they need to be replaced? I have a 2013 RX350 F Sport with ~110,600 miles. I am about to have the front struts and rear shock absorbers replaced. Should I ask the mechanic to check on these lateral dampers at the same time?
Hi @joncaju. That is definitely a great question for your Technician. From what I've seen they are sealed units. It may have a recommend amount of miles driven before they are replaced since you can't see inside the hydraulic component itself. Hope this helps. Thanks so much for tuning in.
Thanks so much for your videos. A new 2021 RX450 Hybrid was sent to me and I had no training on how to use all the technical bells and whistles on the car. Your videos saved me.. The way you go about explaining it all was very helpful.
Thanks so much, Edie! I'm so glad the videos were helpful for you! Congratulations on your new RX450 Hybrid! That is such a wonderful car! Thanks again for tuning in!
LOL! Right!?! My car is a "non damper" too. They roll them into some F-Sport Handling packages to help reduce more vibration that you could feel with a stiffer suspension. Then on the Ultra Luxury packages that have them it's all about super comfy ride quality, very smooth feeling. I'm not sure if the dealerships do installs for cars that didn't originally come with the compatible packages. There may be more parts compatibility issues. I did run across some very pricy after market dampers that seem to be available in other countries. I can't promote them since they aren't an official Lexus part. If you really want them, I would start by contacting your Lexus Service/Parts department or Collision Center to find out about compatibility :) It's great to see you here @DougieFresh!
Hi, thank you for your tech tip on performance dampers. I picked up my new 2021 RX450h F Sport two days ago, and it has performance dampers (it does not have adaptive variable suspension). I plan on installing a tow hitch for my Thule bike rack, but the rear performance damper is installed exactly where a hitch would go. It clearly appears that the damper must be eliminated or relocated. Any thoughts from your techs? Thank you from Southern Calif.
Hi G MAN :) Thanks for tuning in. I spoke with my Technicians and they did confirm that the rear performance damper usually has to be removed if I tow hitch is being installed. They recommended talking to a bike rack installer for recommendations to see if there is any other work around. Also, note that you will want to turn off some of your safety features that the bike rack will trigger: Parking Sensors, PKSA, PKSB and RCTA. Some people I spoke with said they only have to turn those things off when the bikes are on the rack, but to talk to the installer about that also. Hope this helps.
@@NorthsideLexus thank you very much. I’m hoping that the beautiful ride quality of the car doesn’t change with the removal of the damper. The hitch will add rigidity and may even help reduce understeer. Loving the F Sport and hybrid technology. I’m subscribed and look forward to any tech updates that you post. Stay safe =)
@@Combat556 I now what you mean. The ride is amazing. I will tell you that the dampers do add to the comfort feel, but it is subtle. Some people notice the difference and others don't. The hitch will change the feel some and it will be different with and without the bikes on the rack. I would recommend that you request to keep the damper when they remove it. Then if you ever want to have it put back on you can do that. :) Have fun. Tag us in some pictures with your bikes if you want. We are on fB and IG and love seeing our friend's fun Lexus adventures!
@@NorthsideLexus thank you. BTW, I had installed a Curt hitch on my 2019 RX350L and didn’t notice any difference in ride or handling; that car did not come equipped with performance dampers. I’ll post outdoors pics when available. =)
@@Combat556 That is good to know. One of our Sales Managers rides in the MS150 and said that the Thule rack is a really awesome accessory. Looking forward to hearing what you think.
Hi Melissa. I purchased a 2022 RX 350 F Sport in January. I want to have a trailer hitch installed to accommodate a bike rack. I have learned that my F Sport has performance dampers on the rear. I’ve been told the only way a hitch can be installed is to remove the damper which I am hesitant to do. If I were to install the hitch with the damper removed, what can I expect in terms of handling.
Hi Neal, So sorry for the delay. You are correct that the lateral performance dampers have to be removed for a towing hitch to be installed. I did confirm this with one of our lead technicians in the shop and he said there is not another way to install the towing equipment, because it goes in the same place. He also said that he didn't think it made a huge difference in the drive feel, but each person might be more or less sensitive to the change. I hope this helps. Thanks for tuning in.
@@NorthsideLexus thanks for your response Melissa. I have learned from a Lexus Service Manager that the OEM trailer hitch for the F Sport is mounted behind the bumper rather than the traditional method. The hitch maintains its towing capacity as well. Can you confirm that with your resources before I proceed. Thank you.
@@nealleonhard6150 that is interesting. I’ll be happy to follow up for you. I’ll be back at the store Monday and I’ll ask our shop foreman. I know when I filmed this video the Techs told me they end up having to remove a lot of the dampers because of requests for a towing hitch to be install. We don’t usually install after market accessories, but I will see if they have any information for you. Do you think the Service Manager you spoke with means it needs to be install at the factory with the hitch and dampers? Or are they able to do the hitch install without removing the dampers?
@@NorthsideLexus hi Melissa. I was told the hitch (PT22848160) would be installed without having to remove the rear lateral damper. L look forward to hearing back early next week. Have a great weekend.!
