Considering a LC:real world gas mileage?
- Thread starter Mike Rapp
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I get about 14, but I'm sure they will change when I throw some 35's on this Biatch!
In considering an LC/LX in the Atlanta area, I agree SWUtah; 14 mpg is a good number, though with the light for Atlanta traffic you indicate, 15 might be expected. A Certified LX is usually very competitive, comes with a full warranty, and similar in price to a LC of the same year. More LXs were sold, so more are available on the used market. Unless you know the people at a Toyota dealer, the Lexus experience is better.
We have used our 01 LX470 for trips and it is a fantastic highway machine. With a fully loaded LX, the AHC kept the truck level, so it rode and handled similar to light load. I set it to sport tuning so handling was similar to a light load. We have over 230K now, and never had issues with the AHC; though I replace the fluid every 60K miles as recommended. We traveled year round and did light off roading during our trips. Reliabilty has been stellar with regular maintenance the primary expense. The only AHC issue we have is during a winter cold spell with a heavily loaded vehicle, sometimes we have to raise the AHC to Normal before we get on board (or load it in Normal). We lived in ATL for several years and got 13-14 mpg in traffic, 16 hwy, with the LX.
If looking for a CPO at Lexus, it will be 2009 or newer and under 70k miles. Full warranty to (1st) 100K or 3yrs. If you have a favorite dealer for your GS, then you can have your sales person hunt for what you are looking for. They have an internal Lexus network of the best used autos before they go to the open auctions. The CPO program has special financing and other promos, such as free oil changes til 100K, 2 service visits for free; etc. which vary by sales event. I got a call about my LX two weeks before it arrived at the dealer and had first option on purchase when it arrived. The CPO price I got was the same or less than LCs being offered by other dealers at the time. If an LX is eligible for CPO but is not offered as CPO, there is usually a reason.
If you find a certified Toyota, it usually comes with a powertrain warranty that you can upgrade; just make sure the warranty is through Toyota Financial Services. Many Toyota dealers will use another warranty service, and you may have to insist on TFS (which is a better warranty for the buyer). If a vehicle has >70K, it is not eligible for certification; but you can pay for the certification test and you will get the dealer info on any issues with the vehicle. Although the Lexus CPO is a good value, purchasing an extended warranty is rarely cost effective on Toyota or Lexus vehicles.
We have used our 01 LX470 for trips and it is a fantastic highway machine. With a fully loaded LX, the AHC kept the truck level, so it rode and handled similar to light load. I set it to sport tuning so handling was similar to a light load. We have over 230K now, and never had issues with the AHC; though I replace the fluid every 60K miles as recommended. We traveled year round and did light off roading during our trips. Reliabilty has been stellar with regular maintenance the primary expense. The only AHC issue we have is during a winter cold spell with a heavily loaded vehicle, sometimes we have to raise the AHC to Normal before we get on board (or load it in Normal). We lived in ATL for several years and got 13-14 mpg in traffic, 16 hwy, with the LX.
If looking for a CPO at Lexus, it will be 2009 or newer and under 70k miles. Full warranty to (1st) 100K or 3yrs. If you have a favorite dealer for your GS, then you can have your sales person hunt for what you are looking for. They have an internal Lexus network of the best used autos before they go to the open auctions. The CPO program has special financing and other promos, such as free oil changes til 100K, 2 service visits for free; etc. which vary by sales event. I got a call about my LX two weeks before it arrived at the dealer and had first option on purchase when it arrived. The CPO price I got was the same or less than LCs being offered by other dealers at the time. If an LX is eligible for CPO but is not offered as CPO, there is usually a reason.
If you find a certified Toyota, it usually comes with a powertrain warranty that you can upgrade; just make sure the warranty is through Toyota Financial Services. Many Toyota dealers will use another warranty service, and you may have to insist on TFS (which is a better warranty for the buyer). If a vehicle has >70K, it is not eligible for certification; but you can pay for the certification test and you will get the dealer info on any issues with the vehicle. Although the Lexus CPO is a good value, purchasing an extended warranty is rarely cost effective on Toyota or Lexus vehicles.
Ha, okay, at first I mis-read your post and thought you said you got 21.1, and I was about to be like BS!@!!
But yeah, that sounds about right. I didn't realize they made that size in a KO2.
I didn't realize they came in a 285/65/18. The AT KO2?
I'll be.
I think I may have rather bought that size last week compared to the 275/70/18. Oh well, guess maybe the 70's fill the wheel well slightly better than the 65. One half dozen or another.
Dern.
I think I may have rather bought that size last week compared to the 275/70/18. Oh well, guess maybe the 70's fill the wheel well slightly better than the 65. One half dozen or another.
Dern.
You know I could not help thinking, if you are watching your gas gauge this is not the truck for you. I suggest a hybrid Tahoe. You do not buy any Land Cruiser with any thought of mpg on the horizon.
Just my 2 cents.
Just my 2 cents.
Ya, kinda true... But for those of us who can't afford new...and save to buy a Cruiser...it's worth a thought or two.
I'll be driving about 5000 miles BEFORE the Ouray trip this summer, and splitting costs with a buddy traveling with me. If we can eek out a couple extra miles per gallon, it will make a significant difference...
If you're looking at used, like your GS, and don't plan to mod your vehicle, then you should consider a used Lexus LX570. The 08-11 LX 570 will likely be *less* expensive than a Land Cruiser and come with more features. While Toyota calls for premium gas, it's the same engine as the LC and can use regular 87 octane if you wish.
As far as mileage goes, 2WD will do slightly better than 4WD, but with the LC/LX you have no choice by 4WD. I get about 10mpg in full Chicago city driving in my LC and 17-18 at 100% highway 70-75mph.
I have never had good luck with any of my land cruisers on fuel mileage, my wife has a 2015 4Runner and it is very good on fuel 19 around town 24 on trips.
MPG on my rigs over the years:
1980 FJ40 12 MPG
1988 FJ62 with H55 13.5 MPG
1993 FJZ80 14 MPG
1997 FJZ80 13.5 MPG
1998 100 14 MPG
2003 100 16 MPG
2011 200 13.1 MPG
This is all in town driving. None of my rigs were heavily modified, but they all made me smile when I drove them.
MPG on my rigs over the years:
1980 FJ40 12 MPG
1988 FJ62 with H55 13.5 MPG
1993 FJZ80 14 MPG
1997 FJZ80 13.5 MPG
1998 100 14 MPG
2003 100 16 MPG
2011 200 13.1 MPG
This is all in town driving. None of my rigs were heavily modified, but they all made me smile when I drove them.
I would take a look at the fuelly website and have a gander around. Here is mine.
Troopy (Toyota Land Cruiser) | Fuelly
Just finished the trip out west and the low mpg is from that damn kansas wind and 8000 foot mountains in Colorado. otherwise it was hard for me to get below 16-17
Troopy (Toyota Land Cruiser) | Fuelly
Just finished the trip out west and the low mpg is from that damn kansas wind and 8000 foot mountains in Colorado. otherwise it was hard for me to get below 16-17
I averaged 15MPG on a 4000 mile trip a couple months ago...and that was nearly all highway. Technically, I was likely getting slight better than 15, since my tires are a bit bigger than stock...but that was a ton of highway...& still only 15. On the other hand...that's still better than my 100 got...
I have an 08 with 161k miles as of this week. Past weekend we did a 600 mile round trip to the inlaws, most of it is on 65MPH divided highway. I kept it at about 75MPH and I averaged 14.2 MPG as indicated on the computer, which is about 14.9 calibrated for the larger tires covering more distance than the truck thinks it is (about 5% larger diameter). That's with a 2" front lift, TJM bumper, 12k winch, and 275/70/18 Duratracs.
Before the swap to the 275s and the front bumper, this truck absolutely loved running at 80MPH. It was more economical than 70 for sure. I used to get about 16MPG at 70 and about 17MPG at 80. Now I top out at about 16MPG (indicated) at 55, and it just goes downhill from there.
I've been thinking about changing my O2 sensors as a PM. I've done it in other Land Cruisers and 4Runners and it increased mileage as the O2 sensors weren't reading proper fuel mixture. I found that around 120k-140k, the mileage on Toyota trucks seems to fall off by 20%, sometimes more, and this is usually attributed to a fouled O2 that isn't far enough out of spec to trigger a CEL on the dash.
Before the swap to the 275s and the front bumper, this truck absolutely loved running at 80MPH. It was more economical than 70 for sure. I used to get about 16MPG at 70 and about 17MPG at 80. Now I top out at about 16MPG (indicated) at 55, and it just goes downhill from there.
I've been thinking about changing my O2 sensors as a PM. I've done it in other Land Cruisers and 4Runners and it increased mileage as the O2 sensors weren't reading proper fuel mixture. I found that around 120k-140k, the mileage on Toyota trucks seems to fall off by 20%, sometimes more, and this is usually attributed to a fouled O2 that isn't far enough out of spec to trigger a CEL on the dash.
Stock 2016 mixed driving getting 15 to 17. I see about 12 to 13 towing my boat.