How bad is your gas mileage?

[Itsky]

I just installed an OME suspension to go along with 285/70/17 BFG AT KO2s load c and rock warriors. Family of four with a long weekend worth of clothes and KISS drawers with tools.

Highway test: from gas station > home in El Dorado Hills > down highway 50 > down highway 5 > kettleman city = 246 miles most at speed limit or +5

Took 13.9 gallons

MPG 17.7

 

[M1911]

I'm averaging 14.2 overall. All of my fillups can be viewed here: Land Cruiser (Toyota Land Cruiser) | Fuelly

My cruiser is close to stock, with BudBuilt sliders, and 285-65-18 K02.

 

[CRG]

MPG..that's funny
I have a LC with 305 KO2's, a supercharged tundra and a 911...thats like asking what my monthly liqueur bill is...who knows?

 

[dc916cruiser]

I've been tracking mileage via Fuelly since 2016 and average 11.7mpg. I would say a third of that time, I've had the RTT on top. Lots of smiles per miles though.

 

[40Man]

If I keep at 65 on the freeway I can get around 19-20 mpg no problem. If I run my roof box I lose a mpg. Strangely, I've noticed that crosswinds cause a huge drop, even more so than headwinds. Drove across Montana with very high cross winds and averaged 12 mpg (did have a roof box on).

When I am driving in town I average 14 to 15, which is about the same I get on the freeway going 75-80. These numbers were all hand calculated taking into account my larger tires. I don't calculate every fill-up because gas mileage doesn't matter to me too much. I check it from time to time to ensure that things are running right. I tested running ethanol free for a number of tanks, and found that it nets me just over half a mile per gallon better, or about 11 miles per tank at 20 gallons to fill. It costs more to run it, but I still prefer it after having ethanol gas gum up the carbs on my motorcycle and lawn mower. Still, fuel injected rigs tend to handle it better and I'm not too picky with the 200, but will use EF when it is convenient. Ethanol free is all I put in my FJ40.

Tacomaworld has a great tire calculator to compare stock to your current size:
Tire Size Calculator - Compare Tire Sizes | Tacoma World

 

[coleAK]

Ok ok. I’m a little hardened on this topic. I’m also over on the Tesla forums (the EV is how I offset the poor mpg of the LX) Now that the model 3 is out and selling well the forums are filled with people who traded their Prius for one and conplaing about how they aren’t getting the EPA rated range in all driving conditions. Just stop, no one should buy an LC if they are at all concerned about MPG.

 

[40Man]

Ok ok. I’m a little hardened on this topic. I’m also over on the Tesla forums (the EV is how I offset the poor mpg of the LX) Now that the model 3 is out and selling well the forums are filled with people who traded their Prius for one and conplaing about how they aren’t getting the EPA rated range in all driving conditions. Just stop, no one should buy an LC if they are at all concerned about MPG.

I actually find these threads to be very helpful. I don't see a lot of people on here concerned with their MPG, they just want to see how others are fairing. It can give an owner an idea if their may be something going on with their rig. These threads also give a good idea what you can expect with armor, and to give you an idea how much extra fuel you may need to carry off road once armored up, etc.

When it comes to the MPG of the LC, I will do the opposite of complain. The fact that a 5,700lb rig can get up to 20 mpg @65 on the freeway is amazing. I thought I was going to see a big drop from my 4Runner, but it has not been the case.

For me, having a reliable vehicle is more important than anything else. MPG only matters to the extent I have capacity where I need to go. If I owned a Model 3, I'd probably be complaining too. My office partner has one and it has a lot of issues. I had to drive to a meeting recently because the doors wouldn't unlock on his car. Add that too the rust, two large paint bubbles and the fact that it has shut down on him multiple times while driving, I think mpg is at the bottom of the list of his concerns too. Hopefully they can fix the issues as it otherwise looks like a good rig. I know they had a lot of production pressure and issues, but until they have a better track record, my thoughts of Tesla are similar to that of Jeep: I like the Wrangler, but it isn't reliable enough to own.

 

[M1911]

Ok ok. I’m a little hardened on this topic. I’m also over on the Tesla forums (the EV is how I offset the poor mpg of the LX) Now that the model 3 is out and selling well the forums are filled with people who traded their Prius for one and conplaing about how they aren’t getting the EPA rated range in all driving conditions. Just stop, no one should buy an LC if they are at all concerned about MPG.

Due to limited driveway space (and the need to be able to clear the driveway of vehicles so our plow guy can push the snow), my Land Cruiser is my daily driver. My daily commute is 15 miles each way and it takes about an hour -- so the math to figure out my average speed is easy and the result is depressing. Consequently, my fuel economy sucks. I do keep track of it simply because it is easy with the Fuelly app.

I can afford a Land Cruiser and I can afford to fuel it. That said, I would still welcome better fuel economy.

If I had room for another vehicle, then I would consider a more efficient and fun commuter car, but just isn't an option for me.

 

[coleAK]

I actually find these threads to be very helpful. I don't see a lot of people on here concerned with their MPG, they just want to see how others are fairing. It can give an owner an idea if their may be something going on with their rig. These threads also give a good idea what you can expect with armor, and to give you an idea how much extra fuel you may need to carry off road once armored up, etc.

When it comes to the MPG of the LC, I will do the opposite of complain. The fact that a 5,700lb rig can get up to 20 mpg @65 on the freeway is amazing. I thought I was going to see a big drop from my 4Runner, but it has not been the case.

For me, having a reliable vehicle is more important than anything else. MPG only matters to the extent I have capacity where I need to go. If I owned a Model 3, I'd probably be complaining too. My office partner has one and it has a lot of issues. I had to drive to a meeting recently because the doors wouldn't unlock on his car. Add that too the rust, two large paint bubbles and the fact that it has shut down on him multiple times while driving, I think mpg is at the bottom of the list of his concerns too. Hopefully that can fix the issues as it otherwise looks like a good rig. I know they had a lot of production pressure and issues, but until they have a better track record, my thougths of Tesla are similar to that of Jeep: I like the Wrangler, but it isn't reliable enough to own.

Well put in the mpg, I stand corrected. Again almost every thread on Tesla is about efficiency and range, so I apoligize I brought my bad attitude over here. We had a model s for 4 years and sold it to get a model 3. We’ve had zero issues with either of them. We like the EVs so much I put the $1000 reservation down for a rivian R1S SUV. But we’ll see when they makes it to market.

 

[40Man]

Well put in the mpg, I stand corrected. Again almost every thread on Tesla is about efficiency and range, so I apoligize I brought my bad attitude over here. We had a model s for 4 years and sold it to get a model 3. We’ve had zero issues with either of them. We like the EVs so much I put the $1000 reservation down for a rivian R1S SUV. But we’ll see when they makes it to market.

I'm sure many of them are great. and TBH, I'd expect an electric motor to last much longer than a gas motor. I guess the long-term testing of the batteries will be the key for these vehicles, but the expected reliability of the motor should largely make up for it. One of my associates has a Wrangler and it has been bulletproof too (well the stereo died after a month, but otherwise...). I am sure I will own an electric vehicle at some point, but with all the issues I have seen first hand and read about online with the Model 3, I'll wait until the # of issues go away. And from what I glean, I'm guessing it was from the pressure to produce more Model 3s in too short of a time based on ability and capacity.

 

[Docboy]

Ok ok. I’m a little hardened on this topic. I’m also over on the Tesla forums (the EV is how I offset the poor mpg of the LX) Now that the model 3 is out and selling well the forums are filled with people who traded their Prius for one and conplaing about how they aren’t getting the EPA rated range in all driving conditions. Just stop, no one should buy an LC if they are at all concerned about MPG.

@coleAK Can you elaborate more on the Model 3? What range are people getting with the 3?

I for one will be honest, when I bought my LX570 I never even looked at the mpg. Now that I have owned it for about 2 years, I do occasionally gripe about the low mpg, esp city, which I'm getting 11-12mpg. Every now and then, I'll think about getting a Prius Prime (~25miles all electric) since my commute is less than 8 miles each way and I could theoretically use no gas for my commute. Then I'll miss the 200's near invicible AWD system for the snow and mountains, ground clearance, go anywhere and go over anything capability, 3 row seating, and rear cargo capacity.

A friend of mine has a Model 3 and has so many issues, he's debating on trading it in already

There really is no perfect car unfortunately, unless Toyota makes an all electric AWD SUV for less than $40k

 

[coleAK]

@coleAK Can you elaborate more on the Model 3? What range are people getting with the 3?

I for one will be honest, when I bought my LX570 I never even looked at the mpg. Now that I have one, I do gripe about the low mpg, esp city, which I'm getting 11-12mpg. Every now and then, I'll think about getting a Prius Prime (~25miles all electric) since my commute is less than 8 miles each way and I could theoretically use no gas for my commute. Then I'll miss the 200's near invicible AWD system for the snow and mountains, ground clearance, 3 row seating, and rear cargo capacity.

A friend of mine has a Model 3 and has so many issues, he's debating on trading it in already

There really is no perfect car unfortunately, unless Toyota makes an all electric AWD SUV for less than $40k

First off there are no range/efficiency problems. It’s around Tesla not informing and people not thinking logically.

The first issue is around Tesla publishing the 310 mile range. I think people thought it was 310 no matter what... imagine if the 200 series had no mpg listed just a 450 mile range. So the expectation of some is you can do 0-60 in <4 seconds at every stop light, drive 80-90 mph, heat or AC blasting, snow/rain/ice, pre heat/cool before you get in and always be able to go >300 miles on a charge. Another issue is since the motor/drivetrain is so extremely efficient and almost no hp lost in the drivetrain there is more variability in efficiency. It takes the same amount of energy to push a 4K lb vehicle up a 1000 vertical foot hill but for a highly inefficient gas engine that energy may be another 10% in a EV it can be 100-200%. But that said going down a long hill I’ve gained 1-2% “back in the tank. Also heater and AC are electric so draw from the battery... in Alaska in the winter I average ~450 Wh/mi (mpg for EVs) the epa rated is ~240 Wh/mi. Last week it was in the high 40’s, clear roads, no wind. And I got 207 Wh/mi on a 180 mile round trip.

The last complaint is from the Prius crowd that apparently don’t care about emissions only must have justified purchasing a Tesla solely on the fact that they would save money on fuel. Then with gas prices going down and what they pay with taxes and fees for electricity it would’ve been a few pennies cheaper per mile To continue driving the Prius. That is versus a car that’s faster than a Porsche 996 turbo

The part of all of this that is really hard to explain with an EV until you experience it. Unless you’re taking a long trip you never think about putting fuel in your car. When you get home can you plug it in. So what I tell people is imagine if you woke up every morning with a full fuel tank How often would you need to stop and get gas?

The last thing I’ll say is I am not a bleeding heart liberal trying to save the world. I’ve been guessing we have one of the only Tesla’s with NRA plates

 

[TeCKis300]

From my use and ownership of multiple sizes of SUVs and 2 generations of Land Cruisers, having a 16mpg 3200 lb car and 87 mpg-e EV in the garage, I'm no more satisfied or unsatisfied with the gas efficiency of the 200-series. It's just right for what it is. Which is a giant fat tired 6200lb, hugely capable land bruiser. I didn't buy it for MPG efficiency.

I'll note that it's more powerful AND more efficient compared to the '06 LX470 100-series I had.

Where this latest 200-series has gone wrong IMO is perceived mpg inefficiency. Due specifically to the need to get gas too often. Because of the too conservative fuel gauge and remaining range-o-meter.

The 200-series has the same 25.4 gallon tank as my 100-series. Even though the 100-series actually got worse MPG in my use, the 200-series "feels" worse. I keep gas logs. I use to fill my 100-series 20-22 gallons regularly. Whereas the conservative 200-series gauges causes me to fill regularly at 18-20 gallons. Even as I consciously compensate for the gauges conservative nature.

In a thirsty full size SUV, it causes me to live at the pump and feel like I get terrible gas mileage. This is a completely contrived perception issue that is not helping its case. That's 40-75 usable range on the table when I get gas and its irritating.

Fast forward to today, and with my 12.5 gallon LRA aux tank. I'm in nirvana with 500 mile range. 12.5 gallons doesn't feel like a lot, but it's a full 66% expansion in usable capacity. Many times, I feel like it's time to get gas as it's been awhile, yet I still have plenty of gas left. Road trips are no longer pock marked with gas stops, sometime 2-3 times a day. It's now once a day or every other day that I have to think about gas on a trip! My stops are where I'd like to visit or have lunch, rather than another gas stop and bio break at a dirty station.

This has gone a huge way to making me no longer feel like my vehicle is a gas monger.

Just don't get in line behind me at Costco as I fill 32+ gallons of fuel.

 

[coleAK]

From my use and ownership of multiple sizes of SUVs and 2 generations of Land Cruisers, having a 16mpg 3200 lb car and 87 mpg-e EV in the garage, I'm no more satisfied or unsatisfied with the gas efficiency of the 200-series. It's just right for what it is. Which is a giant fat tired 6200lb, hugely capable land bruiser. I didn't buy it for MPG efficiency.

I'll note that it's more powerful AND more efficient compared to the '06 LX470 100-series I had.

Where this latest 200-series has gone wrong IMO is perceived mpg inefficiency. Due specifically to the need to get gas too often. Because of the too conservative fuel gauge and remaining range-o-meter.

The 200-series has the same 25.4 gallon tank as my 100-series. Even though the 100-series actually got worse MPG in my use, the 200-series "feels" worse. I keep gas logs. I use to fill my 100-series 20-22 gallons regularly. Whereas the conservative 200-series gauges causes me to fill regularly at 18-20 gallons. Even as I consciously compensate for the gauges conservative nature.

In a thirsty full size SUV, it causes me to live at the pump and feel like I get terrible gas mileage. This is a completely contrived perception issue that is not helping its case. That's 40-75 usable range on the table when I get gas and its irritating.

Fast forward to today, and with my 12.5 gallon LRA aux tank. I'm in nirvana with 500 mile range. 12.5 gallons doesn't feel like a lot, but it's a full 66% expansion in usable capacity. Many times, I feel like it's time to get gas as it's been awhile, yet I still have plenty of gas left. Road trips are no longer pock marked with gas stops, sometime 2-3 times a day. It's now once a day or every other day that I have to think about gas on a trip! My stops are where I'd like to visit or have lunch, rather than another gas stop and bio break at a dirty station.

This has gone a huge way to making me no longer feel like my vehicle is a gas monger.

Just don't get in line behind me at Costco as I fill 32+ gallons of fuel.

The distance to empty calculation with 20% remaining is the only thing I hate about my LX. The Only thing. You had to move the spare though for the Aux tank, Correct?

 

[09LX570]

09 570, 320-330 kms before I really need to pump the gas. typical 19 l/ 100 km

 

[molanginaeda]

Don’t mod your 200. That’s how you can get better mpg. My stock LC can get 20+ mpg on highway.

But then, I will be driving a boring SUV. For now, i’ll enjoyed the stock form with better mpg. I’ll mod the LC200 as trail/Overland rig next.

 

[Just a Ninja]

When I bought my '13 LC I immediately turned around drove it 5 hours home. Bone stock truck. I got 17.8 mpg on 100% highway driving on the way home. Now that I've had it home a while, I usually get about 12-13 in town depending on how much I smash the go-peddle. Working on scheduling the extended range fuel tank installation as my first REAL modification before I do a lift/tires/roof rack/sliders. After all that I should be getting about 5 mpg but whatever.... lol.

 

[TeCKis300]

The distance to empty calculation with 20% remaining is the only thing I hate about my LX. The Only thing. You had to move the spare though for the Aux tank, Correct?

Negative. Spare is in the same location. Just hangs about ~.75" lower. Which I don't love as my 305 spare already hangs ~1" lower. For a stock or 285 width spare, it's a non-issue.

 

[coleAK]

Negative. Spare is in the same location. Just hangs about ~.75" lower. Which I don't love as my 305 spare already hangs ~1" lower. For a stock or 285 width spare, it's a non-issue.

Thank you very much. Seems like a good project for this spring.

 

[littlegreenmonster]

I rotate back and forth daily driving my 80 and my 200. I will throw the 40 in the mix when it gets back on the road. My 80 gets 12mpg no matter what on 285/75/16’s. 200 was getting 14.5 in town and 19 on the highway until I put 275/70/18 KO2’s on it. Now I get 13.5 in town and 15 on highway. I tend to have a heavy foot.

Like many of you, I wish the fuel economy was better, but I only drive 29 miles a day. I feel that too many newer trucks are giving up too much durability/reliability for the sake of mpg’s. There is no excuse however for Toyota not giving the LC a larger fuel tank. It has been a known issue/complaint since the 40 series yet they still give it a thimble for a fuel tank.

I am interested to see how practical the Rivian is when it comes to market. I would really like to have one if it is truly capable and practical. Not because of efficiency however but due to the power delivery from the electric motors.

With regards to EV’s in general there is a big miss conception as to how environmentally friendly they are. Currently electricity production produces more air pollution than transportation. Shifting to electric cars only works if there is a major shift in the way we produce electricity, otherwise it arguably makes the issue worse(plus the whole battery disposal issue). Unfortunately the power production shift to greener technologies isn’t happening fast enough yet. People in cities don’t see it this way because power plants can be 100’s of miles away and they don’t see the effects of them, only the auto emissions.

I like guns, trucks, beer, and trees.