Just Got Good MPG

[hkeller]

Just returned from the trip to the beach. Before I left, I changed the oil (5w-30 - Mobil 1), dropped in a new air filter (Toyota), rotated the tires (stock) and inflated them to 35 psi. I normally run 29 front and 33 rear. I averaged 17.73 miles per gallon on the way down. This included spending about an hour in bumper to bumper traffic at about an average of 10 mph.

Considering that the rig was fully loaded, including a hitch packer on the rear, I thought that was darn good for this rig with 85,000 miles on it.

 

[iseibert]

I just returned from a 2500 mile trip in my 2001 LX, 50% of which I was towing a 3500 lb. trailer. Here are my results:

19.18mpg - 65mph, no a/c, not towing
17.28mpg - 65mph, with a/c, not towing
10.02mpg - 50mph, with a/c, towing in stop and go traffic
11.89mpg - 65mph, with a/c, towing

I recently did my 60K service including the full Mobil 1 treatment (engine oil, differentials,transfer case, and ATF). New Michellin tires inflated to 33 front and 35 rear for towing. Put a new set of spark plugs in because I read a few posts on the subject and decided to "explore". Once everything was exposed, I thought I might as well change them while I'm here.

I was pleased with the mileage even when towing considering the extra weight and overdrive was off.

 

[hkeller]

I'm thinking I could get 20 mpg, empty, a/c off and running 55-60 mph.

 

[e9999]

that's good


(but keep in mind that with one tank mpg calcs, you're at the mercy of the pump, outside temp, etc for potentially largish errors. )

 

[hkeller]

Dern Mod, you always messin' wit me.

Although, you make a good point.

 

[Martin White]

That is really good mpg. Not too far off 1HD-T diesel results at least under light load.

 

[jkelly65]

Surprised no one asked this question - were you using 87 octane, 93 octane, or something in between?

 

[iseibert]

My results were using 93 octane 100% of the time. I wasn't picky on the brand but always use premium to fill up.

All of the results were the average of at least two tanks of gas except for the 10mpg stop and go traffic, 1 tank. The almost 12mpg while towing was the average for 5 tanks.

 

[hkeller]

I was using 93. I was never convinced it was worth it the extra $$, but I am now a believer.

 

[NMuzj100]

I'm thinking I could get 20 mpg, empty, a/c off and running 55-60 mph.

If you have the patience for running at 1800 RPM then good mileage is really possible. Thats about 52 mph and I run it heading home from work when no one is on the road.

Store the 3rd row seats, roof bars, spare tire and the skid plates and you can really lighten up.

Not sure about how the taller tire pans out. Better gearing for efficiency at highway speeds but also a gain in wind resistance.

 

[EOS]

Had my 04 LX470, 5 passengers, lots of luggage and front and rear A/C on medium for most of the trip, did around 700 kms (420 miles), trip computer says averaged 13.5 L/100km or 17.42 mpg US Gallon or 21 MPG per imperial. I was travelling at 70-80 mph on the I-5. 92 Octane Chevron. Pretty darn good fuel economy.

On a trip 2 weeks ago with no A/C and 2 less passengers, mostly 65-70 mph cruising, fuel economy was even better at 18.8 MPG US Gallon or 22.6 MPG imperial on average. 92 octane Chevron.

Im 100% sure I can get 20 mpg US Gallon if I cruise at 60 mph with no A/C. The LX is so darn stable on the highway its hard not to hit 80 mph for long stretches at a time and at this speed, economy tanks.

 

[Real]

It must be the way I drive...

I don't know how you guys get that kind of mileage. I never get better than 14mpg driving highway with no payload and no trailer. I typically get 13.something mpg in my '01 LC. I have 275/70-16 AT KOs and everything else is stock. Maybe it's because I rarely drive slower than 75mph. Oh well, I didn't buy it for the fuel economy!

 

[Jim_Chow]

Had my 04 LX470, 5 passengers, lots of luggage and front and rear A/C on medium for most of the trip, did around 700 kms (420 miles), trip computer says averaged 13.5 L/100km or 17.42 mpg US Gallon or 21 MPG per imperial. I was travelling at 70-80 mph on the I-5. 92 Octane Chevron. Pretty darn good fuel economy.

On a trip 2 weeks ago with no A/C and 2 less passengers, mostly 65-70 mph cruising, fuel economy was even better at 18.8 MPG US Gallon or 22.6 MPG imperial on average. 92 octane Chevron.

Im 100% sure I can get 20 mpg US Gallon if I cruise at 60 mph with no A/C. The LX is so darn stable on the highway its hard not to hit 80 mph for long stretches at a time and at this speed, economy tanks.

Only problem is, the trip computer is always optimistic. You can get close if you gas up, immediately get on the intestate, and set the cruise if the interstate is flat. The way I calculate it is based on the amount of gas I add at fuel up time vs. the miles driven on the odometer. Average this over a few tanks to reduce the variance in the amount of fill up each time.

Still your numbers do sound similar to mine, as I also got 19.2 mpg last summer on two different 1600 mile trips (southern rockies and sangres in NM) w/ full gear. Cruise was set to 69-70mph except the occasional passing at 80mph, virtually all driving on the interstate or rural highways, A/C on low to medium. Tires are OEM-sized Bridgestone HT's, 33-34 psi, roof cross bars pushed all the way back, 5speed tranny, chevron 91. I think the max fuel economy would probably be around 20-20.5 mpg around 55mph on flat ground w/ no wind. Maybe it's the 5speed tranny?

 

[e9999]

usual mpg (US) with our 03, loaded on the freeway is around 17mpg (by memory), maybe 18, averaged over many hundreds of miles. Based on some calcs I recall, I think the computer was typically about 0.5 mpg too generous.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Anyone have any numbers on the rolling resistance of different models/makes of tires for the same size othere than heresay?

 

[fishin]

Mileage

I routinely average about 15.5 in mixed driving. I pulled a car hauler loaded with decorative cast cement stones yesterday. I was pulling right at 6,000 pounds across the state of MO from Joplin to St. Louis. I pulled it between 60 and 70 and averaged 10 mpg. All in all not too bad. It is comparable to other gas pickups and large SUVs.

Brett

 

[Pigeon]

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