Just to show you how important aerodynamics is...

[whitenoise]

Reality can trip up the most logical argument @krice118 . If the fuel pickup tube isnt all the way at the bottom or the tank shape basically allows sloshing so the pickup runs dry from time to time, you wont be able to use those 5 gallons. I thought you might have actually tested the range after the light came on.

So I was intrigued by this and recently tested fuel tank capacity by slow filling the tank. The Miles Remaining indicator showed 5 miles. The auto-stop on the gas station filler nozzle tripped at 22.5 gallons. I was able to get 26.5 gallons in there to the brim. Around town I get about 11-11.5 mpg, so with this amount of fuel I was able to go 300 miles before filling up again with 26.6 gallons.

 

[reznunt]

With the number of times I have to take that damn plate on and off to do work, it's not worth the trouble to gain a fraction of an MPG that I will otherwise never notice unless I'm looking at a spreadsheet/graph that proves it to be true.

 

[krice118]

So I was intrigued by this and recently tested fuel tank capacity by slow filling the tank. The Miles Remaining indicator showed 5 miles. The auto-stop on the gas station filler nozzle tripped at 22.5 gallons. I was able to get 26.5 gallons in there to the brim. Around town I get about 11-11.5 mpg, so with this amount of fuel I was able to go 300 miles before filling up again with 26.6 gallons.

Dont overfill you tank, read here about messing up the charcoal canister in some years of 100s.

 

[JB2004LC]

Just as a reference...when I owned my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (most unaerodynamic vehicle I can think of), I was told by someone in the know that Jeep pulled the side door mirrors way in when designing the vehicle because the mirrors alone in their original position cost 1+ mpg. That is pretty crazy to think.

 

[OregonB]

Just did a 800 mile trip, I got about 270 miles/tank with a very heavy foot @ 70-80 mph+/-. I have about 500 lbs of bumpers, sliders, rack. Twice I ran it down to < 5 miles left on the trip info screen, there was maybe .2 gals left in the tank ea time. I have put 5-10 miles extra after trip info reads zero, your own experience may differ, ha.

 

[whitenoise]

Dont overfill you tank, read here about messing up the charcoal canister in some years of 100s.

Thank you for the heads up @krice118 ! I read up a little on it and it looks like a VVTi motor issue to me? I have a 03.

 

[KFunk740]

Hmmm, I need to figure out if I'm missing mine. I need to find some pics of the stock setup. I've changed oil in motor, all diffs, dropped trans pan, greased driveshafts, all without having to remove any plastic shields. Does that seem right?
I know there's a metal skid plate towards the front, which I started to remove at some point and I broke off the first bolt, and decided screw it, don't really need to remove that right now. I also have a weird little piece of metal under the center diff, hard to see how it would do much.
Currently averaging 12 to 13MPG on my 10 mile commute on twisty backroad. An improvement would be nice. Not sure where I can find the splashpan if I'm missing it, shipping won't be cheap.

 

[KFunk740]

OK, looking some more, appears I may be missing this guy, the 'rear splash pan.' Is this the one you took off and put back? Not talking about the front metal one? Seems its not cheap, but by my math you got about 2MPG increase by putting it back. I'd hate to spend much on one, but that would certainly help me out. Looks like CruiserParts has them for 250
5142060010 Genuine Toyota COVER, ENGINE UNDER, NO.2 51420-60010 | eBay

 

[TokenSki3r]

EDIT: Never mind, saw the above post after i wrote this. Thanks!

Does anyone know the part number for the plastic cover? I just checked and mine is missing.

I initially thought it was PN 5144360170, but after a bit more research, it looks like it could also be PN 5142060010, which is a hell of a lot more expensive.

 

[RyanStl]

I took my plastic and metal plate off a couple years ago and never noticed difference in calculated MPGs or trip meter readings. I figure a brick is a brick. However, my Subaru XV lost 2 MPGs because of a roof basket, but that car is more aerodynamic and a basket acts like a sail.

 

[KFunk740]

If you’re happy with taking it off, will you sell it to me? Hah. I’m not convinced enough yet, nor ready or able to shell out $250+ For one. I want to keep my eye out for a cheaper used one. Shipping will be pricey, though.

 

[MuseChaser]

Heard all the horror stories about the lousy mileage these great vehicles got, and bought one anyway expecting the worst. Got 17.6 mpg (calculated) from the dealer in southern NJ to my home near Syracuse, NY on the ride home, 18.12 on the way to Ohio to pickup a used RTT, and 17.4 on the way home w/ the 175 lb tent in the car, not on it. All stock, no add-on bumpers or extra weight other than me, my wife (total about 300 pounds.. I'll let you figure out how it's divided), a small suitcase, and the tent on the way home. I couldn't have been more shocked.

Around town, yeah, we're 13-14mpg. Still, it takes regular gas, so cost per mile is about the same as wife's ML500 which gets 15 around town, 20 highway, but takes high test. Yet another pleasant surprise about the LX470... lovin' it more every day! Now, gotta figure out how to get our mpg down to the usual levels. Roof rack, tent on top, and new front bumper should do it, eh?

 

[jay3253]

My last trip from PA to Iowa I got 17.9mpg driving 65 the whole time. I used my ScanGauge and calculated. My speedo is off by 3% though compared to GPS and my ScanGauge. I got 400+ miles on two different tanks and was VERY happy about it. I don't think the belly pan or engine cover or skid plate whatever you would call it made very little difference. I have thought about putting an air dam on the front that is removable so when I'm off-road I have plenty of approach angle. That would help a lot more than any skid plate, that is the part the manufacturers have added to improve mpg of large trucks and SUVs.

 

[Manhattan]

I have thought about putting an air dam on the front that is removable so when I'm off-road I have plenty of approach angle.

I like the idea. Jeep actually did that a while back - for a few years (2005-2008 I think), the Jeep Grand Cherokee had a removable air dam. I always thought that was pretty slick.

 

[RyanStl]

If you’re happy with taking it off, will you sell it to me? Hah. I’m not convinced enough yet, nor ready or able to shell out $250+ For one. I want to keep my eye out for a cheaper used one. Shipping will be pricey, though.

I had intended to put it all back on, but haven't gotten around to it. I need to find a replacement for the foam gasket, but haven't put any effort into it. At one point I was going to replace all the bolts because they were a bit rusty. When I took it to the Toyo dealer to get them replaced the guy took a look and said they weren't worth replacing and new ones would look like the ones I had in a year.

 

[sammybones]

If you’re worried about gas mileage post it up in the classifieds and buy a Prius

 

[geanes]

^^This^^

Smiles Per Gallon is all that matters to me and I can't wipe the ridiculous grin I get off my face every time I drive my LX.

 

[Bull Moose 100]

50 miles traveling at 60 mph with brief slow downs to 35 mph in towns with no skid plate and a rear receiver tray loaded up with an inflatable boat and cooler and the interior loaded with camping gear, I got 20.5 mpg. This beats my old record of 19.5 mpg with the skid plate attached and no tray on the rear receiver. Both times I had a nasty cross wind. This is on a 2003 LX470 with 250k miles and 100% synthetic AMSOIL fluids everywhere except the engine oil which is 6 quarts mobile 1 and 1 quart AMS oil signature series. I have some fairly lame Michelin tires on it and as you can see at 81 F, this is with summer gas. This drive involves going up and down lots of hills along the north shore of Lake Superior in Northern Minnesota.

20.5 x 26 = 533 miles per tank.

With a canoe on top of the truck, I get only 16.5 mpgs on this drive.

 

[Bull Moose 100]

Here is a picture of the proof

 

[KraziAzn]

So jealous. 10 City & 12-13HWY for me... 33" and a 2.5inch lift.