Poor fuel economy?

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SICARIO

SICARIO

Joined
Oct 28, 2016
Threads
44
Messages
155
Location
Oregon
i just recently picked up a 2003 lx470. I seem to be getting lower than average mileage (11-12mpg). Driving is mixed hwy/city. Lx is bone stock except for larger tires 275/70/18, which changes the spedo 5.6%.

Is this what I should expect or are there things I could check or change to slightly improve mileage?

I haven't changed the fluids yet so I'm not sure what's in there. There's also a Chinese non oem air filter (not sure how much that will contribute).

I did quite a few searches on here and it seems like most are seeing 14-16mpg
 
I drove mine 700 miles last week for work, all on back roads where the speed limit was between 55-65. I was just having fun, not in a hurry, trying to see what kind of mileage I could get. I mean I was SUPER easy on it driving it like a stoned granny and got 12.8. Typically when I just drive it, mixed interstate and city I get 11.

You might see a small increase with an OEM parts only tune up, and hopefully you are adding in the additional 5.6% from speedo error to the 11-12 you are reporting.
 
I forgot about speedo correction. I was at just under 12 mpg last time I checked so I guess right at 12.5 is correct for my ride. But I do mostly city and am in no way light on my right foot.
 
I was adding the 5.6% to my mileage. I've also been very light on the pedal and running premium fuel.

I realize these don't get the best mileage and of course that's not why I bought it. Just wanted to make sure there's nothing I was missing.

I'll change the fluids and put an OEM air filter back in there and stop checking my trip odometer.....

Thanks for the input, this site is a wealth of knowledge.
 
It's never going to be "good" but I like keeping track tank to tank to make sure she's still running normal. Local only driving, low fuel light comes on at about 275 miles and I'll stretch it to 300ish before I refuel and almost consistantly fill 21 gallons... ~14mpg is my norm, always regular 87. This is up from when I bought it in May '16, first calculated fill was 11.5 city and first long hwy trip was 13.2. Felt a little sluggish but had nothing to compare it to. Figured heavy 4wd SUV, it is what it is. Changed all fluids, filters, did timing belt/waterpump, serpentine belt and tensioner and all pulleys, cleaned maf and throttle body, greased the driveshafts. Went through it pretty good in a short amount of time. Started using the engine harder and harder. More WOT acceleration and holding gears for high revs to work a lot of heat into the cats. The ol' girl woke up. Engine feels better, smoother, faster. All the driveline is working easier and better now. Banged out 15.8mpg on last long hwy trip over Thanksgiving, cruise control at 80. I'm sure If I slowed down, I'd pick up a little more, but damn, adding 2.5mpg is like an extra 50 miles of range. Hammer down!
 
Your mpg seems about right with the bigger tires. You should also consider winter blends in your gas. That will cause a slight reduction in MPG compared to the summer gas.

Stinks that you have to run premium. We are close to $.80 difference between 87 and 93 octane. I only run 87 so the cheaper price helps offset the horrible mpg.

I do like what JayM said, just don't check it! i used to watch the trip computer constantly during the first year of ownership, now I only peek at that screen once a month or so.
 
SICARIO said:
i just recently picked up a 2003 lx470. I seem to be getting lower than average mileage (11-12mpg). Driving is mixed hwy/city. Lx is bone stock except for larger tires 275/70/18, which changes the spedo 5.6%.

Is this what I should expect or are there things I could check or change to slightly improve mileage?

I haven't changed the fluids yet so I'm not sure what's in there. There's also a Chinese non oem air filter (not sure how much that will contribute).

I did quite a few searches on here and it seems like most are seeing 14-16mpg
Click to expand...

The speedo will be off by over 6.5% with that size tire. And, if the tires on it are heavy that affects mpg too. All in all, your mpg for December seems about right for mixed city/hwy.
 
If you're looking at gas mileage, you may have picked the wrong vehicle.

Driving in town I get ~12mpg in my LX. My son gets ~9mpg around town. If I drive his LC on my typical work route, I get ~12. Part of it may be driving style, but part of it is starts/stops/traffic/speed.

Both of our vehicles get 14-16 on the highway (more if it is babied and speeds are kept lower).
 
CurbsEnthusiasm said:
12.5 is the most MPG I ever get. Just picked up a non running 2005 Prius for $800, another $600 in battery repairs and I'll pay this off in fuel/depreciation savings from the LX in less then a year with my 45mpg average :).
Click to expand...


Funny that's my mix of vehicles for the exact reason 2001 LC and 2009 Prius (used to have a TSX) Prius offsets the LC fuel cost very well. I swear that thing sucks fuel off the ground, I park with one fuel line only to wake up the next morning to find two lines of fuel haha. I don't love driving it and I get no respect on the road but its a good commuter. I switch week on week off between the two vehicles dramatically decreases my fuel cost and millage on the LC.
 
I average about 16 with mostly highway driving (stock 04 w/119k). The most I've gotten out of a tank was 370 mi, when I filled up it took about 23 gallons or so. I use 87.
 
check your spark plugs. cheap mod, and plugs are often neglected.
 
I just drove down to Tampa FL: 1500 miles each way. The truck is stock with 165 75 16. At 80 MPH, I was getting 12.6 MPG and the highest I got was 13.9 MPG.
 
Just checked the service records. Plugs were not replaced at the 60k service. It has 115k on it now. I'll go ahead and replace them and see if that helps. Denso or NGK's (they're both in the manual)?
 
I bought denso platinum's at auto zone for like 2 dollars each.
 
I get 14-15 mpg local and 17+ mpg highway on my 2003 LC. 17-18 mpg local and 19-20 mpg on my 2013 Land Cruiser, I got 20-21 mpg hwy on my 2014 Tundra. I have always gotten better gas mileage than EPA estimates. YMMV
 
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