ml30306

I own a 2004 Lexus ES330, ca. 120,200 miles now. I purchased the car about 3 years ago, after filling up I used to get a distance of about 280-290 miles on the dashboard display. For the last year it has declined, it now shows about 230-240 miles. Why ist that? How accurate is the electronic display calculation?

As part of regular maintenance I have now done the following (all DIY):

- New spark plugs
- New PCV valve
- Cleaned throttle body
- New air filter
- Cleaned MAF sensor

Any other recommendations to improve the gas mileage?

VicSWFL

Greetings:

It's quite possible that your mileage has not changed at all. I have a very gently used 2003 ES300 with 104,000 miles. I've been on two road trips in the past year and it's obvious to me that after a bit of higher mileage highway driving that the range figure increases when you fill up the tank. Similarly, it seems to decrease after a bit of city driving. The only way to accurately determine your gas mileage is to divide the actual miles driven by the gallons of gas used.

Good luck,

Vic
Fort Myers, Florida

ml30306

Thank you. True, that could be the case and I will check. Any other suggestions though on improving the mileage performance (excluding new tires, that is next either way)?

285exp

This is the correct answer. The range displayed is calculated using the fuel capacity, which does not change, and the weighted average fuel economy, which will change according to the type of driving you do and your driving style. The more city driving you do, the lower the weighted average fuel economy, so the estimated range when you fill up will be lower. The more highway miles you drive, the higher your average fuel economy will be, and the estimated range will rise. Before you spend any time or money fixing things that may or may not be broken, find out what actual mileage you are getting. Around town you should be getting in the high teens, on the highway the mid to high twenties, depending on your speed and terrain, and average combined around twenty.

ml30306

Thank you, makes sense.