GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011) Discussion about the 2006+ model GS300, GS350, GS430, GS450H and GS460

ECT Snow On for Improved Mileage Experiment

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Old 06-13-08, 08:07 PM
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rwdds
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Thumbs up ECT Snow On for Improved Mileage Experiment

Just drove almost 400 miles today from Philly to Mt. Kisco, NY and back with the ECT Snow setting on. 95% interstate (NJTP/95, 287, Saw Mill Pkwy) averaged 82mph, so I was not driving modestly at all, just staying with traffic, not too aggressive. I maintained 26.7 mpg for the whole trip with 4 hours of city stop & go as well. AC on the whole time. Next time I will keep the speed to 65 and re-evaluate. Overall I am very pleased with this mileage and still one of the nicest looking cars on the road, IMHO.
Old 06-13-08, 10:22 PM
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rominl
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you should try to be without snow mode and do the same route at 82mph too, i bet the gas mileage is going to be more or less the same?
Old 06-13-08, 11:14 PM
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ReyRey305
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yeah I get about the same when I am driving from Miami to Orlando (about 240 miles) and I keep it on regular mode...
Old 06-14-08, 11:47 AM
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dunnojack
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note he's awd
Old 06-14-08, 12:31 PM
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True, I didn't notice it was AWD... Is it that much of a difference ?
Old 06-14-08, 04:31 PM
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mysteryan
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I was about to say, I get more than that when I do mostly highway on my GS300, but then I noticed you're AWD. Pretty impressive for AWD. I think generally the GS300 gets 2-3mpg better than the GS350. If you're AWD you lose about 1-1.5mpg. And if your A/C is always on, you lose about 1-1.5mpg too. Roughly.
Old 06-14-08, 09:00 PM
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rwdds
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For the AWD, that was better than the last time (stayed in normal mode), got about 24mi/gal, and drove a little slower. Even around atown now, I am getting improved mileage with ECT on.If it saves a couple of dollars, I think it's worth one switch press. Performance is reduced, so that may be a factor for some.
Old 06-16-08, 06:24 AM
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The G Man
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I would think the snow mode would not make much diff. on the highway since you are on top gear most of the time. In the city, the snow mode might save a few bucks, but then again, if I want to save a few bucks on gas, I would buy a Honda Civics
Old 06-16-08, 10:09 AM
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rominl
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Originally Posted by The G Man
I would think the snow mode would not make much diff. on the highway since you are on top gear most of the time. In the city, the snow mode might save a few bucks, but then again, if I want to save a few bucks on gas, I would buy a Honda Civics
the snow mode does retard the throttle response, so for those with heavy feet and don't know how to ease off on gas for better fuel efficiency, i can see how the snow mode can help. but again, if driven correctly in the normal mode, i don't think snow mode will help much
Old 06-16-08, 10:42 AM
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1989Lexus
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I drive from hartford ct, to boston ma all the time. I avg about 27.4 most of the time. I drive on normal mode and also I have a gs350 awd. If i used the snow mode would i save more gas?
Old 06-16-08, 03:41 PM
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mysteryan
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Originally Posted by The G Man
I would think the snow mode would not make much diff. on the highway since you are on top gear most of the time. In the city, the snow mode might save a few bucks, but then again, if I want to save a few bucks on gas, I would buy a Honda Civics
If you can save a few bucks on gas, why not? You're still driving the same Lexus, why not save some money on fuel if you could easily?
Old 06-16-08, 06:58 PM
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vladbph
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Originally Posted by rominl
the snow mode does retard the throttle response, so for those with heavy feet and don't know how to ease off on gas for better fuel efficiency, i can see how the snow mode can help. but again, if driven correctly in the normal mode, i don't think snow mode will help much
I didnt notice any change neither in driving or fuel economy. The only thing I do believe it starts from 2nd gear...
Old 06-18-08, 09:56 PM
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I8ABMR
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I tried the same thing and have noticed only a slight increase in fuel economy while driving city/highway. small = tenths of a mpg
Old 06-18-08, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by I8ABMR
I tried the same thing and have noticed only a slight increase in fuel economy while driving city/highway. small = tenths of a mpg
That's enough for margin of variability. Probably only work well with people with a heavy foot.
Old 06-24-08, 04:47 PM
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My brother has a 2006 Gs300 and he puts it on snow mode everyday. the best he got for avg is 37 miles per gallon... and he drives 65mph on cruise control on the freeway...



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