GX - 1st Gen (2004-2009) Discussion topics related to the 2003 -2009 GX470 models
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Old 04-15-13, 05:32 AM
  #91  
oardila99
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Originally Posted by 06isDriver
Yeah, We got 1 mpg better on non ethanol which wasnt enough to justify spending the extra 40 cents a gallon. Our ethanol mpg was 15-15.5 and it would have had to get 17+ mpg for it to pay off....which i did not.

But then again, I am carrying around an extra 1000lbs of armor, recovery gear, and tires which dropped our mpg from 18 to 15 to begin with. Eh.....oh well. Its not that big enough of a mpg gallon jump or drop to overly concern yourself with it all.

Just drive your GX and enjoy it!!!
I filled up with non-ethanol 87 octane fuel once in a trip and it significantly improved my fuel economy by about 3 mpg highway. This is significant when filling up because it can allow you to roll more than 60 extra miles per tank. In the end.. this may actually make financial sense.

A few months later I found a non-ethanol gas station in East Orlando (way past Alafaya, heading east for those that know the area). They only sold 89 octane, so I went and filled up, and to my surprise..... NO MPG DIFFERENCE!!!!!! I hihgly believe that these filthy bastards may have been selling regular gas, advertising it and billing it as non-ethanol! I wonder if these gas stations are regulated to prevent this!

Bottom line, fuel economy does increase with non-ethanol gas. Just make sure it's real non-ethanol gas.


Cheers.
Old 11-23-13, 12:09 PM
  #92  
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I finally broke 13mpg, 13.10mpg to be exact. The GX computer showed an avg. of 14.2mpg.

I'm not complaining but I have not:
  • changed my driving style (drive it like I stole it)
  • changed my tire(s) pressure (40psi. all around)
  • changed my driving route (all city)
  • changed the gas station I use (Chevron)
  • changed the grade of gas I use (87 octane)
  • and for the most part I have not changed what day I fill up on (Thurs - Sat)
Over the past 2 months I've noticed my mpg has been steadily rising which is weird because winter-blended gas is supposed to be worse on mileage. I also noticed that gas prices had been declining at the station I use over the past few months too. As of two weeks ago it was at it's lowest it's been in a long time at $3.10 a gallon for 87 octane; two weeks later it's back up to $3.25 a gallon for 87 octane.
Old 11-23-13, 02:02 PM
  #93  
redrocks
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Originally Posted by RCsGX
I finally broke 13mpg, 13.10mpg to be exact. The GX computer showed an avg. of 14.2mpg.

I'm not complaining but I have not:
  • changed my driving style (drive it like I stole it)
  • changed my tire(s) pressure (40psi. all around)
  • changed my driving route (all city)
  • changed the gas station I use (Chevron)
  • changed the grade of gas I use (87 octane)
  • and for the most part I have not changed what day I fill up on (Thurs - Sat)
Over the past 2 months I've noticed my mpg has been steadily rising which is weird because winter-blended gas is supposed to be worse on mileage. I also noticed that gas prices had been declining at the station I use over the past few months too. As of two weeks ago it was at it's lowest it's been in a long time at $3.10 a gallon for 87 octane; two weeks later it's back up to $3.25 a gallon for 87 octane.

Less use of A/C?
Old 11-23-13, 02:56 PM
  #94  
RCsGX
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Originally Posted by redrocks
Less use of A/C?
Nope, it's still 80°+ w/ 60%+ humidity. Anytime I'm driving I have the a/c on.
Old 11-24-13, 02:17 PM
  #95  
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Just a data point from today that I thought was interesting.

I drove 100mi each way out to our cabin. Same traffic each way. On the way out, I had my 18" Lexus GX460 rims on, with my Michelin AT/2 tires. Very heavy, but great looking.
I swapped to my 17" OEM rims w/Michelin X-Ice tires for winter. Much lighter setup, and the X-Ice seem to have lower rolling resistance.

On the way out, Gas mileage: 18.9
On the way back, Gas mileage: 21.1

I was going faster on the way back, and stopped at a store. Plus the 17s were running 5psi less pressure (30 vs 35). I was pretty surprised by the difference.

Net: weight and rolling resistance really matter. Even on a tank like ours.
Old 11-24-13, 03:07 PM
  #96  
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Originally Posted by RCsGX
I also noticed that gas prices had been declining at the station I use over the past few months too. As of two weeks ago it was at it's lowest it's been in a long time at $3.10 a gallon for 87 octane; two weeks later it's back up to $3.25 a gallon for 87 octane.
Drove by my station today and it's $3.39. It rose $0.14 since in two days!! Looks like it'll be back up to around $4.00 by Christmas.
Old 11-24-13, 08:51 PM
  #97  
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My last tank was 10.5mpg (US gallons) city driving, I'm using command start in the mornings these days, and it's killing the fuel economy. Oh well.
Old 11-24-13, 09:27 PM
  #98  
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I know it's a fullsize SUV, but was hoping it'd be a little bit better than that... reading this thread is somewhat disheartening as I really like these things...

Originally Posted by RCsGX
Drove by my station today and it's $3.39. It rose $0.14 since in two days!! Looks like it'll be back up to around $4.00 by Christmas.
LOL! Still MUCH cheaper than your Canadian neighbors... I love filling up in the US when I go down there! It's dirt cheap!

https://www.fuelly.com/driver/01lexpl/es300 Feel free to see what my [not even entire year] costs...
Old 03-21-18, 07:39 AM
  #99  
TomTom2005
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Depending on how serious you are about reducing fuel consumption and how much money you’re willing to throw at it, there are only a couple of things that will really help significanly. Over inflating tires, taping off panel gaps, air filters, exhaust and fuel additives will only do so much.

The main fuel saving techniques:

1. Weight reduction is free, but for significant results you’ll need to pull out hundreds of lbs. 3rd row seats, sound deadening, carpet, spare, etc...

2. Water injection can be used to increase mpg. There really aren’t any plug and play kits I have seen but it would be really interesting to see a write up with cost and before and after data.

3. A low pressure turbo system can theoretically increase mpg if you stay out of the power. I haven’t seen any kits for this either that are bolt on but it certainly would be cool.

4. I would say areo but in town it does nothing and realistically it’s pretty hard to make a brick shaped SUV areodynamic.
Old 03-21-18, 09:52 AM
  #100  
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Fuel economy is an oxymoron when it comes to the GX
Old 09-10-18, 04:05 PM
  #101  
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Bringing this up.

2006 GX470 166k Miles.

My mpg ranges from 14.9-16.66 mpg so far...

With 75% freeway (driving 65mph no traffic) and 25 city (traffic)... i got 16.66 mpg average out of the whole tank.

Leaving late to work results in me taking inside street due to traffic.. this means 85% street and 15% freeway... i get mid 14's

all in all the GX sucks when it comes to MPG.. but its a pleasure to drive so enjoy it I am currious what my MPG will be like now for longer road trips since i recently cleaned the MAF....

**all mpg averages were hand calculated not computer-**
Old 09-10-18, 05:46 PM
  #102  
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New O2 sensors may restore the original fuel economy. They have an end life even though they have not failed to the point of setting off the engine check light.
Old 09-10-18, 08:09 PM
  #103  
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The fleet average on Fuelly for the GX470 is right around 16mpg, so you're in the ballpark.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/lexus/gx470

Chip H.
Old 09-12-18, 12:16 PM
  #104  
BHbass59
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Originally Posted by chiph9
The fleet average on Fuelly for the GX470 is right around 16mpg, so you're in the ballpark.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/lexus/gx470

Chip H.
This corresponds with my experience on new to me 03: just finished 2 camping trips pulling a 4,000 lb trailer with some good-sized hills, avg for both trips just under 13. Around town its closer to 16 or 17.
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