ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

Well as you guys know, after I did all the mods last 2 weeks, it was time for my 2500 mile trip. Did the trip from LA to Chicago, with few stops in between.

Car has new timing belt, full radiator flush, new water pump, all new idler pulleys, new drive belt, new cams, gaskets, oil change, all new filters, new plugs, wires, rotors, distributors, blah blah.

As always only used 91.

First tank 450 miles
LA to PHX, windows up, antennae down, sunroof closed, no AC, 116 degrees 26.2 MPG. This tank had some bumper to bumper traffic getting into AZ for about 1 hour, because of construction. Cruise control used as much as possible speed set at 80mph

Second tank
PHX to Flagstaff/Payson. Lots of construction, lots of elevation changes. Tried setting cruise at 80, but got cut of by lots of trucks going up hill, thus car used a lot of downshift to get back up to speed.
Temps were 94, no AC, windows closed, antennea down, sunroof closed.
worst mpg on the trip=23.8

Third tank
All the way to Amarillo TX through NM. Some elevation changes, few places at 55mph, no stopping. Used cruise at 78mph, no AC, windows closed, antennea down, sunroof closed.
26.3 mpg

Fourth Tank
Amarillo TX to OK
I did half tank on front passenger window half day down, rear drivers window half way down. Next half tank was full AC on, low speed, 65 degrees. Antennae up and sunroof tilt half tank.
26.6 MPG

Fifth tank
This tank got me the best MPG of 26.8, full steady at 80mph cruise, never had to touch the breaks (through OK/MO), window closed, antennae down, sunroof closed, but AC on.

Wanted to share some real world data on a full trip. Have some pictures, will upload in a few days.

Only one day did a full 16 hour day, and it wasn't bad at all, seats are lot better than my Lotus

steveski

Pretty impressive for a V8 with nearly 300HP! I have been averaging 22 to 24MPG per tank lately with A/C on during Houston Summer. 2,500 miles in the LS - I bet even with your Megan's and plus wheels it was comfy

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I was very happy with the MPG. Wheels/coilovers didn't make any difference. Still felt like a luxurious boat

Had to mention there was about 180 lbs of stuff in the trunk/rear seats + passenger.

It was a lot comfier than my 5500 mile trip in the Lotus last year, but that got a lot of attention, while it was nice to fly under the radar in the LS

damon

Damn!! No AC??? Did you live in Dubai or train there???

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

I have lived in Dubai for a significant part of my life. Yes was trying to be "hardcore" and do no AC for a significant part of the trip.

I did it to know how much gas if any would be saved with ac vs no ac.

steveski

Funny Myth Busters did a segment that showed no significant difference. However I see a 1-2MPG difference using A/C

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

I always thought AC uses up gas. But if you look at my objective 2500 mile trip, you will notice 26.8 was achieved with AC on.

Still I am a cheap guy, I don't use unless I am fainting, and can't take it anymore

KilaWombat

iTrader: (1)

no a/c?? haha

damon

Pretty impressed with your mpg figures & your dedication!

nthach

I was able to get nearly 26mpg on a Tahoe run - Toyota has done one hell of a job making the 1UZ more efficent than its Mercedes M116/M117 and BMW V8 competitors. We had a 420SEL, it was barely better than an H2 MPG-wise.

LexLS

Impressive figures, good job

Consumer Reports has also said that using your AC at highway speeds doesn't take any extra gas.

dashan

What are the weights of LS and W116?

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the kudos guys. Yup using AC in stop and go traffic is another matter.

But now that I am in the midwest, using AC is a must with a high humidity.

Interesting to see when you turn on the AC in the midwest, there is literally "smoky air" coming from the vents. Will post pics

nthach

I'm referring to the 1UZ-FE and Mercedes M116/M117 3.8/4.2/5.0/5.6L V8s. chassis-wise, i'd bet the W126/W140 S-Class weighed a good 2.5-2.75 tons!

cjmeyer

Wow!No A/c !Must be a new kind of diet