What is everyone's average gas mileage? (The Mother thread)
#170
Intermediate
In tip top shape the LS430 definitely gets better mileage then advertised. You boys out in CA have only 91 octane and tons of ethanol everywhere. Ethanol also reduces the octane level. I'm telling you, if you don't think octane matters on a high compression LS430 engine try filling up like I said. 93 + Lucas fuel treatment or an octane boost. Not only will the car feel more responsive and powerful but you will get excellent mileage vs regular fuel. The more the timing can advance due to the computer not detecting any knock the more efficient the motor will be. My LS400 was the same way. These engines love higher octane fuel.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...great-mpg.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...great-mpg.html
Ethanol RAISES the octane level.
But it has less energy density. The rest is spot-on.
#173
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: MD
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I'm getting around 18-20 mpg during the winter months and increases slightly during the summer to about 21-22 mpg. I will change the MAF and air filter in May. Thoughts on the changing the spark plugs (haven't done that yet).
#174
#176
I average around 21 mpg with around 70% city/30% highway driving, but I don't live in a congested area with bumper to bumper traffic.
During the summer months my mileage dips down 1-2mpg as I have the AC usually running full tilt.
During the summer months my mileage dips down 1-2mpg as I have the AC usually running full tilt.
#179
For what it's worth, I use my iphone calculator and not the car's computer when coming up with my gas mileage figures. My car almost never goes on the highway and idles endlessly with the a/c on. For me the horrendous gas mileage in the very low teens is a small sacrifice for the overall comfort and reliability.
#180
Instructor
When I'm in a hurry, I'll get 14mpg in-city. When I'm not in a rush and with light traffic in-city, I'll get 18mpg. I get 26mpg on the highway. I leave the 2 climate control buttons always on Auto, meaning the AC is always on when it is above -5C. I always use Top Tier gas - recently switched to Shell V-Power 91 from Petro-Canada 91. I am seeing a slight improvement in fuel economy after switching to V-Power.
This weekend, I did a 532km mostly highway roundtrip on Costco (Top Tier) Premium, got 10.0L/100km (23.52mpg). Sunny clear dry weather, lots of wide-open-throttle passing people, 120+km/h average speed.
Did the same 532km roundtrip the night I got back, this time on Shell (Top Tier) Nitro+ V-Power 91 (0% ethanol). Dark, snowy/rainy, barely any passing, 90-100km/h average speed, got 9.3L/100km (25.29mpg)
Tires always inflated to 33.0psi, always synthetic 5W-30 with the original 90915-20004
oil filters every 8000kms. Original spark plugs, coolant temp sensor, thermostat, PCV valve (cleaned PCV once, a few months ago), ignition coils, pretty much every part relevant to mileage is original. B2S1 O2 sensor was changed 6 years / 55000km ago due to DTC P0155, all other O2 sensors are original.
Transmission fluid changed 8 years / 79000km ago, rear differential oil changed 4.4 years / 42000km ago. Engine air filter changed every 48000km per factory spec (engine air filters work BETTER as they get dirtier, up until the airflow rate becomes insufficient).
The 2002 LS430 Canadian brochure official mileage number is 8.8L/100km highway (26.73mpg). I have never seen the Tank Average readout go that low over any distance. I'm guessing you have to reset the average as soon as you get on the highway, and do exactly 100km/h on a perfectly level straight road with no traffic. 5W-20 might help slightly, but that was not a usable spec until March 29, 2006 (EG006-06).
City-only driving, I get 14-15L/100km (15.7-16.8 mpg)
Last edited by StanVanDam; 10-26-16 at 11:59 AM. Reason: Added in-city numbers