Mikehrom

I leased a new RX 300 in Feb 2001, since that time I have averaged between 16.9 and 17.1 MPG (highway 75%/rural-city 25%).
The Lexus service person told me that the 18-22 Gov't fuel use estimate was not correct....he stated that the actual should be 16-24 MPG. (So my 16.9 MPG is correct) I really expected 20 MPG. The Lexus service folks checked the vehicles' computer system twice and found everything working correctly. Anyone else experiencing this "low" gas mileage?

Daddy-O

Mikehrom,

Welcome to ClubLexus. We've all heard the expression, "Your mileage may vary". After reading your post and using your description, "highway 75%/rural-city 25%", I can tell you my RX 300 runs at 22.5 MPG in those conditions...I have actually achieved 26.9 MPG on a tank of gas on highway trips where I was running on at 60-64 MPH on 55 MPH state highways.

It's all about your pedal work. Top speed on the highway? My experience shows that speeds over 78MPH can drop mileage drastically in the RX 300.

More info at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml

Smooth acceleration and braking will increase mileage dramatically. Add to that Cruise control usage and you're in the groove.

I performed a search on the term "mileage" and under search options, chose the RX 300 Forum. We have a great search engine on ClubLexus.

Here's the results:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sea...der=descending

Again, welcome...Feel free to look around, ask questions and contribute.

bob2200

I agree with Paddy Wagon's comments. I also think that FWD vs. 4WD is a factor. Have you checked tire pressure?

I have a new FWD RX300 and recently got 29 mpg, without using air conditioning, on an 800 mile interstate highway trip. I get about 20 mpg in everyday suburban driving. I'm probably a very easy accelerating driver.

Bob

Daddy-O

Gee, Bob...

You registered on ClubLexus 2 weeks before me.

You have 5 posts. I have 850. C'mon Bob, testify!

Post more. The RX forum can always use your input.

29 MPG? Wow...I'm confident I can make 27+. Especially if I catch a draft from some fellow drivers.

bob2200

Paddy Wagon,

Is your RX300 FWD or 4WD? I should also mention that, in addition to being a FWD model, I don't have any extra wind resistance from a moonroof, top carrier bars, or rear spoiler. I don't know if this reduced wind resistance makes a fractional difference in highway mileage or not.

Daddy-O

I'm FWD...Wanted AWD, but Lexus wouldn't dicker as hard on the AWD. I made a fair offer, but no luck. I offered the same percentage mark-up on the FWD and they bit. Go figure.

I remove the accessory crossbars now and then. Usually when I wax the roof, I'll leave them off for a week or two, aply another layer of wax and re-install. I added a spoiler after a couple months of ownership, and haven't seen any reduction in mileage, and my back window is generally cleaner.

No moonroof? Did you bring this in from another country?
I've not seen an RX 300 in the US w/o a moonroof. It's so
flush w/ the roof, I don't think it would affect MPG.

bob2200

I guess we're getting off topic, but to answer your questions; I bought the car locally as a special order. It's not super-spartan in that I got the Premium Package and CD Changer.

I've seen several non-sunroof RX300s up in the Baltimore MD area, so maybe a dealer up there orders them that way. I haven't seen another one with a "completely bald" top like mine yet. I like to be different and like the look. Also, I haven't seen an RX300 with fabric seats.

I'll have to take some pictures and post them when I get a chance.

spinteews

wow, thats crazy, i thought all rx3's have moon roofs....

Mikehrom

Bob:

I have an AWD RX 300....29 MPG sounds great... 20 MPG suburban is what I expected. What grade of fuel are you using? I'm using "regular"....87 octane. Since my vehicle "acts" sluggish during acceleration I think I'll take it back to the dealer and complain again....something is wrong...17 MPG is too low.

Also, I expect to take delivery on an IS 300 this week...hope the MPG is better.

Regards,

Mike

Daddy-O

Better mileage is usually in the right foot.

Any add-ons, like running boards, that add extra weight?
What's in the cargo area?
AWD adds a 209 pounds.
Rated 18/22 mpg city/highway

IS 300? Rated 18/25 mpg city/highway.

JJ_BPK

Hi All,

I don't know if this will help or not but I have had my RX3 2002 for about 8 weeks. At the 1K check I was getting 21.6, now at 2.5k miles it's up to 21.8mph. I live on an island, max speed 35mph, most trips less than 10 miles. I use the speed control even at 25mph. I get up to the mainland about every two to three weeks. I have had three trips so far, 300 miles average, most at turnpike speed(65-75). I use the cheep stuff (87oct), average price $1.599.

I do have a Moon Roof and took the roof rack off as soon as we got home, and no spoiler.

Jim
An Old Parrot Head
In the Conch Republic,
Just South of Reality

Daddy-O

JJ,

Welcome to ClubLexus. I hope you're enjoying your RX 300.

Say "hey!" to the Honorable Sir Peter Anderson from all of us other RX owners.

bob2200

I use regular-unleaded (87 octane), including my epic trip to the Catskill Mountains and back when I got the great milage, with air conditioning off.

I don't know, since I haven't had my RX300 that long, but I would think that use of the air conditioning could drop milage 1 mpg or more (all things being equal like windows closed in both cases).

It was mentioned on Click and Clack (the PBS-radio auto show) last week, if I recall, that skipping a cog on the valve timing belt can lower car milage (as well as increasing engine noise). This sounds pretty unlikely, but worth checking out if all else fails.

mooretorque

Mike, wifey gets 17.1 mpg over 48k (mostly city) miles in her 99 AWD with LSD. The AWD will feel a little sluggish off the line until about 3000 rpm, compared to the FWD RX. That's what that extra 200# will do and that's also where you really take the mileage hit, since there is a strong tendency to use more right foot to overcome that slightly lethargic feeling.

Paddy Wagon is absolutely correct; mileage "problems" for a given vehicle usually reside in the right foot. And I wouldn't rely on EPA mileage figures for anything more than comparison with other vehicles. Over the lifetime of the use of those numbers, drivers have usually seen about 5-10% worse mileage for "city" driving than what's published on the sticker.

whitels

My wifey's getting 21.8 mpg commuting 50 miles roundtrip to work, 80% freeway (60mph 30% of the time and 30mph 70% of the time due to peak hour traffic condition) and 20% city (35mph). It is FWD with spoiler and roof rack. The A/C is always set on AUTO at 74 degrees. She's not the smoothest driver and coasting to a stop is not her masterpiece. But she's not a pedal to the metal driver either.

The RX now has 21,000 miles. She was getting about 20.5 when it was brand new.

Tire pressure is 33 front and 32 rear on Goodyears. I use Mobil 1 engine oil and 87 octane gas.