Env_Engr

I have had my 2008 RX 350 for little over 4 weeks and I love it. However, I have been getting, on an average 17-18 mpg with a combined driving of City and freeway. It is 60% City and 40% freeway. I have seen posts on forums that some oweners are getting 21-23 mpg in City and 27-28 freeway mpg. I live about 2 miles away from work and there are numberous stop lights in between. I guess that may be a big factor in the low mpg that i have been getting. I have been trying to be as gentle as possible on the gas and I try to coast as much as I can. So, the low mpg is not due to hard driving.

The first tank of gas(came with the car...guess it is premium) lasted for about 275 miles before the low fuel light came on. The second tank of premium gas lasted only 265 miles befoer the low fuel light. When I re-fueled, it topped in about 16 gal. I know that the capcity is 19.2 gal but I guess the rest is reserve. Can anyone clarify what is the reserve capcity (when the low fuel light comes on) on a 2008 RX 350? Also, when you refuel the tank to its full capacity, what does the computer read-out say for "crusing range"? Some people on this forum have reported more than 300-350 miles but I never got to 300 anytime.

Has anyone experienced a "break-in" period for the new Rx 350 and mpg improved after running a certail mile marker?

RXSF

alrighty, where to start.

i have a 2004 RX330 AWD and it is rated one or two miles lower in highway than your RX350. anyways, for the past 4 years of ownership, i never saw the cruising range read anything higher than 275. it stayed around 270 on good tanks, and was as low as 250 when i would only run city on an entire tank.

my mpg avg according to the computer is anywhere from 13 mpg when my wifes drives it city only and up to 19 combined when i take it easy on both highway and city. you have to understand each person has their own circumstances. i live in san francisco so the hills are pretty killer, so are the stop lights, the stop signs, and the bad traffic. I imagine if i lived in a suburban area, where the stop lights have weight sensors, that i would be getting much higher.

when the light comes on, every lexus vehicle (according to lexus) has about 2 more gallons of gas. However, i have had the yellow light come on and then a fill up and it is no doubt more than 2 gallons. however, that light can come on faster if your going uphill, or w/e.

and yes, you are suppose to get better gas mileage after a break in.

btw, 17-18 is pretty darn good for an SUV.

oh i should also add that you should fill up your car at the quarter mark because anything lower will allow the gunk in your gas tank to reach closer to the filter.

jfelbab

My 04 RX got much better after a month or so. I suspect the transmission learned my driving style after the first 4-6 weeks. Here is what my MPG looks like. You can easily spot the extended highway trips I took in it. I have recorded every fill-up since 11/7/03 when I bought it. The average mpg has been steadily improving throughout it's life so far.

man8959

it'll get a lot better after 5000miles

damnboy

For my 08 RX350, the first tank I got around 20 mpg with 60% highway and 40% city driving. After 2000 miles, I get around 22 mpg avg. Note that I drive pretty aggressive.

I also notice that the full light comes on when there is about 3 gal left in the tank. It was the same as my 99GS3.

cheap_deal

ive never got above 17mpg on my 6250miles done rx350. it could be because of the short city trips with some idling time too.

Booyah

My 08 with only 600 miles on it is geting right around 18-19 city so far. My cruising range is over 300 per tank. Much better mileage than my 04 already

Booyah

Ok this last tank I got 346 miles on it! i fill it up and the cruising range only goes to 265? weird! Now I Think of it I have never seen 300 on my cruising range yet.....after a fill up

The G Man

Env_Engr, I think you are lucky to get even 17-18 miles per gallon. If you drive 2 miles to work, that means your car is just about warm up when you arrive at work. All new cars are very inefficient when its not warm up. If you drive short trips all the time, thats a big gas mileage killer. You cruising range is based on the computer's average MPG calculation, so if your MPG is low than your range will be low also. Give it another 4-5 thousand miles and the engine should be fully broken in, you should see maybe a 1 MPG gain.

Ron_Texas

My RX-350 is about 3 months old, around 3,000 miles on it. At first I was getting the same mileage, about 18 mpg. For some reason when it hit 1000 miles it started climbing and currently right at 22 mpg so it does get better. The 2 mile drive does not help matters. Take it on a short trip and see if it improves.

SlateRXMN

My 07 RX 350 now has 20000 miles and it seems this summer the mileage has improved. Last 2 months, I get 21-22mpg city and 26-28mpg on long trips.
I of course am thrilled given the price of gas, and the need to use premium.

Booyah

Ron,

Does your Cruising range go over 300 ever? After you fill up....

Ron_Texas

I cannot remember, I will check that when I fill up this week. I use the number from the computer for current mileage. I have checked it the old fashion way (miles/gallons) and it usually is close. I have read that the old fashion way is not a good method or should I say not as accurate as the computer based on fuel pump delivery and inconsistancy in how much is put in.

When I fill up the MPG resets to zero, on my other cars you had to reset it manually, I guess the Lexus is much smarter than my other vehicles.

cheap_deal

wow thats nice, guess the one sold in this part of the world is still not that smart!!!

Booyah

On the Nav display the cruising range resets after you fill up!! Im wanting to know what that says--

Your trip odometer does not auto reset--you have to do that yourself, the one on your nav Auto resets though