cossie1600

In winter the car runs richer and burns more gas due to the ethanol in it.....

RX330inFL

While the EPA ratings are 18/24, if you view the window sticker which came on your RX there is a range of acceptable values for MPG listed underneath the big print numbers. The low end may be as low as 14 MPG. Take a look if you still have it. Should look similar to this:

http://images.gtcarlot.com/pictures/46642492.jpg

With the cold temperatures causing your RX to run richer while the engine takes longer to warm and with the current winter fuel blend, seeing low MPG numbers this time of year is not abnormal. Normally, these improve with the warmer weather and refineries switching to regular blends of gas.

Are you running 91 octane or better fuel as mentioned in the Owner's Manual? Using a lower octane fuel than your RX wants could also help explain the lower numbers.

How are you calculating your MPG? Are you going by the onboard computer or are you calculating MPG by miles traveled divided by fuel used? The onboard computer is not completely accurate, IMO, so would go with the latter if you are not already doing it that way.

Finally, have you tried a different brand of gas in your RX? I have long noticed that certain vehicles prefer or dislike various brands of fuels and their additives. For example, I have owned some vehicles which ran best and gave me the best MPG with Brand X while other vehicles got poor MPG with the same brand.

dwlink

The gas mileage is pretty average for this size of SUV. The 450h is really the way to go if you do alot of city driving as you'll effectively pay the price premium off much faster as a result of fuel savings. We average around 19 with our city/highway mix

afpj

Took a trip from about 2000 ft elevation to 8000 over 250 miles. Outside temps in the 20's F. Cargo carrier on top, 80 mph (speed limit in parts of utah). Got 16 mpg avg freeway all the way. Normally we get about 21 mpg on freeway, so all the conditions described are definitely anti-mpg friendly. EPA estimates are just that...estimates, and under specified conditions. 2010 rx350 70k miles.

BobBass

davrober,

Is your wife talking about Fred MacMurray driving in "Double Indemnity" or "Flubber?"

davrober

More like my 3 sons Fred

davrober

sticker is sticker. If you get 18 city in my area you should be 20. Either change the definitions so there is no misrepresentation or get it right. This is why Nissan and that other company got sued and lost because of misrepresentation on the sticker, I think it is time the govt checked toyota and Lexus for false milage claims

ecr72

"Nissan and that other company" Care to elaborate? I'm curious about the lawsuit but searching only came up with a couple aimed at the Honda Civic Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra and Ford C-Max. What vehicle(s) were in these lawsuits you're referring? I have a Nissan so I'm a bit curious.

As for window stickers not matching the real world, the stickers are much better than they used to be. In the past you could never expect to get what the sticker claims. Now, it's a lot closer. Many can achieve what manufacturers claim. My old Jetta TDI said 42 city, 50 highway and I got a consistent 45 in mixed driving and I drove the heck out of it, no babying. The Altima Hybrid I'm driving now stickers at 35 city, 33 highway. I get 33-34. My wife used to get around 29 in it. She's driving the RX 350 and getting around 17. I know I'd do better with my commute and driving style. She's on the throttle much more than she needs to be.

vlad_a

The RX uses port injection, which is not as efficient as direct injection so widely deployed by other manufacturers.
However, pure direct injection has serious issues (depending on mfg and engine) with carbon build-up.
Therefore, you may be paying more at the pump, but your car does not require expensive maintenance to clean the carbon build-up or rebuilding the engine if it is severe.
So it may cost more to pay for gas, but it is worth it in the long run.
It is not outrageous by any means, especially considering the size and weight of the vehicle.

As far as EPA numbers are concerned - they are there for comparative shopping. It is just a metric.

bextreme1

The numbers on the sticker are provided by the EPA, not the manufacturer. The government changed the way they estimate mileage a few years ago but anyone who thinks that the government or anyone else can estimate mileage correctly is kidding themselves. Everyone has a different way of driving so there will be variations in mileage figures. I get 15 max round town and 22 on highway but I drive fast.

The thing that really gets me is that people on this forum spent 42-48k for a vehicle and are worried about mileage? This is a luxury vehicle not an economy car! I would expect a thread like this on a Toyota or Honda forum. If 2 mpg makes a difference then you should be driving a prius!

cossie1600

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml

How Vehicles Are Tested

Fuel economy is measured under controlled conditions in a laboratory using a standardized test procedure specified by federal law. Manufacturers test their own vehicles—usually pre-production prototypes—and report the results to EPA. EPA reviews the results and confirms about 10-15 percent of them through their own tests at the National Vehicles and Fuel Emissions Laboratory.

ecr72

I don't mind the discussion in general since MPG can indicate problems with the car, so keeping track is a good idea. However, you are right. To get all hung up over a couple MPG variance from the sticker is childish when you just spent so much on the vehicle. That would be like buying a 4000 sq ft house and running around turning off lights like an crazy old man to save a couple bucks a month.


Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android

vlad_a

Actually, the government only tests a fraction of vehicles. The manufacturers follow EPA instructions to calculate the numbers. It is an honor system. But, if you mess up, there will be fines to pay. Hyundai was just fined $100 mil/year in payouts to their customers for being dishonest about the numbers.

I actually paid $55K for my RX and and the [realistic] mileage is a factor for me. Funny you should mention it, but we traded-in a Prius.

davrober

So since we are paying 50k for an automobile then we shouldn't be concerned about misrepresentation and incorrect marketing statements. I dont know about you but here on LI where we pay upwards of $4.00 for regular gas it is a part of buying a car whether it is luxery or not. We do compare these things and if it comes down to all things being equal it can very well determine which car you buy. I just don't like being lied to by the Gov't or the company. I have since talked to several folks that work for Lexus and they know very well these City diving figures are way out of whack. The sales manager at my dealership drives a RX350 himself and even he says its dissapointing but he doesn't have to pay for the car and his gas is free anyway but at least he was honest.

bextreme1

In case you haven't been around for the last 30 or so years, almost no EPA sticker on a car has been right. Even the government admits this. It's been reported by news organizations for a long time. A few years ago the Prius was found to be off by almost 10 mpg! I live in NY also and I know the prices. Misrepresentation is one thing, which I agree with you on but people buying luxury cars are not usually concerned about gas mileage unless they are stretching their budget to get one. IMO, if someone is concerned about mileage, there are plenty of cars that get great mileage and are solid cars. The OP in this thread was concerned about the sticker being off by 2 mpg. It's almost impossible for everyone to get the same mileage as everyone drives differently. I get 14-15 city and never over 22 on the highway. That's because I drive fast. Others get a lot more mpg than I do.