Forgot to mention, I drove to Chattanooga today. Averaged about 18.5 MPG again which is quite good for this vehicle.

 

Glad you're enjoying it! I remember many disagreements that your Pioneer audio is just as good as the ML lol

 

CD to CD, SAT vs SAT. The Pioneer in my LS is decent enough but like I said vs the ML reference is just out of this world. No comparison. 19 speakers.

Thanks!

That was on the LS430 base vs. ML (not all models), but clearly I was wrong. I guess it's just 430s are so old and ML stuff is known to be a potential weak spot on those while most of us with the base Pioneer never have any problems with it.

Stereo is out of this world, truly sounds amazing, and surround-ish.

 

The ML is one of the only things I miss about my LS vs my S Class. I've gotten used to the Burmester and the sub helps, but its not the ML. The ML you can never turn up too loud...the Burmester starts to sound grating and tinny when you turn it up too loud.

 

On certain songs, maybe 1 out of 10 songs mine will get distorted if you crank it to max and max on the phone but that is ONLY via the Bluetooth. I can't duplicate it on CDs (same song that distorts on BT) or Satellite so I think it must be something Bluetooth. Not really a problem bc I don't crank it to max all that much, but I did notice it. Still, this is the best factory system I've ever heard.

Also, regarding Apple phones and Apple play etc. I knew we were all talking about--- I don't have CarPlay. And IDK if this is for anyone with Bluetooth....but all I do to select music, send texts or have them read to me is say "Hey Siri...play Steve Winwood" and it pops right on then makes a playlist and I can go back and through them. It listens to the Siri from the mic in the truck I think, and she comes on over the system. Then I skip through said playlist with steering wheel buttons. It's not Apple Car play but what I have is better than nothing. This may be something people have done in Mitsubishi Marages for a decade, but it's something I love since I'm not used to it.

 

I would HIGHLY recommend you connect your phone via USB and don't use Bluetooth for the best audio quality. You also should try a lossless streaming service like Amazon Music HD or Apple Music (which now has lossless audio)

You WILL notice an improvement on the ML.

 

This.

Glad you hear you are enjoying the car OP, they are extremely well made.

 

WTF???



Thie trip computer is accurate give or take a few tenths, we’ve done the math.

This was a 100 mile trip from Chattanooga to Knoxville, cruise set on 72.

I was kinda shocked at this number. Like I said before I think I have a very well broken in engine. I was not a fan of synthetic oil but that’s all this has ever had and I’m almost certain that is at least some of the reason too.

Note: All on 87 regular. I have not put one drop of anything but 87 in it, and I never will. If you have an LX, don’t waste your money on premium. Exact same Toyota 5.7.

 

Thats great!

Why not a fan of synthetic oil?

 

I'm too stuck in the past. Sorta feel the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" adage is true. I just know I've kept the LS430 happy for almost a decade on conventional. No leaks, no consumption, etc. Just change the oil and drive it forever.

 

Technology moves ever forward. Synthetic oils are vastly superior. Even if you were to switch to synthetic in the LS430 now I bet you would notice it runs smoother and has better fuel economy. Detergent quality, ability to absorb moisture, flash temps, all much better with synthetic.

 

Yep, my buddy who sold it to me won't ever shut up about synthetic how it's better and I was stubborn for a while. The PO changed the oil about every 7500-10k. Lexus spec per dealer is 10k full synthetic.

I probably wouldn't switch in my LS430 but yes, I'm convinced synthetic is better. I'm almost certain it has something to do with this unexpectedly good HWY mileage in the LX when it's just purring.

We plan on taking this thing all over the West, Canada, etc. 20MPG vs the 16 I thought I'd get will save us some money, fuel bill won't be as huge. That's nice.

 

FWIW The new LX models with your engine are now on synthetic, personally iI would move to full synthetic if I were you. But, there must be something said for those who wanna follow the manufacture spec (although you don’t follow what is recommended for fuel). When I got my new 21 4R I was a little surprised that it’s now full synthetic. Oil changes are now at 16km.

 

It has had full synthetic its whole life. . And I'm not changing anything, lol. 20MPG on a LC/LX200 series is almost unheard of. And 20mpg in general isn't bad HWY for a huge 6100lb BOF truck IMO.

 

Cool. That makes sense. Where you get it serviced? Do you go to Lexus