Gas mileage...good-bad (The Mother thread)
05-13-05, 03:38 AM
#181
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: OK
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello:
I just purchased a '96 LS400 about a month or so ago, and on the highway the car gets 26-27 mpg but around town it is only getting about 19 mpg. The car has only 85,000 miles and has been very well maintained.
I bought the car to replace my wife's Expedition. I got it at such a great price that I couldn't turn it down - I've already been offered $3000 over what I paid for the car. If my wife didn't like the car so much I would probably sell, even though it is a very nice car. Too bad it doesn't have a 5- or 6-speed manual tranny to make it more fuel efficient and fun to drive!
dnelmo
I just purchased a '96 LS400 about a month or so ago, and on the highway the car gets 26-27 mpg but around town it is only getting about 19 mpg. The car has only 85,000 miles and has been very well maintained.
I bought the car to replace my wife's Expedition. I got it at such a great price that I couldn't turn it down - I've already been offered $3000 over what I paid for the car. If my wife didn't like the car so much I would probably sell, even though it is a very nice car. Too bad it doesn't have a 5- or 6-speed manual tranny to make it more fuel efficient and fun to drive!
dnelmo
05-17-05, 10:21 AM
#182
Rookie
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just took a 450 mile road trip from Irvine to San Francisco and I averaged about 23mpg. Which isn't bad. But I was hoping for more since I just got a tune up and realaced the fuel filter.
05-17-05, 03:31 PM
#183
Originally Posted by PlutoBHG
ugh, right now im getting around 10-12 mpg. i know i should probly replace the spark plugs and get a fuel system cleaner run through but if you guys have any suggestions on what else to do and what order to do them in (including plugs and cleaner) PM me please! gas is expensive in HI
06-19-05, 11:24 PM
#184
Former Vendor
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: California
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Blow me up TOM!
Originally Posted by PERRYinLA
On his radio talk show today, Tom Leykis reported his 3 year old LS430 gets 12-17 MPG!
That's in line with what harrier reports (13-15mpg on his 2001 LS430), but that sure is a huge drop in efficiency from what most of you report for your LS400's.
That's in line with what harrier reports (13-15mpg on his 2001 LS430), but that sure is a huge drop in efficiency from what most of you report for your LS400's.
06-19-05, 11:59 PM
#185
Racer
He has recently upgraded to a 2005 LS430 - not sure if his mileage has changed any, but he talks about it often. He test drove other cars, including the Mercedes, but went back to his third LS (black, of course, to match his clothing (but not his beard!)).
06-20-05, 03:27 PM
#186
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NY
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm surprised at the numbers people have posted in this thread.
I purchased my car ('98 LS400) in Florida and drove it back to New York (~1400 miles). I had to refill three times along the way and my mileage was excellent.
From Florida to the border of Georgia and South Carolina (A/C on full cruising at 80-85) I got about 23 MPG.
Georgia to Virginia (A/C off, cruising at ~80) I had about 26.5 MPG.
Virginia to NY (A/C off, cruising at 75) I had 30.2 MPG.
Now I didn't push the car much along the trip (I had just bought it so I did test out it's capabilities early on in the trip). I also didn't bother with the A/C once I got out of Georgia because the sunroof and windows were more than adequate.
Either my car is running superbly (68K, always maintained) or the in car computer (the one that tells your mileage, etc.-It's all I used for figures) may be malfunctioning. What is the likelyhood that it's messed up?
BTW, current tank (mostly highway, some city) reading is at 26 MPG.
I purchased my car ('98 LS400) in Florida and drove it back to New York (~1400 miles). I had to refill three times along the way and my mileage was excellent.
From Florida to the border of Georgia and South Carolina (A/C on full cruising at 80-85) I got about 23 MPG.
Georgia to Virginia (A/C off, cruising at ~80) I had about 26.5 MPG.
Virginia to NY (A/C off, cruising at 75) I had 30.2 MPG.
Now I didn't push the car much along the trip (I had just bought it so I did test out it's capabilities early on in the trip). I also didn't bother with the A/C once I got out of Georgia because the sunroof and windows were more than adequate.
Either my car is running superbly (68K, always maintained) or the in car computer (the one that tells your mileage, etc.-It's all I used for figures) may be malfunctioning. What is the likelyhood that it's messed up?
BTW, current tank (mostly highway, some city) reading is at 26 MPG.
06-25-05, 08:30 AM
#187
Driver School Candidate
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Ontario
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thoughts on gas consumption
First, I think it's evident that Gen 2 1/2 cars get better gas mileage than earlier vehicles. I get 32-33 MPG (imperial) cruising at 70-75 MPH. I made it from Toronto to Boston (560 miles) on a single tank of gas!
Here are some hints to get better gas mileage (other than the obvious "stay off the loud pedal"!):
1. Use synthetic engine oil! This is the factory spec for my LS, and I'm guessing for all that followed.
2. Use synthetic differential oil. Available at Walmart, a great investment of $20.
3. Use Iridium spark plugs (better than platinum). Once again, this is the factory spec for 98 & later LS's. Factory spec is to change the plugs at 100,000 miles. I changed mine at 50,000 miles and gained 1.5 MPG!
4. Use a K&N air filter. Easier breathing doesn' t just add horsepower...
5. Use Michelin Energy MXV-4 tires. They definitely have lower rolling resistance. They also wear like iron. I have 34,000 km on mine (about 22,000 miles) and they're less than half-worn.
On a lark, I decided one day to see just how low I could go with fuel consumption. I drove from Peterborough to Toronto (100 miles) and averaged 60 MPH. My cheats were to coast down hills in neutral, and to draft trucks when practical. The results are pictured below. For my American friends, 6.7 l/100km translates to 42 MPG Imperial, or 35 MPG US.
Here are some hints to get better gas mileage (other than the obvious "stay off the loud pedal"!):
1. Use synthetic engine oil! This is the factory spec for my LS, and I'm guessing for all that followed.
2. Use synthetic differential oil. Available at Walmart, a great investment of $20.
3. Use Iridium spark plugs (better than platinum). Once again, this is the factory spec for 98 & later LS's. Factory spec is to change the plugs at 100,000 miles. I changed mine at 50,000 miles and gained 1.5 MPG!
4. Use a K&N air filter. Easier breathing doesn' t just add horsepower...
5. Use Michelin Energy MXV-4 tires. They definitely have lower rolling resistance. They also wear like iron. I have 34,000 km on mine (about 22,000 miles) and they're less than half-worn.
On a lark, I decided one day to see just how low I could go with fuel consumption. I drove from Peterborough to Toronto (100 miles) and averaged 60 MPH. My cheats were to coast down hills in neutral, and to draft trucks when practical. The results are pictured below. For my American friends, 6.7 l/100km translates to 42 MPG Imperial, or 35 MPG US.
08-11-05, 09:46 AM
#188
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DC
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1992 Lexus LS 400 with 175,000 miles
I just purchased my LS 400 and I filled it up with premium gas. I set my trip odometer to zero and drove 375 miles before I hit a quarter tank remaining. By my calculations, that give me 500 miles per filled tank and between 22-25 miles per gallon with this V8. WOW 
08-11-05, 11:17 AM
#192
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
94 LS with 106k miles. I get around 23/24 with mixed driving. On a decent run on the open road, I can get over 400 miles from a tank. Driving around town is another proposition however... 
djp
djp
08-11-05, 03:04 PM
#193
Lead Lap
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1998 68k miles stock wheels
Use to get 20.2 mpg combined average
now using remote start I get 19.7 to 20.0 mpg combined
idel time kills mpg. but the car is nice and cool when I get in!! Well worth the cost of gas.
Also with my 20 plus mpg I hit 80 plus mph every day and about twice a week 90 mph. I love crusing on the highway. About once everyother month I will go over 100 mph. So considering that I am very satisfied with my mpg average.
crusing at 78 mph 26.4 mpg 80 mph 25.6 mpg
Use to get 20.2 mpg combined average
now using remote start I get 19.7 to 20.0 mpg combined
idel time kills mpg. but the car is nice and cool when I get in!! Well worth the cost of gas.
Also with my 20 plus mpg I hit 80 plus mph every day and about twice a week 90 mph. I love crusing on the highway. About once everyother month I will go over 100 mph. So considering that I am very satisfied with my mpg average.
crusing at 78 mph 26.4 mpg 80 mph 25.6 mpg
10-03-05, 01:28 PM
#194
The Green Grundel
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MN
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gas Mileage - Road Trip Comming
I may be driving from MN to CA to pick up a body kit and wheels. I'm looking at all my options as what I should make the trip in. What kind of mileage should I expect with a 99 LS400 going across the country?