I have not had my 05 long enough to find out how accurate the cruising range indicator is. is it pretty accurate? Does it run down to the low fuel light? I try to keep above a 1/4 of a tank.

 

it gives a pretty good estimate. you will notice that it doesnt drop down 1 mile per mile driven and actually depends on your current avg mpg after starting the car.

In fact, just this week, i let my tank go lower than i usually do. the yellow light came on at 16 miles left over. the light is equal to about 2 gallons. the reason it still said 16 miles was because my overall tank average was low

I would never wait till it says 0 though...

 

I just experience this last week, I got the yellow light came on warning me about low on gas yet I drove over 60 miles before I gas up again. I'm only using 87 Octane gas getting about 25mpg with mix of local and highway miles.

 

your getting 25mpg on regular unleaded!? i`m only getting 17.5 right now on premium!

 

^ Me too. Not getting 25mpg. Closer to Lexuss114 in the city and low 20-24 highway.

 

if I drive really steady on the freeway, i can get over 24 mpg according to the trip computer. In town, i get 4-17, and then it comes out mixed at 17

 

Thats about what im getting right now 16.5 to 18.I dont understand this? I may have to give regular a try!

 

Use premium 100%. Get 25 - 27 MPG summer, 20 - 23 winter. Lexus requires premium.
Winters are cold here in WI. too.

 

i too use premium, but in reality, the lexus image requires premium. toyota's use the same 3.3 and 3.5 liter engine in their cars from the camry, highlander, venza, sienna and they (and the RX) will run fine with regular

 

Comments on the various responses:

I find the fuel gauge very accurate and once I actually let the gas gauge get down to about 19 miles to go on the display. I don't recall the amount of fuel I put into the tank but this was an unusual situation. I keep my tank above 1/2 when I can to avoid condensation in the tank which means water in the fuel.

To the gas mileage comments:

We all know that fuel economy goes down significantly in the winter. Right? Fwiw, my wife has obtained an actual fuel mileage (measured as well as indicated) while on a 300 mile trip of about 26 mpg. That was on cruise control, going about 57-58 mph and not stopping for three hours. She put fuel in the tank, did the math and compared it to the computer number. Things that affect mileage are, of course, driving style, temperature, weight of the vehicle, and terrain (uphill in Colorado versus downhill or the plains of Kansas?), etc.

To the "Lexus requires premium" comments I will say that my car, 2005 RX330, only requires premium if I want to obtain maximum horsepower, towing, and/or if pinging/detonation are occuring. I will check my manual for the exact wording because I am paraphrasing from memory. Most modern cars have knock sensors which slightly detune the timing and ignition curve to avoid detonation. If all else fails, follow your owner's manual for the exact wording of the fuel caution. Fwiw, my 2007 BMW has virtually identical language, with both cars giving a minimum octance, which equates to standard fuel. When I first got the car, I ran seven tanks each of regular, mid, and premium and recorded and averaged the fuel economy. I noticed no difference in mileage or performance. Of course, at my age, almost 60, I don't need the extra 5 horsepower that I will get by using premium. Do what you want and what your car likes.

 

one thing I have noticed when I got my 05.The original/previous owner must have been using 87 octane. Reason being is,at the tip of the exhaust pipe had a lot of black carbon/soot on it when I brought it home. I cleaned it up real nice (polished that chrome tip) cleaned all the black stuff off. I started using premium in it right after the dealer gas got low. And now I can put my finger in the exhaust tip and it is totally clean.not so much as a smigen of black in their (and this is since October of last year).

 

My answer to the original question: one time I put 12 miles on the RX after the Cruising Range showed 0 miles. Couple more times I went to 0 on my GS, and still was able to drive 2-3 miles to the gas station.

 

Light goes on I have put 50 miles on before getting gas.

 

You know he drives a Hybrid don't you?

 

Yes I drive a Hybrid and if I drive around 60-65mph on freeway, I can squeeze up to 28mpg. it's just depends on your driving habits and road condition