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I'm a new owner, although only hitting 32mpg @ 125miles, I've been reading and trying to understand how to get the advertised mpg. I thought it might be useful to post some tips from others and maybe help everyone summarize what works and what doesn't. Coming from a G35, I have a heavy foot, I either gas or break, and I accelerate like someone is chasing me at a light. I'm always the first off the light and I'm always passing. Having said that, I was getting 18mpg and loads of fun. I went the CT200 route to get at least 38mpg and am willing to give up some fun for a more civil ride home. I commute 25miles each way, many hills, some traffic, usually hit speeds above 70-75mph in san diego. Here's a few pastes from others I've found helpful. Please comment for the sake of helping those, like myself, who haven't achieved MPG nirvana.
emejay:
QBallTBEB:
Midcow3:
emejay:
- -short commute: I have a 60 mile one way commute in So Cal, and I find the car really doesn't warm up (engine oil, not coolant) for about 20 miles. Once warm, the car gets much better MPG. I have 22K miles on mine now, the worst tank was 50 MPG, the best 60 MPG. If I did lots of short trips with a cold car I bet it would be about 40.
- -speed: you already found out how higher speed sukssss gas...traffic on my commute dictates I go about 55 mph and I notice if it is about 50 mph the fuel economy is noticeable better. Of course, it is not practical to drive 50 mph when traffic is going 75 mph or if you need to get someplace in short time, but when traffic dictates it, you benefit in fuel economy.
- -"eyes up": they teach you in high performance driving schools to look ahead to see whats coming up. This can translate to non-racing driving to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary braking and accelerating.
- -tire pressure: the tire manufacturer, Michelin, states maximum pressure is 51 psi for my tires, I inflate them to 50 psi and notice several MPG increase. This is still within the manufacturers recommendation, so hold the hate mail. This is higher than Lexus' recommendations, but they have an ineterest in providing a smooth ride (note the number of posts of people complaining of the rough ride....). Yes, it rides a little rougher. No, there is no significant signs of aberrant wear on the tire as the tire is still within manufacturers recommendation. I have inflated my tires to close to the max on all of my cars for the last 20+ years without any problems. In fact, tire shop personnel are amazed at how many miles I get out of a set of tires.
- -weather: best mileage is when it is hot outside, even 50 F is "cold" here where I live and I see a 1-2 MPG decrease. Rain also reduces your mileage by increasing rolling resistance.
- -engine oil: this is very anecdotal, but once I used Mobil1 0w-20 and it seemed like it was harder to get the better gas mileage. I use Toyota 0w-20 exlulsively now. Research on Bobistheoilguy.com shows the Toyota oil to measure at a thinner viscosity than the Mobil1, and it has more antiwear ingredients (more slippery??). Again, my experience is anecdotal and impossible the document.
- -weather (cold REALLY kills mileage), I notice worse mileage when it is 50F, much better when it is 90F (even with a/c on)
- -longer trips (driving the car when the engine is not fully heated kills mileage too). I have a 60 mile commute.
- -higher tire pressure is good for another 1-2 MPG. I set them to 50 psi
- -higher speeds increases aero drag HUGE! Traffic where I live doesn't usually allow 70mph.
- -like a traditional internal combustion car, quick acceleration sucks up the fuel. I don't drive like grandma, but rarely floor the car
- -I find normal or sport or eco mode makes no discernable difference in mileage whatsoever
- -after the car "breaks in" (8K to 10K miles), it just uses less fuel. Part of that may be gaining experiece in driving it.
- -big, long hills followed by big long downhills uses more gas net than the same distance all flat terrrain (no hills on my usual commute)
- mpg drops drastically with under-inflated tires. A few psi over recommended, 36/35, gives good mileage and yet a decent ride. 41/40 a bit more mileage but harsher ride. Still looking for that sweet spot, I think it may be 37/36.
After I have my 10k checkup, I will drop the tires to 37/36 and let it run for a few tanks.
- I find that weather is a big culprit in declining gas mileage. You also must consider terrain. I live in an area that is slightly hilly and I take short trips. In the summer, I average around 41-42mpg. In the winter, I have averaged 35-37mpg. My belief is that the car uses gasoline to warm up in the winter to function the heater and defroster and the engine runs much longer leading to the decrease in mileage. Plus, I get the car defrosted and warmed up and then my trip is completed in a short distance which is harsh for gas mileage. I guess it sort of depends on your location in California and the terrain and climate.
QBallTBEB:
- I am averaging around 46MPG based on Fuelly. (48.5 based on the car's readout). I've been able to hit 48+MPG twice. My worse MPG is around 38 and that was due to a road trip from the Bay Area to So Cal. I was cruising between 75 - 80 MPH. Anything above 70 MPH kills your MPGs.
Midcow3:
- The CT200h gas tank holds 11.9 gallons. As a brilliant safety measure to protect their valuable customers, Lexus decided to have an emergency 3 gallons. So they base the gas gauge and cruising range on the non-emergency portion 11.9-3 = 8.9 gallons. When your gauge is absolutely empty, you still have 3 gallons of gas. When you cruise ranges says zero (0), you still have 3 gallons ~ 120 miles.
