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Lexus RX 400h - MPG-Real World Numbers

357 messages,  Last post on Jan 04, 2013 at 8:01 PM

You are in the Lexus RX 400h Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

Messages Page 32 of 36

#311 of 357 26 mpg city, with A/C, better on highway by dmbflorida

Jul 08, 2009 (4:52 pm)

I bought a new 2006 400h hybrid over four years ago as did my daughter (both are front wheel drive and this gets better fuel eco than AWD). We live in hot SW Florida so A/C is on most of the time. I get about 26 mpg in city, slightly better on highway. She gets slightly less mpg than I do but she is not as conservative as I am in driving habits plus she frequently leaves the A/C on in the driveway or queue in a 'drive through' place. She has twice the odometer reading compared to me. I traded in a 2004 Prius that I loved but it was not as comfortable or as safe as the Lexus RX 400h which is superior in most features. I personally do not drive a lot and plan to keep my 400h for many years. I recommend this 2006 car highly but I do not know anything about the new models.

#312 of 357 Low MPG by ronjo

Mar 03, 2010 (5:15 pm)

First post. 2006 rx400h. Bought used w/90k miles. I get about 19mpg, mixed hwy, city. Seems low. Bought new tires - did not change. Tune up-no change. I have 110K miles - do the batteries go bad? - how can you tell? The power meter on the dash seems to go up to 100kWatt if pushed hard. Although I drive like a granny trying to get the best mileage. Highway I can get maybe 23 if I try hard. (My Acura MX 2004 almost gets the same but no hybrid). Otherwise I love it - just hoping for more green.
(Any good sources for replacement batteries?). Thanks

#313 of 357 Re: Low MPG [ronjo] by kyxydj

Mar 03, 2010 (5:27 pm)

Replying to: ronjo (Mar 03, 2010 5:15 pm)
I have 46K on my 2006 RX400h. Currently getting around 30 mpg - I am also driving like a granny to maximize fuel economy. Note: Things like the heater, de-fogger, and air conditioning will make the gas engine come on more frequently. And this makes your MPG go down. Also - when first starting up the RX hybrid, if you have to stop shortly after starting up, like at a light, and the gas engine is still active, slip the car into PARK. Unless it's really cold outside, this will cause the gas engine to shut down while you wait. Do you live in an especially cold climate? I have not seen my MPG deteriorate at all during the first 46,000 miles.

#314 of 357 Re: Low MPG [ronjo] by dmbflorida

Mar 03, 2010 (9:00 pm)

Replying to: ronjo (Mar 03, 2010 5:15 pm)
something is wrong. it sounds as if you bought an RX300 or 330 (non-hybrid).
it is possible that the main battery is malfunctioning and this can happen after 100,000 miles or more. I suppose the answer lies in a mechanic checking out the main battery. recently, hybrid main batteries are supposed to be better quality so look for the newest technology if you buy one. sorry I do not know more than this.
We continue to get about 25 to 26 mpg on our two 400h hybrids but I drive more conservatively than my daughter so my car gets about two mpg better than her's does.

#315 of 357 9.08 L/100km by mtrs

Jul 02, 2010 (9:54 am)

Just to add my Canadian perspective, my real-world fuel economy, in litres per 100 km, has been 9.08 L/100km over the last 6 months. Rather than using the trip computer, this is based on the actual amount of fuel (87 octane, "bronze") that I have put into the car, and the distance I've travelled. This is roughly 90% city driving.
 
My mileage is best when it's warm enough that I don't have to use much heat, but cool enough that I don't use much AC. It's generally worse in the heat of summer (lots of AC), or in the dead of winter (lots of heat, so the engine keeps running), or in the rainy season (lots and lots of moisture, so I keep the defogger running, which runs the AC and sucks heat).

#316 of 357 Re: 9.08 L/100km [mtrs] by dmbflorida

Jul 02, 2010 (6:32 pm)

Replying to: mtrs (Jul 02, 2010 9:54 am)
please post again if you calculate miles per gallon for American drivers. I seem to be "brain dead" this weekend.
my mpg is about 26 running air conditioning constantly in hot SW Florida. I love this car. I do not use it much because I also have the Mazda Tribute "loaded" model (SUV) with hybrid engine,2008. it has been a good car but it was only available in CA and it is driven in Florida. The Mazda gets about 29 mpg.

#317 of 357 Re: Lexus 400h 2006 mileage [dmb12] by skycaptain

Jul 17, 2010 (7:48 am)

Replying to: dmb12 (May 01, 2008 4:33 pm)
Sounds like you take really good care of your cars. Keep me in mind if you ever want to sell one of your hybrids. I can't afford a new one but a good well kept used one from you is just as good to me.
 
                      Regards,
 
                       Luke

#318 of 357 2006 model 90,000 mile by kaperino

Jul 17, 2010 (8:30 am)

Just had the big 90,000 mile done and replaced the water pump. She is still getting around 27.9 mpg. Still love her. Still live in the south so run AC on panic most days. Like the new model but not a lick of trouble except the cheap tires she first came with.
 
Kap

#319 of 357 thanks for the comment by dmbflorida

Jul 17, 2010 (1:39 pm)

I do not wish to sell my Lexus...it only has about 34,000 miles on it even though it is a 2006 model. I am older and expect to keep this car "forever" as I have not had any problems and it seems so safe to me in addition to being comfortable.
. I loved my Prius 2004 but it was uncomfortable to me because of the small size.
My daughter, in Ft Lauderdale, might consider selling her Lexus 400h 2006 at some time because she has been unemployed and needs money. Her mileage likely is 50,000,,, I don't know..
what is great is that the Lexus 400h 2006 looks like a new model.
 
btw, in spite of the propaganda against Toyota, I still think it is a great car.
 
D M Burke

#320 of 357 Sudden Change in Mileage by bocastephen

Jul 19, 2010 (11:51 am)

I have a 2008 R400h. I've been averaging about 27-28 on the car using proper hybrid pulse driving techniques across a range of in-town and freeway driving (rarely about 60mph). On a flat 35mph road with limited stops, I can average in the mid 30s MPG.
 
The on board MPG is off by exactly .5, every time - measured across 60+ tanks of gas since I got the car. The point is - MPG has been consistent for 18 months of use provided I use the same driving techniques, which I do.
 
Last month, the mileage number started to go down - averaging around 26, and now I'm down to 22. In addition to that, you could sense the car was behaving differently. Engine was on more often, engine came on instantly when gas pedal was touched, and sometimes it came on for no reason, even when stopped with the hybrid battery charged.
 
So I've tested different brands of gas for the past month - no change. Had an oil change, no difference. Since performance and behavior was consistent for 18 months and all of a sudden became dramatically different, I am concerned that something in the computer system has gone wrong.
 
Today when I get home, I will try the 'fix' outlined in a Toyota service bulletin to reprogram the ISC - although this fixes a problem resulting from a dead or disconnected battery, and that didn't happen to my car.
 
Has anyone else suffered a sudden and dramatic drop in MPG along with a change in car behavior? If so, did the dealer diagnose and problem and take steps to resolve it?

Messages Page 32 of 36

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