Natey2

Does the LS430 have a knock sensor to advance/retard ignition timing based on fuel grade, like the ES300 had?

Johnhav430

Yes, it wouldn't be able to use 87 safely if it did not.

I use 93, but on my Maxima which is designed for premium, I've used regular for 21 years to no ill effect. Just that I never got the 190/205 in the brochure.

caddylover

currently running 10-11 litres per 100km which is about 26-29mpg. This is spring/summer driving. Winter is about 12-14 per 100kms which is still in high teens, low 20s for mpg.

I am truly impressed with the gas mileage on this 8 cylinder beast.

Bocatrip

Just filled up doing about 95% city driving. Mine is the 5 speed auto. 14.3mpg after I do one extra click after fill up. I’m fine with it at 144,000 miles. I’m willing to pay for comfort.

Tked

I just got back from a 200 mile trip. I averaged 27.1 mpg at 80mph. I am very impressed with the gas mileage this car can get. I was driving in I70 here in Missouri so it was a little hilly. I wonder what my gas mileage would have been if I had been driving through Kansas ! I was also running on 91 and I'm on 235 55 17's. I think if I was going 65-70 I might have been able to get 29-30 mpg! In the city I can average around 20-22 if I can keep my foot out of it and drive like a grandma, hah!

AlexusAnja

Aerodynamics and optimal speed all contribute to fuel efficiency. There is that "sweet speed" where you get the best mpg. For the LS, from my driving, it's about 75 mph. Doing 55-60 is not going to get you better mpg. I've taken 4 trips from NJ to FL and the best trip where I averaged 27.3 gallons, i was clear and booked down 95 averaging 75-80 for almost a full tank down the Carolinas. I've done stretches where I'll be doing the speed limit and the average was not better.

Jabberwock

I have read that Lexus used 400 hours of wind tunnel time testing various shapes for the LS430. The result was a very aerodynamic streamline profile that helps with MPG and also produces very little wind noise at speed making for an extremely quiet car.

OG Member

iTrader: (1)

Here is a C&D article from 2000!

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...30-auto-shows/

"The new Lexus flagship is this LS430, which has a much more imposing stance than the LS400. The LS430 has an all-new 290-horsepower, 4.3-liter engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, more room inside, and a new suspension. Lexus says that the LS430's coefficient of drag of 0.25 is the lowest of any current production sedan. Overall height is up 2.4 inches, the wheelbase is three inches longer, but length remains the same (at 196.7 inches)..."

I'm no expert, but see that a coefficient of drag of 0.25 continues to be impressive, even by today's standards.

Johnhav430

I know I've said this a million times but top speed was one of Lexus' original goals and I believe the 1990 LS400 did 160 mph (as well as fuel economy, go figure, aerodynamics, and quietness). They knocked it out of the park fall 1989 because BMW accused Toyota Motor of selling the LS below cost (it wasn't true and how much more flattering could that have been?).

Today, they are not even close. I sat in the new alpina b7 and was clueless its top speed is 205 mph. To say Lexus has lost its way imho is a huge understatement. How often at work are you reminded of the company or firm's basic core beliefs? I would say Lexus meets 0/4 of those original goals today. OK, maybe they do worry about 1, fuel economy.

NetG

so far I'm driving 80-90% highway and getting about 22-23
refilled the gas tank and was on the interstate and was getting 26-27...until I exited
But 21-22 out of this beast with great acceleration seems pretty good with my kind of driving...and habit of using all the ponies...I tend to not leave any in the stable

westopill

I'm getting the same as you. MPG is 4-5 higher HWY only (25-28). Once I exit it drops and I hover in the 21-23 Tank Average range. I've replaced my coolant temp sensor, air filter, and used fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank and other than changing spark plugs and cleaning the throttle body (that'll be next).

damienqc

what you get on the highway is the optimum, no acceleration, just maintaining momentum. That’s impossible to match in other circumstances (unless going down...)

NetG

I'm currently doing a 3 tank average using premium then comparing to the lower octane...seeing if the car adjusting for knock lowers my mpg. On the third tank of premium now.

My highway driving is usually 2 lane country back roads, 60-70mph but curvey and hilly. Interstate I get 27+, those back roads around 23 usually. I'm trying to drive the same but a few times folks irritate me so my average drops quickly from 23 to 21 XD

But even the older posts here match up to what you and I are getting mostly, and those were lower milage at time of posting.

I have a new air filter and I have a "lexus 100,000 mile maintenance" sticker on the door jams but I still had the tbelt/water pump replaced because the bolts looked untouched, mechanic said the belt looked new...oh well. Peace of mind. Even with that sticker I will be replacing engine oil, tranny fluid and filter (full flush not a d/f), plugs, and also diff oil. Will probably hit the TB and maf sensor as well...can't hurt. And usually at the 100k check all they do is look at the tranny level...I won't go into my view on "lifetime" fluids...that's for another thread :P

love the interstate, most of my highways have TONS OF HILLS, lol. I'm like COME ON 22.3!!!! 22.5 YAHOO!!!! awe man, dude in front of me is turning...*sigh...22.1

Ricklin

I cover 5 states as a sales rep, there are still places where we can let those horses run free. I've been seeing a tank average of about 24 lately.
Out in Eastern Oregon and over in Idaho is the place for driving fast.
I see 22.5 MPG at 105 MPH. The LS is sweet at that speed, for those of you that explore the triple digits. Waze! It beats a radar detector. Since laser guns have become so popular a radar detector is just a your busted announcement. At excessive speed the 430 gets GREAT mileage, heck I think my Prius was down to about 30 MPG at 85+, and no fun to drive either. Prius is great in the city, it's not a highway car.

BCT

H*** yeah that is d*** impressive. I am looking at 2019 press kit for LC500. Coefficient of Drag is 0.33.

https://pressroom.toyota.com/release...s+kit.download

This may have something to do with the low coefficient of drag, but I notice that the LS do not hit as many bugs on interstate. I only bought the car last May, so this is the first spring that I have the LS.

Compare to my Land Cruiser, which is a higher profile SUV so kinda unfair comparison here, but the LC would just be covered with tons of bugs on the windshield, bumper pretty much everywhere when I drive her on interstate. I have driven other cars and the windshield would just be plastered with bugs. The LS seems to hit noticeable lower amount of bugs, which is awesome. Do you all notice that?