Interesting Mpg driving cross country ls430
04-04-13, 06:41 PM
#16
Has everyone forgotten that the UL hunkers down an inch at curise and that decreases the Cd to 0.25. That's a decrease of 3.85%. That means the drag on the UL is 3.85% less. That should affect the gas mileage by the same amount, meaning that a 22 mpg average for a non-UL, the UL will have 22.84 mpg.
04-04-13, 09:15 PM
#17
Moderator
04-05-13, 08:33 AM
#18
Lexus Champion
04-07-13, 06:31 AM
#20
Drove a total of 3871 miles last week. Average mileage was 26.9. That's not too shabby considering I was in the mountains of CO. On the open road I could not detect a mileage difference weather I ran 75 or 85. Very interesting.
Last edited by toyo; 04-07-13 at 02:47 PM.
04-07-13, 07:19 PM
#22
During a recent 300 mile trip from east of Albuquerque to Socorro west to the VLA and back, I averaged 28.5 mpg going 75mph (cruise). Normally, my drive to work is 44mi round trip with about 2300 ft of climbing with a mix of interstate and state highway driving. I typically average 26mpg. When I lived in AZ and drove between Tucson and Phoenix (flat, 220 mi round trip), I'd average about 27.5 mpg going 75-80 mph, which is consistent with the numbers posted here. One key to fuel efficiency is to get into 6th gear. The vehicle needs to be 55-60 to be in 6th. If you drive 45, fuel economy will definitely be worse than at 60.
07-09-13, 07:56 PM
#25
Did A Bit Better in Texas on the 20
I was headed from Dallas to El Paso and then on to LA.
When in Texas, with their gas I was averaging right around 30mpg consistently on the dash monitor with the cruise control set at 80.
Got into California and the Cali gas pushed me down to 27mpg even at 70mph
When in Texas, with their gas I was averaging right around 30mpg consistently on the dash monitor with the cruise control set at 80.
Got into California and the Cali gas pushed me down to 27mpg even at 70mph
07-20-13, 12:02 AM
#26
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I notice that the car's Cd of 0.26 is mentioned. Has everyone forgotten that the UL hunkers down an inch at curise and that decreases the Cd to 0.25. That's a decrease of 3.85%. That means the drag on the UL is 3.85% less. That should affect the gas mileage by the same amount, meaning that a 22 mpg average for a non-UL, the UL will have 22.84 mpg. There's been a lot of discussion about gas mileage, but I don't remember anyone considering that the UL is in a different category. Just saying.
The fact that the car looks like a floating boat and yet is so aerodynamic is really mind boggling to me!
07-20-13, 11:27 AM
#27
Lexus Champion
That is not the same thing. I am sure the mpg is improved; but there are many, many more things that go into mpg than just COD. Just because our cars have a better cod than a chevy volt(.28) does not mean it gets better gas mileage.
The fact that the car looks like a floating boat and yet is so aerodynamic is really mind boggling to me!
The fact that the car looks like a floating boat and yet is so aerodynamic is really mind boggling to me!
Aerodynamic drag is a function of the air density, speed of the air flowing into the car, frontal area of the car and the drag coefficient (Cd). The UL in it's lowered condition has a lower Cd than a non-UL that is an inch higher at the same conditions. Hence, the UL will have less drag and consequently an improved mpg.
Trust me, I'm a retired Aerospace Engineer.
07-22-13, 07:26 AM
#28
I have an Excel spreadsheet that I track every fill-up as well as every expense on my 2005 LS430 since I got it in Jan 2009. The largest effect on my gas milage is Air Conditioner use. Since I live in FL the A/C is in use most of the year but I have a historical trend of getting 23.5 in the winter and 21.5 in the summer to and from work. In the winter I do manually turn off the A/C from the climate screen unless it is particularily humid outside. In my 89,000 miles I have averaged 22.67 mpg.
07-22-13, 09:12 AM
#29
Lexus Champion
I have an Excel spreadsheet that I track every fill-up as well as every expense on my 2005 LS430 since I got it in Jan 2009. The largest effect on my gas milage is Air Conditioner use. Since I live in FL the A/C is in use most of the year but I have a historical trend of getting 23.5 in the winter and 21.5 in the summer to and from work. In the winter I do manually turn off the A/C from the climate screen unless it is particularily humid outside. In my 89,000 miles I have averaged 22.67 mpg.
It also allows you to detect any sudden change which might indicate a problem with the engine.
07-22-13, 11:54 AM
#30
Just my experience and I have no scientific proof except my vehicle behavior but from my driving experience, I get better mpg going 75~80 mph with cruise than 65 mph with cruise. I don't believe our most efficient range is 55 or even 65 mph. Again, i can't prove either way as both scenarios are not under the same controlled environment.