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We had a 2006 LS 430 for 11 months and covered 16,000 miles. We also covered 16,000 miles in 11 months with our 2013 LS 460. Below is a comparison of the MPG over similar trips and commutes. The trendlines show the LS 460 8-speed helps more in highway driving, probably due to a taller final gear. As I do more city-driving, the LS 460 starts to fall behind the LS 430 in MPG but there's more to the story.
Overall, the LS 430 averaged 18.7 MPG with 75% City driving and the LS 460 averaged 17.0 MPG, but at 80% City driving. Extrapolating from the available data, our LS 430 would average 18.15 MPG if it were driven at 80% City. At 80% City-driving the LS 460 has 6.3% less MPG than the LS 430. However, I feel the deficit is actually impressive considering that the 4.6L is 7% larger than the 4.3L, and the LS 460 provides gobs more torque and horsepower too (which I am guilty of tapping into). If I drove the LS 460 like I drove the LS 430 then I have no doubt I can exceed the LS 430 MPG across the board, especially in ECO mode.
Let's put it this way, if you stop having so much fun driving your LS460, you'll be able to average 26mpg a week in mixed driving conditions. That's what I do every single week...if I can do it anyone can.
My best weekly average is over 27, my worst is 24. But for the most part I stay right at 26-26.5. Then again I'm not exactly having a boatload of fun driving the thing, flooring it and racing Audi's at stop lights (although once in a while I'll divulge).
Let's put it this way, if you stop having so much fun driving your LS460, you'll be able to average 26mpg a week in mixed driving conditions. That's what I do every single week...if I can do it anyone can.
My best weekly average is over 27, my worst is 24. But for the most part I stay right at 26-26.5. Then again I'm not exactly having a boatload of fun driving the thing, flooring it and racing Audi's at stop lights (although once in a while I'll divulge).
Thanks, Doublebase. You are getting some great fuel economy numbers! The majority city-driving is killing me, idling in stop-n-go traffic. I drive the LS spiritedly when I'm the only one in the car but even then it's not like I redline the motor. I typically drove the LS 430 around 2000-2500 RPM. In the LS 460 I'm 2000-3500. I blame the car, it feels more athletic compared to the 430. Okay, I'm partly...mostly at fault too. Lately I have been dropping down to ECO and listening to more classical music and Enya to avoid over stimulating my right foot. I do love the V8 though, even in ECO mode the car gets up to speed easily and doesn't feel like it is straining.
Thanks, Doublebase. You are getting some great fuel economy numbers! The majority city-driving is killing me, idling in stop-n-go traffic. I drive the LS spiritedly when I'm the only one in the car but even then it's not like I redline the motor. I typically drove the LS 430 around 2000-2500 RPM. In the LS 460 I'm 2000-3500. I blame the car, it feels more athletic compared to the 430. Okay, I'm partly...mostly at fault too. Lately I have been dropping down to ECO and listening to more classical music and Enya to avoid over stimulating my right foot. I do love the V8 though, even in ECO mode the car gets up to speed easily and doesn't feel like it is straining.
Yeah it sounds like you're doi a lot more city driving than me, my city driving consists of hitting maybe 2-3 of freeway traffic on the way home. After that it's pretty much smooth sailing.
Im pretty easy on the gas pedal too, and I've never been able to coast like I can in this car. Once this thing is up to speed it just kind of glides along.
But this is a tough car to own if you do a lot of city driving and idling in traffic. I'd probably drive a Chevy Volt or something if I was doing that. Lol.
My 07 460 gets +- 22.5 mpg with a 50/50 split of city and highway. Best highway only mileage logged was 29. Fantastic in my oppinion.
BB, is that self-calculated or what the computer reports? I notice the computer is optimistic and routinely reports .8-1.3 higher MPG than actual. Still though, I agree the big V8 gets phenomenal MPG on the highway.
I always wondered why the computer estimated better MPG in the 68-72 MPH range than when at 62-63 MPH. It didn't make sense until someone else mentioned the air suspension lowers the car .5" at speeds over 65 MPH to improve aerodynamics. I guess that really does work.
Never self calculated. Always just looked at the "after refueling" numbers on my display. If that's not correct, I don't want to know about it. No sense bursting by mileage bubble )
I'm not one who did all the data... but, I owned my 2001 LS430 while I have had this job I am working at (1 hour from home), and I upgraded to a 2007 LS460 last May. My LS430 was always around 20-21mpg even with a little aggressive driving time to time. My LS460 is always at 18-19mpg. If I baby it, and put cruse on at 65mph, I will see 25-28mpg but, in the real world fighting through traffic each day, it's impossible to use cruse never mind staying at 65 on the dot.
I'm not one who did all the data... but, I owned my 2001 LS430 while I have had this job I am working at (1 hour from home), and I upgraded to a 2007 LS460 last May. My LS430 was always around 20-21mpg even with a little aggressive driving time to time. My LS460 is always at 18-19mpg. If I baby it, and put cruse on at 65mph, I will see 25-28mpg but, in the real world fighting through traffic each day, it's impossible to use cruse never mind staying at 65 on the dot.
That is very interesting, DavidinCT. Hmm... makes me wonder about gear ratios. Below is all I could find. Comparing the ratios, I would expect the 6-speed (2004-2006 LS 430) to get the best highway fuel-economy, followed by the LS 460, and then a 2001-2003 LS 430. However, it is difficult to compare based solely on gearing since the LS 430 (I think) has a lower coefficient of drag, as well as weighing less than the LS 460. Does the LS 460 go into 8th gear at 65 MPH (I've never actually counted)? If not, then the 2001 LS 430 in 5th gear is actually in a taller gear than the LS 460's 7th gear. The difference in low-rolling resistance can also be a factor too, I suppose. Oh wait, I am not reading your post very well and am assuming your 1-hour commute is predominantly highway, which it may not be.
As much fun as you guys know the LS 460 is, don't add Exhaust Vents if you want maximum mpg. Because if you think it's fun now, when it sounds awesome doing it, you'll be looking for opportunities to accelerate! To me 2,700 to 2,750 rpm makes me drool.
I put it in S and manual shift it, just so I can hear it at 2,700 rpm! <-- And I've learned to blip the throttle and down shift it too.
<------ Just look at it. It's a badass!
Fatherto1: Your first post and your numbers seem 100% legit. That's what I would have expected. With more cubes and power available, sitting around in traffic and accelerating would tend to use more fuel than a smaller engine. And the way this thing cruises (low rpm) on the interstate, combined with the engine technology (direct injection, etc etc etc) that the 430 does not have, I'm NOT surprised the 460 does better on the interstate.
The 460 is so good in fact, I compare it to the well used G35, 6 speed I bought for my oldest son. Fun car. But I think the LS will out perform it in most every aspect, except maybe slalom. The LS is quicker, faster, more comfortable, might beat the G35 at Road Atlanta, and gets better mpg too. That 3.5L is no gas sipper. I might have fouled up on that selection due to the low mpg, but I couldn't let him be seen in a Hyundai! I think it may beat the G35 at Road Atlanta because even though it would be slower in the turns, it will run right past it on the straights. The straightaway speed combined with it not being a complete turd in the corners, I think it might beat the G35. You'd need new brakes when done on the road course, hauling nearly 5k pounds down is going to fry some brakes.
02-20-18, 04:08 PM
LS 460 vs LS 430 MPG
mileage
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And I've learned to blip the throttle and down shift it too. 
