Surprisingly good mpg driving like a civil citizen
#17
There is a significant difference in MPG between ECO and Sport+ mode, I did some research and testing on it last year. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-...m-testing.html
So I 've spent the last few months testing the various modes of the RCF and recording their respective MPG results. For the record my car is complete stock, I live South Los Angeles County (near Long Beach), and work in East Los Angeles County (near Pomona).
the test:
56 mile round trip commute to work/home. 33 miles to work, 23 home.
I have to take my daughter to school in the morning, she attends a G.A.T.E. Academy School 10 miles southeast of our home and work is 23 miles northeast of our home, this makes the drive to work a bit different than the drive home, but it does help in making ideal conditions for a mixed high/city test.
To work: 10 miles highway >65mph, 16 miles surface street avg. 42 mph (35-45mph zones, 17 signals, avg. wait at signal 1:15, 7 miles back roads >55mph 6% uphill grade for 1.2 miles, 3% downhill grade for 3.5 miles, flat 2.3 miles.
Return home, 2.7 miles surface street to and from highway, average speed 24 mph 4 signals, 3 stop signs. avg. wait 0:52, 20.3 miles highway, avg. speed in rush hour 38mph.
each mode was run for 1 month (20 work days) the car was not used for any other purpose but back and forth to work. That mode was used exclusively for the entire duration of the test. The calculations were made manually by figuring the total miles / total fuel. for that given cycle, the on board MPG computer was also reset for each test and matched my manual calculations with a very small margin of error. Each fill was approx. 14.5 gallons of fuel, vehicle usually filled within a 1-2 miles of the low fuel light activating.
ECO mode Avg. MPG
Vehicle Computer reports 24.2
Manual Calculation reports. 23.9
Avg. miles on 14.5 gallons 345 - 350
3 fill ups.
Normal mode Avg. MPG
Vehicle Computer reports 20.4
Manual Calculation reports. 19.9
Avg. miles on 14.5 gallons 280 - 290
4 fill ups
Sport mode Avg. MPG
Vehicle Computer reports 18.4
Manual Calculation reports. 17.9
Avg. miles on 14.5 gallons 250 - 260
4 fill ups
Sport+ mode Avg. MPG
Vehicle Computer reports 16.1
Manual Calculation reports. 15.8
Avg. miles on 14.5 gallons 220 - 230
5 fill ups
There is an 8 mpg drop between ECO and Sport+ mode.
in ECO the car shoves itself into 8th gear as quickly as possible and holds that gear as long as possible, I watched it hang in 8th coasting from 65mph down to 37mph, additionally it keeps the car in Atkinson cycle as long as possible, basically anytime the car is not under load. in Sport+ it holds each gear at higher RPMs for longer, and I only saw it go past 6th gear once with I was cruising above 90mph.
I also found it interesting that the on board computer seems to report 1/2 mpg more than manual calculations consistently.
While most people don't care because really who buys a car like the RCF for mpg? the fact is that for daily commuting, there is a 100 mile per tank difference between ECO and Sport+ which for me is 2 more round trips to work, or 2 more days between fills, also consider the difference of 2 additional fill ups riding around in sport plus mode over the same time frame, that's an additional $90-$100 in fuel that month.
Your results may vary based on the fuel and terrain where you live, CA fuel is crap, and the roads are as well.
the test:
56 mile round trip commute to work/home. 33 miles to work, 23 home.
I have to take my daughter to school in the morning, she attends a G.A.T.E. Academy School 10 miles southeast of our home and work is 23 miles northeast of our home, this makes the drive to work a bit different than the drive home, but it does help in making ideal conditions for a mixed high/city test.
To work: 10 miles highway >65mph, 16 miles surface street avg. 42 mph (35-45mph zones, 17 signals, avg. wait at signal 1:15, 7 miles back roads >55mph 6% uphill grade for 1.2 miles, 3% downhill grade for 3.5 miles, flat 2.3 miles.
Return home, 2.7 miles surface street to and from highway, average speed 24 mph 4 signals, 3 stop signs. avg. wait 0:52, 20.3 miles highway, avg. speed in rush hour 38mph.
each mode was run for 1 month (20 work days) the car was not used for any other purpose but back and forth to work. That mode was used exclusively for the entire duration of the test. The calculations were made manually by figuring the total miles / total fuel. for that given cycle, the on board MPG computer was also reset for each test and matched my manual calculations with a very small margin of error. Each fill was approx. 14.5 gallons of fuel, vehicle usually filled within a 1-2 miles of the low fuel light activating.
ECO mode Avg. MPG
Vehicle Computer reports 24.2
Manual Calculation reports. 23.9
Avg. miles on 14.5 gallons 345 - 350
3 fill ups.
Normal mode Avg. MPG
Vehicle Computer reports 20.4
Manual Calculation reports. 19.9
Avg. miles on 14.5 gallons 280 - 290
4 fill ups
Sport mode Avg. MPG
Vehicle Computer reports 18.4
Manual Calculation reports. 17.9
Avg. miles on 14.5 gallons 250 - 260
4 fill ups
Sport+ mode Avg. MPG
Vehicle Computer reports 16.1
Manual Calculation reports. 15.8
Avg. miles on 14.5 gallons 220 - 230
5 fill ups
There is an 8 mpg drop between ECO and Sport+ mode.
in ECO the car shoves itself into 8th gear as quickly as possible and holds that gear as long as possible, I watched it hang in 8th coasting from 65mph down to 37mph, additionally it keeps the car in Atkinson cycle as long as possible, basically anytime the car is not under load. in Sport+ it holds each gear at higher RPMs for longer, and I only saw it go past 6th gear once with I was cruising above 90mph.
I also found it interesting that the on board computer seems to report 1/2 mpg more than manual calculations consistently.
While most people don't care because really who buys a car like the RCF for mpg? the fact is that for daily commuting, there is a 100 mile per tank difference between ECO and Sport+ which for me is 2 more round trips to work, or 2 more days between fills, also consider the difference of 2 additional fill ups riding around in sport plus mode over the same time frame, that's an additional $90-$100 in fuel that month.
Your results may vary based on the fuel and terrain where you live, CA fuel is crap, and the roads are as well.
#18
There is a significant difference in MPG between ECO and Sport+ mode, I did some research and testing on it last year. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-...m-testing.html
#19
Only during acceleration. While cruising on the highway the only factor is the gear you are cruising in. I can get the same MPG in Sport S and ECO while cruising on the highway. Sport S+ cruises one gear lower than the rest so it will suffer. Unless you are using manual mode...
#20
Some people believe that the Atkinson Cycle only works in Normal or Eco modes and that it's linked to the Eco light. If that were the case then the MPG would change in Sports S mode (while cruising). I don't get the Eco light in Sports S mode like I do in Normal or Eco, but I get the exact same MPG while cruising.
#21
I appreciate the time that you took to test and post your results. I was merely adding some missing information.
Some people believe that the Atkinson Cycle only works in Normal or Eco modes and that it's linked to the Eco light. If that were the case then the MPG would change in Sports S mode (while cruising). I don't get the Eco light in Sports S mode like I do in Normal or Eco, but I get the exact same MPG while cruising.
Some people believe that the Atkinson Cycle only works in Normal or Eco modes and that it's linked to the Eco light. If that were the case then the MPG would change in Sports S mode (while cruising). I don't get the Eco light in Sports S mode like I do in Normal or Eco, but I get the exact same MPG while cruising.
Far as I know ECO mode in of itself just curbs the throttle response and manipulates the HVAC system to emphasize fuel efficiency, Normal with the "ECO" light simply indicates that you’re driving in an economic (or eco-friendly) manner, the system considers factors such as accelerator use, engine & transmission efficiency, speed, HVAC load requirements, and rate of acceleration when making this determination.
There is a noticeable difference in the throttle response between ECO mode and Normal mode, and there is a significant lag in down shifting when you are in ECO and attempt to accelerate to pass at 55+ mph. ECO mode will hold the Atkinson Cycle longer and it will shove the car into a higher gear faster, typically in ECO I see my car in 8th by 37mph, where in normal it will be 44mph before it gets there.
Sport and Sport+ hold the gears longer, shifting at higher RPMs, even with light to medium acceleration, holding 7th in Sport until around 60mph and 80mph in Sport+ (provided you are not WOT, but lightly accelerating).
IMO the major increase in MPG for the RCF is the 8 speed transmission coupled with the computer management of the HVAC system.
#22
Wow. I never get more than 12 or 13 MPG in city or 20-22 highway. My range never goes above 190 miles after I fill up! and I fill up 6-7 times a month. anyone else with those results??? Either I drive like an **** , you guys drive like grandmas or there is something wrong with the car..lol
#23
I'm going to be driving my brand new 2017 RCF home on a 400 mile trip from the dealership this Saturday(3/11).
If you have any tests you want me to run on my way, give me a heads up.
More than happy to oblige for the CL fam.
If you have any tests you want me to run on my way, give me a heads up.
More than happy to oblige for the CL fam.
#24
Wow. I never get more than 12 or 13 MPG in city or 20-22 highway. My range never goes above 190 miles after I fill up! and I fill up 6-7 times a month. anyone else with those results??? Either I drive like an **** , you guys drive like grandmas or there is something wrong with the car..lol
#25
Could you drive 100M in ECO, 100M in Normal, 100M in Sport and 100M in Sport+
#27
The highway difference between the modes will be minimal to none. The only exception will be Sports S+ mode since it will cruise in 7th gear instead of 8th. The modes only affect acceleration, not cruising MPG. I know first hand... I put 3k miles per month on my car and 90% of those miles are highway. I also frequently travel 700 miles between my home in Tampa and here in NC. I just took a trip to Tampa a month ago and I will be doing it again in 3 more weeks.
#28
The highway difference between the modes will be minimal to none. The only exception will be Sports S+ mode since it will cruise in 7th gear instead of 8th. The modes only affect acceleration, not cruising MPG. I know first hand... I put 3k miles per month on my car and 90% of those miles are highway. I also frequently travel 700 miles between my home in Tampa and here in NC. I just took a trip to Tampa a month ago and I will be doing it again in 3 more weeks.
However, with the car being a different model year as well as brand new and not broken in yet, I'd be interested in seeing potential differences if any exist.
I only asked since it's not often we can conduct any test on something brand new with 1 digit on its odometer.
Also if you're coming from Tampa and it's not too outta your way, stop by ATL and say hi!
#29
I wouldn't be surprised in minimal difference between all modes.
However, with the car being a different model year as well as brand new and not broken in yet, I'd be interested in seeing potential differences if any exist.
I only asked since it's not often we can conduct any test on something brand new with 1 digit on its odometer.
Also if you're coming from Tampa and it's not too outta your way, stop by ATL and say hi!
However, with the car being a different model year as well as brand new and not broken in yet, I'd be interested in seeing potential differences if any exist.
I only asked since it's not often we can conduct any test on something brand new with 1 digit on its odometer.
Also if you're coming from Tampa and it's not too outta your way, stop by ATL and say hi!
#30
If I were you, I wouldn't cruise those 400 miles. If you're picking the car up new then I'd fluctuate my driving speeds due to engine break in. Just getting on the highway and cruising isn't really recommended. Gratz on your new car, you're going to love it!