thomas1

Well just came back from my two state jaunt, Averaged 22.4 miles per gallon over 1400 miles and driving 75 to 79 miles per hour at between 200 feet altitude to 7700 feet altitude. Mostly above 5000 feet altitude. My car now has 140k miles on it and I ran German 0-30 Castrol Oil. Purple synthetic in the differentials, and crossing my fingers, hoping my tranny would not die like last time outside Salt Lake City. Yea it made it, next project move the tranny cooler to the front.

Meetya

Got back from Lake Murray yesterday. Made 200 miles. Averaging 18.5 MPG driving mostly between 80 and 105 MPH. This engine never had oil changed yet. Have GC 0w30 and Type-T IV.

p1fcl01

I've just got new tires, Kumho K21 stock size. I use to get highwat and city combine around 18 -19mpg, now I only get 15.3 - 16.1mpg. The tires feels good but the mpg is killing me.....

Lexmex

I wonder what the weight difference is offhand, what tires did you have before?

Right now since I have removed my lower air intake to my front bumper (related to my wearing in the new tranny upgrades), my MPG dropped off from the 16s to the 14s, but after I added a bottle of Redline Fuel System Cleaner two days ago, it is now in the 15s again. I plan to reattach the lower air intake perhaps this week or weekend to see the effects.

The fuel filter replacement I anticipate for Saturday should be more felt in the acceleration, but we will see.

RX300malib

I am so jealous of those who get more than 18 miles per gallon. I just purchased a 1997 with 165,000 mile and it’s a great AWD but I’m looking at 16 mpg and feeling the gas price crunch. I have no code errors but have given thought to replacing an O2 sensor since only one has ever been replaced per the records. A new sensor which is the same for both pre-sensors can be purchased from Denso for 155.00 ducks. Any feedback would be appreciated. Oh, and yes, I cleaned the MAF and other recommended preventative components.

thomas1

Are you running synthetic oil? Also change the front and rear differential fluids to synthetic. one last thing the high mileages are for highway trips and remember cold weather cuts mileage down. Keep the tires inflated and a clean air filter.

HarrierAWD

It may be just local traffic condition and driving style. I get about 22-25 mpg in Colorado, but only 17 mpg back in New York City.

Also, mid-grade gas consistently gives me 10% better gas mileage, so that's what I use. Premium gas didn't make a difference for me.

Tires are important, too. I switched to snow tires and my gas mileage immediately dropped by 10%.

Lexmex

For those of you expecting to see me do the fuel filter upgrade today, you're out of luck. I have the time today, but unfortunately I realized I am missing a small clip (I didn't order it) that goes at the bottom of the fuel filter/pump assembly, this will be postponed until a later date.

I am going to be doing a few other maintenance things today (possibly gear fluid if I can get my hands on the right stuff) and some minor electrical maintenance with the grounding wires along with the reinstallation of the lower air intake. I hope to be able to take my RX to the track tonight for some testing as we opened up last night (but I had to work).

thomas1

If gas is so bad down there it is too bad you couldnt put a fuel filter outside the tank for easier replacement, something like one of the silly ford ones that have a special tool to remove them. Maybe some like this:http://www.ibmwr.org/r-tech/oilheads...RT/index.shtml

Lexmex

My father and I back in December went over to Pohanka Lexus in northern Virginia to pick up the parts and I can guarantee you that looking at those two pieces that comprise the fuel filter gave us just as much an odd look on our faces as the the rest of the people around us, as normally this would not be something you would replace in the U.S. but down here in Mexico this is something you might just do as often as say replacing the timing belt.

My father was recalling exactly how easy it used to be to change a fuel filter in the old days.

I would do what you are suggesting, but first I'd also have to think of a way to modify the currently fuel filter assembly so that I could by pass that as it is directly connected on to the fuel pump itself.

lexus114

I cant belive lexus did something so stupid,as to put it in the fuel tank.

thomas1

I believe the filter is before the pump isnt it? It protects the pump also. At least on the Chryler products it does.

Lexmex

These are the pieces as shown by Carson Toyota http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

thomas1

Oh as I said, the filter is on the bottom of the pump as a pickup?

Lexmex

yep, but I don't like it in the tank, I'd rather have it external.