Alexia56

I get 13 mpg on my 2010 RX AWD in Chicago. All stop and go driving. My cousin told me about a “tuner” that plugs into the computer outlet and then the engine can be adjusted to get better gas mileage. Has anyone ever heard if this? Does it really work? Can it damage the engine?

RX in NC

Don't waste your money on those plug-in devices. Nothing but pure snake oil.

Alexia56

Does STP help with gas mileage? Would anything help other than the standard recommendations of keeping tires inflated and using premium gas?

2013FSport

iTrader: (2)

Are you using the vehicles computer for data or miles traveled/fuel pumped in? High amounts of idle time stuck in traffic will always hurt MPG's. And especially so on short trips.

I'm not sure on the RX fuel requirements but the work load of idling through traffic may not pay off per gallon of fuel as much as it does for highway use. Higher MPG from premium fuel is a result of the engine increasing the ignition timing for longer periods of time which is hard to do in stop and go traffic. So do the math on price per gallon and distance traveled if the vehicle does not require premium fuel.

As for fuel cleaners, I use them seasonally as the weather changes.
Synthetic oils help.
A clean air filter.
Clean the MAF sensor every 25,000 miles.
Tires as mentioned.
Fuel quality if required and it pays for itself. A previous vehicle didn't do better on premium but mid grade fuel did pay off compared to regular.

GL

salimshah

The issue with stop and go traffic is the abundance of "0 miles to a gallon" when the vehicle is not moving, as the average is calculated. Maybe a different type of vehicle [smaller engine, one that shuts off when the vehicle is not moving, hybrid etc].

Assuming you are stuck with the vehicle you own here are the tings I would suggest.

1. Adjust your time on the road based on traffic pattern. Moving it by 15minutes may impact your drive time by 5 minutes.
2. Keep your vehicle at its peak performance. Air filter, tires, air-pressure in tires, quality oil, brake fluid, air cooling, minimum weight etc. Keep up with maintenance.

Salim

Clutchless

STP oil treatment will make your mileage worse as it thickens your oil and is meant for old beater cars.

Try a bottle of Techron Fuel System Cleaner, the large size bottle in your gas tank.

It may save you money to run on regular gas considering the type of driving you do. The Toyota Highlander has the same engine and Toyota specifies regular fuel. They only specify Premium for the RX so they can claim it has more power. Many folks here and on the ES350 forum (same engine) have always only run regular gas with no issues.

Louczar1

I cant speak for any tune options right now. Back in 2000, i had a chevy truck that was lifted with 35" tires. I bought a tuner to make changes for the tire size change. There was an option to tune for better fuel economy in the mix of all the options.

Texasdeere

All good advice above. Sounds like you just have some extreme city stop and go driving that drops your average MPG way down. Sitting in traffic just kills mileage unfortunately. One thing I do is avoid Drive Throughs completely.

An engine (start-stop system) something a lot of new cars and trucks have now days (engine turns of when you come to a stop and restarts when you lift off the brakes to move again automatically) if this were available it would help this but with the hot summer temps the engine would have to stay running anyway for the AC. I don't believe it is possible to ad this feature to your car anyway. I also don't know if the 4th Gen RX's have this either.

Non

What is your driving style in the traffic jam? Are you constantly accelerating hard and braking hard? If so, then you could improve your MPG by changing your driving style.

But I understand that trying to drive even in a traffic jam is aggravating, and you have to be OK with other cars cutting in front of you.

Because there is nothing else you can do to change your MPG in any significant way. If there was an easy and cheap way to lower the fuel consumption, don't you think the car manufacturers would be implementing it already? With all the regulations regarding the car's fuel milage and emissions?

Randyp1234

I'd think the expense of premium gas would cost way more than any increased mileage.