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Today, however, I filled up when the trip meter read 190.2 miles, 14 of which were freeway, and proceeded to put in 15.12 gallons of 89 octane gas. Was I shocked! This works out to about 12.58 miles to the gallon! Last tankful, I even made a conscious effort to take it easy when accelerating and not be a lead foot. Although almost 80% of the miles were city driving this time, 12.5mpg is absurdly low. My V8 Explorer gets better mileage than this when I'm not towing! I called the service department and had to play relay messaging through the receptionist and all they could tell me was, "It could be my style of driving and I was welcome to bring it in."
Has anyone else out there experienced such bad gas mileage? Please post some of your worst numbers or let me know if you've had similar experiences.
What are others experiencing for gas mileage?
I occasionally will calculate my mileage by hand every now and then to get a better gauge. In non-snow weather, I average 17-19 in straight city driving and around 21 in combination driving. I once topped the 25mpg mark on a round-trip drive from Madison to Chicago in all highway driving.
My mileage is a few miles less per gallon on average in snowy weather. I chalk that up to the extra umph I need to get through all of the snow.
BTW...I have an AWD RX330 and I always run an ethanol blended gas (which in my part of the world is either 87 or 89 octane)
As a side note, an Acura service rep once told me that the MDX's trip computer was initially calibrated to show 0 miles remaining when there would actually be 20 miles worth of gasoline still in the tank.
gardencar: If you put 15.12 gallons into your car, was your trip computer (or fuel gauge) showing that you were nearly on empty? If not, then I wonder if that gas pump was properly calibrated? Every once in a blue moon we'll see some local news channel perform some undercover investigation on gas stations with improperly calibrated pumps. When there is a discrepency, guess you typically comes out ahead: the gas station or the consumer?
As others have said, the fuel economy seems to drop in very cold weather. I thought I also read that some winter fuel mixtures may provide worse fuel economy. Living in Arizona, I guess I'm not much help. But then again, don't you live in the Bay area? This might not apply to you, either.
Continue to keep your eye on your mileage. Allow your engine to break in a little further. Maybe try 1 or 2 tanks at 91 octane? If your mileage doesn't improve significantly within the next few months, I think you have every right to request a full diagnosis from the dealer.
Lovemylexus1, thanks for your input. I have come close to your lowest mileage results in city driving, but since I live in S.F., I might have more hills to negotiate.
Cotmc, you remembered correctly, since I live and drive mostly in the Bay Area, I don't have a problem with having to idle the car to warm it up. Once again, you have come up with what may be a sensible solution to my problem. I have only 1950 miles on my odometer, although I have only owned the vehicle about forty days, and just have to let the engine break in.
Also, this mileage is so much lower than the other times I calculated, that I'm betting the station's pump was improperly calibrated. When I filled up with supposedly 15.12 gallons, the needle read just below the 1/4 tank mark.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the RX has a 16 gallon tank, so this should have made me suspicious. So maybe that was the reason I calculated such low mileage? However, that is a gross miscalibration on the part of the gas station owner!
Every vehicle I've ever owned has been louder when I first put it in gear in the morning. So, I am not concerned about the RX.
On a semi-related note, we have experienced a number of sub-zero days in the past month. My RX is garaged at night but it does have to sit outside (facing north/northwest) all day. I continue to be amazed at how great the RX starts after sitting outside in the cold. It starts exactly the same as it does when it is 95 degrees outside.... no long cranking, creaking or moaning starts. Even my 2001 Honda Accord would strain to start on a sub-zero day.
I have definitely noticed the unusually loud engine noise, when starting on cold mornings. The loud "growling" continues for me for a few minutes. You are not alone! I've been noticing it all winter long!
I could add only 16 gallons into my gas tank when the trip computer indicated less than 10 miles of fuel remaining. The fuel gauge was touching the "E" mark, if I remember correctly.
If my fuel gauge was just below the 1/4 mark (as you had indicated), there is no way I could have pumped 15 gallons of gas into my tank.
Perhaps the problem is not as severe as you mentioned, but I still bet that gas pump was inaccurate.
Didn't take the laptop this time.
Lovemylexus1, like you said, all of my cars have always been noisier from a cold start, too. However, the RX is noticeably louder than my LS400 has ever been after a cold start, on a level with the Explorer. Like you, I'm not concerned either, just curious.
Edev31, thanks for the solidarity. Have you ever mentioned the morning "growl" to the service department, those times you brought them the RX? If so, what did they say?
Cotmc, sakutari2 thanks for the correction. Must have mistaken the "9" for a "6" when reading the gas tank specs. I've never had to fill the tank with much more than 15 gallons, even with less than 20 miles range remaining on the trip computer. And I bet that pump was off. The price was just too good to be true. It was $1.93 for Shell 89 octane, ten cents less than the next cheapest I'd seen in S.F. that week.
the top portion of the front part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors to which are attached the windshield and instrument board.
Apparently the dashboard's connectors were rubbing against the COWL. So Lexus insulated the metal contacts. Someone having a better understanding might can give a better explanation. I sill have my dashboard problem. I think my COWL wasn't the problem. I did a test ride with the head mechanic yesterday and he heard the problem and said they would try to fix it. I can just push down on my dashboard and it starts popping. It gets worse as the car warms up.
I still wonder do they ever test ride a car after working on it? Cleary, the problem was still there.
Until next time..
As far as paint flaking, thank god I haven't experienced that, even though I've been hit many times with rocks or other debris on the freeway.
Haven't experienced the tapping either, and it most definitely is not "just how the injectors sound" nor should they! Your dealer is out of line and feeding you a line. Get a second opinion. I have heard from others on this board about a ticking sound and they seem to have had it resolved. Ask starforce or edev31.
I just came back from reading the XC90 board, and people aren't just having noise problems, they're having trunks that don't open, pieces that fall off, ABS systems that don't work, entire suspensions that need replacing, batteries that die after 15k miles, dealers that don't care, and irate owners talking class action law suits . Like I said, we are SOOOO glad we picked Lexus!
By the way, I've seen a reference somewhere (I believe within a BMW vs MB topic) that says there are also many irate new MB E-Class owners who are also talking a class action law suit.
Yep, I'm glad we opted for the RX330 instead of the XC90. I doubt if I will ever buy another "complex" vehicle that doesn't receive (or fully expect to receive) good reliability ratings. Some of these upscale vehicles are becoming too complicated for their own good!
By the way, was the X3 second on your list? Only time will tell which gremlins are built into the first year's production run for that model! I have yet to see a European SUV have reasonable statistical reliability during its first two model years. (wwest, you've been warned!)
Since Lexus also has a TSB for the issue involving the dash rattle, I would guess the new builds should also have this resolved, but I don't know for sure...
You can't find a pair of SUV's much more different from each other than the XC90 and the X3. Therefore, we chose the Lexus, since the RX330 gave us the perfect blend of utility and sportiness, including Lexus reliability and service.
I have also heard about irate MB E-class owners. The E-class has not been recommended by CR since before this millennium. The bimmers however, have been getting much better reliability reports. I can't see BMW repeating the mistakes they made on the X5. Also, the X3 is made in Germany, therefore, the premium price and maybe, better reliability?
As far as the bugs on the RX, most are relatively minor, like you said, except for some exceptional cases and Lexus has been quick to send out TSB's. The problems I've been reading about could very well be dealer related and not entirely due to Lexus falling down on the area of reliability. They still continue to top the JD Powers list year after year, and in 2003, are the only make to have ALL their vehicles listed as "recommended" by Consumer Reports. This is certainly an awesome achievement.
Lexus is still tops in the reliability department for complex vehicles, and I'm sure they will do everything in their power to retain and improve that reputation, specially since American auto makers have been closing the gap, albeit, a big gap, over the last few years.
I share your philosophy about shelling out hard earned dollars on "complex vehicles." That is why the last two upscale cars we have purchased are both Lexuses (or Lexi?)
Let us know if you're posting somewhere else. Maybe the X3 boards?
Oops, I'm back from looking at your profile and see that you're posting on the Toyota Sienna and LS boards. And... once again you are posting your dislike for FWD. What's up with that, Willard?
My next Lexus purchase is likely to be the RX hybrid and I may want to wait for the 2nd year model before diving into that "pond".
Daytona.........
Rain, rain, and more rain, reminded me of Biloxi when I was first in the USAF.
Lost the #15 car due to rear main seal failure about 8PM. Offered to take wrench in hand and make farmboy shade tree mechanics temporary repair but team leader said no.
The #5 car ran until about 5AM and had multiple engine ecu failures. Found out later it was to to puddles of water in the cockpit.
FWD.....
Can't go there for fear of post being deleted.
My car is a testament to Lexus Luxury, High Quality and Customer Focus. I also have experienced tremendous customer attention and service from my dealer here in Texas - Park Place Lexus of Grapevine.
I've never had a better car and dealer experience and highly recommend the RX 330. Two Thumbs Way, Way Up!!
Thanks for the FWD, and Daytona updates. Must be nice to be retired with means! Let me know when you start posting your X3 experiences because I'm still keeping that car in my sights as a possible replacement for our LS.
Is there any other update I should be asking for now? Any ideas? suggestions?
Thanks
Retired with MEANS, ME??
I'm only retired because my wife continues to work and can suppose me at the level she sees fit.
You can find a list of the latest TSB's on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's Web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
I also checked the loaner car noise very carefully and also noticed some noise but maybe smaller. Let me know your situation.
Sorry to hear about your white paint chipping. Paint should not just "chip" from normal driving and everyday "wear and tear".
I hope your dealer takes care of this for you!
Regarding the ticking noise in the engine (noticed esp. when car is idling, or at low speeds) I was told that is was the sound from the fuel injectors and was "completely normal". I do not agree! I have even had friends in my car ask what the noise was!I will mention this again when I bring my car back for the 3 parts I'm waiting on
(and to have the dash rattle "fixed" again)
Starforce... once again, I'm so sorry that your dash creaking noise has not been resolved yet.I also wonder if the service dept. even test drives the vehicle once a service is performed! I truly feel your pain.
I myself am not looking forward to bringing my car back to have all these problems "fixed" (again) and then be more disappointed when there seems to be no apparent solution for a lot of them (despite detailed TSB's from Lexus, most of their "fixes" have not resolved the problems!).
Starforce, I hope your dealer can finally settle your dash noise issue, once and for all!(literally!)
I supplied my own Mobil 1 but the tech apparently didn't read the work order and put in regular oil--a fact I didn't discover until after the dealer closed last night. I called the service manager this morning and he said to bring it in first thing Monday and they will do it right in 15-20 minutes. So, that was the proper response and all is well. Still love my Lexus-no problems at 5K miles!
We took delivery around new year and after 2 days, we started hearing a rattle coming from the rear hatch. After a few days, we started getting all kinds of noise the dash area. I live in WI, so it does get fairly cold here and the creaks are lot more pronounced when the car is still cold. There was a period of a couple weeks or so when every morning I would discover a new sound. I was obviously dejected. When I took the car for the 1K service, I mentioned all the issues and they said they will fix them.
On the way back after picking up the car, I noticed a new nasty continuous creaking sound emanating from the rear hatch, and the dash continued to rattle, only now in different places. I called the dealer and complained. They asked to bring the car back next week. This time I asked them to have a service person go with me on a test drive to observe all the noises I was hearing. When I picked up the car after the service, the old noise issues were fixed but the car was again making sound from other places in the dash. I don't know if it's just a poorly built car around the dash area, or the service department just isn't competent at fixing this.
At this point, I will probably just wait till the 5K service and ask them to fix up the dash. I just don't have the time to take it back to the dealership yet again. I do feel disappointed and helpless with this car. I like a lot of things in this car but I just can't come to terms with the fact that my first expensive $40K+ car has all these issues that I have never had with my previous cars.
do your state's lemon laws have to say about persistent problems? Where was your vehicle built, Japan or Canada? I know that sometimes things get resolved more expeditiously if one complains to the sales manager since they want you as a repeat customer. I sure hope they find a permanent fix to your noise issues. This has not been a problem with my car because I live in the SF Bay Area. Will be planning to go to the snow country in Tahoe soon, though. Am keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck to you and keep us posted.
I did have one problem that I haven't seen addressed here. The rear wiper doesn't want to clean the top 3 inches on about a two foot wide swath on both sides of center. It's annoying becasue it really distorts my direct line of sight. It was very noticeable when I had both sets of wipers on for the first SIX HOURS of the trip up.
Averaged 23.2 on the trip up and 24.9 for the trip back. Pretty happy with that as the Forester wasn't much better and the Lexus rides so much better.
Look on edmunds.com under the Problems and Solutions for a car and see what the known issues are before buying. If I would have just come here first before buying, I wouldn't be stuck.
I wish all well.
Good luck with your next choice. You definitely deserve much better fortune with your next purchase, after the problems you've experienced here. Are you going to stay with an SUV? I truly think the odds of buying a problem-free car are improved when choosing a proven sedan rather than an SUV.
If I was choosing another SUV, and problem-free (and noise free) transportation was the top priority, I don't know what I would choose? Other than an FX or Highlander, I can't think of any SUV that I would trust as much as an RX330, in terms of overall reliability and build quality. (To be honest, I haven't researched the FX or Highlander thoroughly, and so I don't know for certain whether they have some similar issues.)
I bet most people would consider the Honda Pilot to be a "safe" choice. Well, so did our neighbors. After ruling out other statistically trouble-prone choices, they decided upon an '03 Honda Pilot. Unfortunately, it has been a consistent load of trouble for them! They have experienced serious problems with both the transmission and the brakes. These were mechanical issues that made their Pilot unsafe or undriveable on two different occasions.
Based on past history, Lexus' concern with quality and reputation, and our experiences with our RX330, I bet the RX330 will eventually prove to be one of the best SUV choices in terms of reliability and trouble-free operation. I know this doesn't help those who are already experiencing these noise issues, but many of these types of issues are not to be unexpected during the early production period of new vehicle models. Hopefully, as more knowledge is acquired on their root causes, Lexus will have additional TSBs published with proven fixes to these noise issues.
disposing of your RX, and what new vehicle you end up buying.
I am also hearing a rattle from the dash. Probably the same that everyone else is hearing. It was not related to engine as it would not change when I would step on the gas pedal. I told him about that. He is going to have my car over a day or two. And he thinks it is just the insulation issue.
I am having both the work done next week.
For all of you have RX330 AWD, can you please try this? Lock on the 4th gear by using 4. Drive around 40 mph and release the throttle. You should be able to hear a whining noise from rear. Of course, you can also duplicate this by using D. You just need higher speed and it is hard to hear it also.
I will try turning the stereo off tomorrow to listen for whines as I will be going to Clear Lake again and will be using the lockout to slow my descent down the mountains.
If the whine while in "D" is as hard to hear as you stated, I wouldn't worry about it. However, will be on the lookout for any whining!