Trip from Olympia Washington to La Paz BCS Mexico

mmcclaskey

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May 28, 2024
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Olympia, WA
This is my first post on this forum. I purchased in the first batch, a Land Cruiser First Edition. The reason for the FE was small screen in the 1958 and I didn’t like the headlights of the Land Cruiser Edition.
I tried to purchase the LC in La Paz but the dealer told me it wasn’t going to be available in Mexico.
I got 16 to 18 mpg driving around Olympia, maybe about 35% freeway driving.
I replaced the stock 265/70-18 tires with BFG AT 275/70-18 KO3.
On November 19th I left for La Paz 2200 miles away. My route was Olympia I5 south skirting LA then over to Palm Springs to cross the border at Mexicali to San Felipe to Guerrero Negro to Santa Rosalia to La Paz.
I had no issues with the LC it drove beautifully and performed superbly. The power is more than antiquate.
My big issue is gas mileage and small gas tank. On my first stop in Oregon, I got 14.2 MPG. Now I drive at 75 and expected to lose some for the BFG tires. The mileage was 14 to 15 the entire trip.
Now this is not a problem in the most of the US but in MX it can be a problem in certain areas. The stretch between San Felipe to Guerrero Negro is 300 miles and there is sometimes a gas station open half way. I had to slow down to 50 mph just to be sure I made it.
FYI, I made the same trip 2 years earlier with my GMC AT4X. This 420 HP V8 usually got 18 mpg at 75 and had a 400 plus tank. I never got less than 16 mpg which was in California central valley at 80+ just to keep up with the other traffic.
Now this is not a problem because the LC is staying in La Paz and I won’t have range anxiety issues. But this LC should have a larger tank like it does in other markets and why does the hybrid get so poor mileage. I have two high horsepower vehicles that get much better mileage.
 
I was just in San Jose two weeks ago hanging at Flora Farms and was wondering about this. Thanks for the post.

I grew up in Texas; I’ve never been to Monterrey despite its relative proximity because everyone I knew both Mexican and American said to never drive the highways in northern Mexico. This would have been late 80s/early 90s and I haven’t thought much of it since I moved to Colorado. But BCS made me wonder. You feel OK about road safety?
 
I read on this forum somewhere that the milage gets better over time. How many miles did you have on the truck when you started out? Your MPG is about the same as my twin turbo V6 with a lift and 285/75 Toyo AT III's and I would expect it to be much better.
 
It almost sounds like you might still be in the break in period? Folks are reporting better mpg after the 1000 - 2000 mile period. I'm hovering about 20 mpg myself, stock tires and variable in town and hwy. I do appear to get better mpg around town, my thoughts are that is more when the hybrid part kicks in.
 
Also don't trust the display on your dash. The real calculation is at the pump. My display says I am getting 16 mpg but in reality when I filled up yesterday I am getting around 19mpg.
 
I was just in San Jose two weeks ago hanging at Flora Farms and was wondering about this. Thanks for the post.

I grew up in Texas; I’ve never been to Monterrey despite its relative proximity because everyone I knew both Mexican and American said to never drive the highways in northern Mexico. This would have been late 80s/early 90s and I haven’t thought much of it since I moved to Colorado. But BCS made me wonder. You feel OK about road safety?
I've been going to La Paz for 15 years. I've driven 7 or 8 times in Baja and Baja Sur. I feel completely safe and safer than Seattle Tacoma. The only time I had any trouble is I got robbed in Oakland, CA. I wouldn't do an evening out in Tijuana but otherwise no problem.
 
I read on this forum somewhere that the milage gets better over time. How many miles did you have on the truck when you started out? Your MPG is about the same as my twin turbo V6 with a lift and 285/75 Toyo AT III's and I would expect it to be much better.
3500 miles when I started. I'm getting 12 mpg by the gauge driving around La Paz, but only very short trips.
 
3500 miles when I started. I'm getting 12 mpg by the gauge driving around La Paz, but only very short trips.
Is fuel quality an issue in Mexico? I remember years ago reading about Baja riders cautioning about finding high octane (Pemex) fuel for dirt bikes.
 
I'm not sure what the threshold was, but I think it was after the first 1,000 miles which you were well past. I live in San Diego and used to drive to Baja a lot when I was a kid. I'm too worried about violence and theft. I was told by a Mexican friend of mine to never drive a nice car or truck. Sounds like you have not experienced anything like that.
 
Really strange on the MPG's. I go by the dashboard for my mileage. I have the FE as well. I get 21 regularly as long as it's not a trip of less than 5 miles. Then it is reading lower. On longer trips on interstate doing 65-70 it shows about 23-24.
I have Nitto Grapplers at stock size 265/70/18. I would be surprised KO3's could reduce MPG by that much.
Are you in Sport mode the entire time? I do stay in ECO on highway and even around town most of time. Almost never use Sport.
 
Really strange on the MPG's. I go by the dashboard for my mileage. I have the FE as well. I get 21 regularly as long as it's not a trip of less than 5 miles. Then it is reading lower. On longer trips on interstate doing 65-70 it shows about 23-24.
I have Nitto Grapplers at stock size 265/70/18. I would be surprised KO3's could reduce MPG by that much.
Are you in Sport mode the entire time? I do stay in ECO on highway and even around town most of time. Almost never use Sport.
Normal and eco only. I guess I have too heavy of a foot. I can’t explain the reason for my poor mileage. I do have a GMC AT4X and a cayenne turbo and I have no problem getting 18+ and I guarantee I have a heavy foot in them.
 
I believe the heavy foot can really eat up the gas in the LC250. More so than in other vehicles it seems. I will notice on shorter trips, a few quick accelerations to show off and the mileage has dropped by 5+ mpg's. It is substantial. Got to stay humble and slow and just be happy knowing you could punch it....but don't. 😂
 
The same is true for the GX. Heavy acceleration really drives down the MPG. Fortunately I didn’t buy it for economy.
 
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