Someone in another thread mentioned things you could do in a hybrid vehicle like the LC, to improve MPG. My combined MPG is 23.3, so I am satisfied, however, I would like to do better if I can. I have never owned a hybrid vehicle until now and I really don't know what tricks or tips the person was referring to. I do know the things you can do in a traditional ICE vehicle such as driving habits, tires, etc. The person implied that as you go along, you learn more about how to drive a hybrid vehicle. I'm asking forum members to shorten my learning curve by letting me in on any hybrid wisdom.
Want Tips For Improving MPG
- Thread starter southernLC
- Start date
Never drive up hill, always drive down hill.
- Oct 15, 2024
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- '24 J250 LC FE, '88 FJ250 LC, '24 BMW R 1250 GS, '24 Ducati Streetfighter V4S, '21 BMW RnineT
Anyone can drive as they want to drive, but I don't think anyone should generally be driving to enhance mpg as doing so typically interferes with other drivers driving normally/reasonably. I'd suggest the right, respectful, and safe way to drive is one that matches the conditions of others (and, yes, within the speed limit). As just a single example, taking 10-15 seconds to reach 60 mph is fine if one is not interfering with others, but it isn't fine or safe if that driver is the outlier and causing folks to back up when their vehicle can reach 60 reasonably in about 8 seconds. I teach my kids and any inexperienced driver to focus only on being a good driver and to see on the back end what your mileage is based on that proper objective. Focusing on mpg means one is not focusing on good driving technique. They are not one and the same.
Fully aware some folks will lose their minds over this.
Fully aware some folks will lose their minds over this.
Just for argument’s sake, so “being respectful” means something different depends on whether you are driving Model Y, Prius, or Land Cruiser?
Also the word “reasonable” is a very subjective term. Some thinks any car in front of them will need to get lost, speed is irrelevant. Some thinks the minimal highway speed is posted speed + 10, and there is no max speed like we are on autobahn. Some thinks big car driving is the law....
The truth is there is no such thing as "being reasonable". Our law is supposed to be the common denominator but I will say close to 100% of the drivers commit ticket-able offense at various rate during their driving, even police offers sometimes are confused about what the law says and promote their badge into the hammer of the judge in the field.
So I would say the best law to follow is what the law says and drive a bigger car. Then you will be almost always the "reasonable ones".
The LC isn’t a true hybrid…
- Oct 15, 2024
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- '24 J250 LC FE, '88 FJ250 LC, '24 BMW R 1250 GS, '24 Ducati Streetfighter V4S, '21 BMW RnineT
No idea what this means, and the law is most definitely not meant to set a common denominator, but I suspect the average Joe (no offense intended, but surely some will be offended) will fully understand the point and there is absolutely a way to drive reasonably if one has the skill and presence of mind to do it.
I’m probably just high. Can someone tl;dr this?
Based on how much craziness I saw on I-5 from Southern California to Greater Seattle area, I am not sure that “average Joe” exists. I think everybody will all think they are average Joe, but others next to them are not. I can’t otherwise explain why there are so much honking, yelling, road rage, accidents… etc.
So back to your criteria of social standard, if a driver who is driving Model Y Sports and accelerate to 60mph in only 6 seconds, is it disrespectful? and I am pretty sure my Prius can’t get to 60 mph within 6 seconds no matter how I try. Does that mean I am the jerk? So if your criteria is vehicles specific, I’ll tell you whoever drivers a bigger car is always the respectful driver because you will always have to drive around that bigger car rather than against it
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Drive with the Side-mirror Folded?
What’s a “true” hybrid?”
- Jun 8, 2024
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Realistically the Land Cruiser along with the other Toyota truck type hybrid systems are designed for additional torque. Any benefit to fuel efficiency from the hybrid system on these trucks is minor at best and requires very very gradual acceleration.
I can run around in electric only going down hill or on very level ground at low speeds. The net benefit to fuel savings doing this is frankly not worth my time. Probably not worth yours either.
Otherwise your 23.3 MPG average tells me that your driving habits are pretty dialed in already.
1. Don't accelerate with a lead foot and drive the speed limit in eco mode.
2. Keep the stock original grand touring tires or upgrade to some rated for even better mileage.
3. Only drive on the pavement.
4. Make it your second car 'cause as an everyday driver it is what it is, a gas pig although it might be best in the gas pig (full-size SUV) class.
2. Keep the stock original grand touring tires or upgrade to some rated for even better mileage.
3. Only drive on the pavement.
4. Make it your second car 'cause as an everyday driver it is what it is, a gas pig although it might be best in the gas pig (full-size SUV) class.
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The usual advice holds true: eco mode, highway tires, drift as much as possible, accelerate not too fast not too slow.
No roof rack/bars if you don’t need them. Switch out the wheels for the lightest aftermarket you can get your hands on. Use A/C conservatively. Avoid exceeding 70mph. Even with all that I doubt you crack 25mpg
No roof rack/bars if you don’t need them. Switch out the wheels for the lightest aftermarket you can get your hands on. Use A/C conservatively. Avoid exceeding 70mph. Even with all that I doubt you crack 25mpg
I think the lead foot comment is the most impactful. Some see it as a disrespectful term so I heard somewhere that you should treat the accelerator as if there is an egg between your foot and the pedal. That doesn't mean you can't accererate quickly it just means you can't mash it.
Someone on the forum said you pulse a hybrid - that didn't work for me and to NorCals comments is disrespectful for other drivers as your pace varies.
I have found the biggest positive impact on mileage is driving with the current consumption graph on the screen. You will see what your habits do and you will clearly see what behaviors yield results. Also I find driving habits have more impact on city economy. On the highway its simply the speed you are traveling as a wind resistance trumps pretty much all other factors.
Someone on the forum said you pulse a hybrid - that didn't work for me and to NorCals comments is disrespectful for other drivers as your pace varies.
I have found the biggest positive impact on mileage is driving with the current consumption graph on the screen. You will see what your habits do and you will clearly see what behaviors yield results. Also I find driving habits have more impact on city economy. On the highway its simply the speed you are traveling as a wind resistance trumps pretty much all other factors.
Just curious. Is there another nearly 6,000 lbs, full time 4WD, body on frame SUV with over 325 HP and 450 ft/lbs of torque that gets over 20 MPG combined?
It has to be a short list....
It has to be a short list....
Some of the 6th gen 4Runners
I don't think it is about a true or false hybrid, but rather what type of hybrid. LC250 owners need to understand that Toyota designed our hybrid powertrain for the added horse power and torque, not for maximum fuel efficiency.
This. "Being reasonable" is not a reasonable answer.
The idea that I need to accelerate at a certain pace to make others happy is ridiculous. Just because my vehicle can get to 60 mph in x amount of time doesn't mean I have to do it. "Being reasonable" is subjective, and driving to match what others are doing is equally ridiculous. This is how pileups happen on interstates in snowstorms, cars pileup on icy roads, and how accidents occur when you're more concerned about "being reasonable" for other's needs rather than using common sense and driving for the conditions you're in at the speed you want.
Does this mean drive as slowly as possible to maximize mpg? No. This means that the law provides guidelines and rules, and as long as you're not impeding traffic to the detriment of everyone around you, you're not causing backups purposefully, and you're executing common sense, you're fine. The idea of having to accelerate at a specific pace because that's what other people do is stupid. What are LC owners going to do if they're in front of a much faster car? Pull over so they can accelerate at their pace?
Should we start separating traffic by a vehicle's peak performance ratings? Should a driver with disabilities try to accelerate and drive faster than they're accustomed to make some bonehead who's impatient happy? No. It seems like common sense isn't so common.
Agreed.
I’m literally at like 250 range after fill up.
Have Wildpeak Rubitreks. What should my psi be? I managed one 22 mile trip that was 24.5, but my average and range is horrible. Normal city driving with 2/3rds highway about 7-8 miles each way.
Have Wildpeak Rubitreks. What should my psi be? I managed one 22 mile trip that was 24.5, but my average and range is horrible. Normal city driving with 2/3rds highway about 7-8 miles each way.
