2014 Lexus RX450h ways to get better mpg?

[Hip001]

Hello all! We picked up a used RX450h for a good deal(we needed something to haul us and 3 big dogs). I was wondering what i can do to get better mpg. Granted its not a great pick for mpg (we have the Jetta tdi for that) but wanted to drive smarter if possible. Thank you for any ideas

[redpoint5]

All the normal things that apply to all cars. Primarily drive slower on the highway and avoid use of the brakes, which means anticipate what traffic is doing. Since it's a hybrid, some of that braking energy will be recaptured, so it's already pretty efficient.

Hybrids are harder to wrangle more MPGs out of since they are essentially designed to hyper-mile for inattentive drivers.

You might think about a partial grill block to speed up warm up and slightly improve aerodynamic efficiency. I'd get a gauge to monitor coolant temps and set an alarm for when the cooling fan kicks on just to be safe.

[Hip001]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

All the normal things that apply to all cars. Primarily drive slower on the highway and avoid use of the brakes, which means anticipate what traffic is doing. Since it's a hybrid, some of that braking energy will be recaptured, so it's already pretty efficient.

Hybrids are harder to wrangle more MPGs out of since they are essentially designed to hyper-mile for inattentive drivers.

You might think about a partial grill block to speed up warm up and slightly improve aerodynamic efficiency. I'd get a gauge to monitor coolant temps and set an alarm for when the cooling fan kicks on just to be safe.

Thanks Redpoint! First few tanks were 26mpg on highway but last tank for my wifes commute went up to 30mpg. The RX is surprisingly bigger in size than some other SUV in its class. The Lexus is a weekend driver or on trips when we take the dogs. In the jetta she averages 42mpg. In my Beetle i averaged 48mpg but 58 hypermiling. We almost have 300k on the Jetta. Maybe a Prius will be considered when it time to replace the tdi.

[Natalya]

I hypermiled a 1999 RX300 to the tune of about 25 mpg just by changing my driving. I bet you can get to atleast 35 if you:

- Drive slower
- Put 10 extra PSI into the tires above the max listed on the sidewall
- Avoid braking