fuel consumption LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
88The following
information is displayed when you push the
“INFO” button with the ignition switch turned on.
Each time you push the “INFO” button, the display toggles
through this information.
(1) Driving time after engine start
(2) Average vehicle speed after engine start
(3) Average fuel consumption after refueling
(4) Instantaneous fuel consumption
(5) Driving distance after engine start
(6) Driving range
The displayed values in the cruise information display indicate
general driving conditions. Accuracy varies with driving habits
and road conditions.
When the ignition switch is on, the last previously used mode
displayed just before the ignition switch is off will appear. If the electrical power source has been disconnected from the
cruise information display,
the display will automatically be set
to the initial mode.
When the instrument panel lights are turned on, the brightness
of the display will be reduced.
You can adjust the brightness of the display. To adjust the
brightness, see “Multi −display light control” on page 91.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the display while the vehicle is moving.
Be sure to adjust the display only when the vehicle is
stopped.
(1) Driving time after engine start
(“E/T”)
The elapsed time after the engine starts is displayed.
When the engine is started, driving time is counted from 0:00.
Up to 11:59 (11 hours, 59 minutes) can be displayed. When the
driving time exceeds 11:59, the counter returns to 0:00.
The calculation is reset when the ignition switch is turned off.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
89
(2) Average vehicle speed after engine start(“AVG MPH” or “AVG km/h”)
Average vehicle speed after engine start is calculated and
displayed based on total driving distance and total driving
time with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10 seconds.
To reset the calculations, push and hold the “INFO” button for
about 1 second when the display indicates the average vehicle
speed after engine start.
(3) Average fuel consumption after refueling (“AVG MPG” or “AVG L/100 km”)
Average fuel consumption after refueling is calculated
and displayed based on total driving distance and total
fuel consumption with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10 seconds.
The calculation is reset when the vehicle starts after refueling.
(4) Instantaneous fuel consumption(“MPG” or “L/100 km”)
The instantaneous fuel consumption is calculated and
displayed based on distance and fuel consumption for 2
seconds with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 2 seconds.
Note that an accurate figure may not be shown in the following
cases.
 The vehicle is stopped with the engine running. (The display
will indicate the extremely high fuel consumption.)
 The vehicle is driving down a long slope applying the engine
brake. (The display will indicate the extremely low fuel
consumption.)
(5) Driving distance after engine start
(“Distance miles” or “Distance km”)
The driving distance after engine start is calculated and
displayed based on vehicle speed after engine running.
The displayed value is updated every time the fuel equivalent
for 0.1 km or 0.1 mile is consumed.
To reset the calculations, push and hold the “INFO” button for
about 1 second when the display indicates the driving distance
after engine start.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
90
(6) Driving range(“Cruising Range miles” or “Cruising Range
km”)
The distance the vehicle can travel with the remaining fuel
is calculated and displayed based on the quantity of
remaining fuel and past fuel consumption.
The driving range display indicates the approximate distance
that you can drive until the fuel gauge reaches “E”. It is dif ferent
from the actual distance traveled.
The displayed value is updated every time the fuel equivalent
for 1 mile or 1 km is consumed.
The actual driving range varies with driving habits and road
conditions. If fuel consumption is good, the driving range will
be longer than indica ted. If fuel consumption is poor, the
driving range will be shorter than indicated.
If the low fuel level warning light comes on, refuel the vehicle
even if the display indicates that the vehicle can be driven
further.
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT CONTROL
To adjust the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
turn the knob.
With the knob turned fully clockwise, the intensity of the
instrument panel lights will not be reduced even if the headlight
switch is turned on.
If the instrument panel light control knob is turned fully
counterclockwise, the foot lights will turn off.

DRIVING TIPS
476
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger−and−load
carrying vehicle. T owing a trailer will have an adverse ef fect on
handling, performance, braking, durability and driving
economy (fuel consumption, etc.). Y our safety and satisfaction
depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious
driving habits. For your safety and the safety of others, you
must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Lexus warranties do
not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a trailer
for commercial purposes. Ask your local Lexus dealer for
further details before towing.
CAUTION
Vehicles with electronically modulated air suspension:
When disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height in
the “LO” mode and push the height control switch to
turn off the electronically modulated air suspension.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may be changed in the
automatic leveling function, resulting in unexpected
accident. For details see “Electronically modulated air
suspension” on page 437.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to consult your Lexus
dealer for further information on additional
requirements such as a towing kit, etc.

DRIVING TIPS
487
CAUTION
Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability
(swaying) of a towing vehicletrailer combination
usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding
72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.
 Slow down and downshift before descending steep
or long downhill grades. Do not make sudden
downshifts.
 Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking efficiency.
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE
YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy is easy — just take it easy. It will help
make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
 Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warmup idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving — but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
 Always keep the automatic transmission selector lever
in the “D” position when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy.
(For details, see “Automatic transmission (standard type)”
or “Automatic transmission (multi− mode type)” on page 389
or 398.)
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.

DRIVING TIPS
488
Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.
 Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop−and−go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traf fic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This
not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion. 
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the “Owner’s Manual
Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your
power steering and brake booster will not function
without the engine running. Also, the emission control
system operates properly only when the engine is
running.

SECTION 6 – 2
547
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications548
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Fuel 551
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 553
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 554
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 555
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 556
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 559
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser 561
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 562
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .

ENGINE
554
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OILCONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling
the inside of the engine, and plays a major role in maintaining
the engine in proper working order.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some engine
oil during normal engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders.
A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall when a piston
moves downwards in the cylinder. High negative pressure
generated when the vehicle is decelerating sucks some of
this oil into the combustion chamber. This oil as well as
some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by
the high temperature combustion gases during the
combustion process.
 Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves.
Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is burned along with the fuel.
High temperature exhaust gases also burn the oil used to
lubricate the exhaust valve stems. The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the
viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the way the
vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high
speeds and frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings
and cylinder walls have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption:
Max. 1.0 L per 1000 km (1.1 qt./600 miles,
0.9 Imp. qt./600 miles)
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in
mind that the oil may have become diluted, making it
difficult to judge the true level accurately.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show
any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000 km (600 miles)
or more. This is because the oil is gradually becoming diluted
with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the oil level has not
changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then
driven at high speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear
that oil is excessively consumed after driving at high speeds.