# 2016 Lexus RX350 better fuel mileage than 2013 RAV4? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** lexus, rx350\ **Created:** [August 6, 2018, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368 "2018-08-06T00:09:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 2:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/41 "2018-08-07T02:27:26Z")
To draft effectively, you have to be literally a few feet away from the vehicle in front of you to derive any benefit. Are you really foolish enough to do that? I suspect not, and given that you are still alive, you must have been far enough bsck that you go at no improved gas mileage when you thought you were drafting. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/42 "2018-08-07T02:58:11Z")
I would think a Cessna could be more angst and woe than trying to decide between 2mpg. My past time experience trying to draft caused my engine to run hot, plus I felt it dangerous. had to correct spelling 3 times, whatever keeps messing wth me ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 10:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/43 "2018-08-07T10:47:47Z")
[Back from another transport.] Yes, but flying would be faster and would not be disrupting traffic flow through intersections and traffic on highways and Interstates. With all the red traffic signals I wenthrough yesterday I caused a lot more fuel waste and pollution. So I always try to get out of everyone’s way as quickly as possible. At highway speeds, are there “vacuum nodes” behind vehicles? If one can get into the 3rd node, one is far enough behind to be safe. On non emergency transports, without getting too close I can feel less wind resistance and hear less air passing over the vehicle and gain some benefit. But closer would beven less wind resistance. There istill enough air being pulled through the radiator. I am always monitoring temperature and engine RPM. Wish I could see what gear the transmission is in. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 10:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/44 "2018-08-07T10:56:15Z")
> [@Robert\_Gift](#): > > Wish I could see what gear the transmission is in. If you know your speed and RPM, it’s easy to determine the gear. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 11:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/45 "2018-08-07T11:04:19Z")
Easy for you. Often I miss changes - can’t hear or feel them. I do not know the gearanges and whathe load on thengine is doing. At high speeds, due to wind resistance, the vehicle may be in 5th gear. I back off the throttle and shift into 6th, otherwise it would remain in 5th. Would be fun to connect wires to the transmission or vehicle computer to illuminate 6 LEDs, but I have no idea if that is possible. Now to go to bed. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 11:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/46 "2018-08-07T11:10:19Z")
I agree, some cars have a display of present gear, others don’t. I have a CVT, so it’s irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 11:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/47 "2018-08-07T11:40:20Z")
> [@Robert\_Gift](#): > > Wish I could know the ideal speed for least fuel consumption/mile. For most cars it’s the slowest speed you can maintain in top gear without lugging the engine (or thereabouts). For most cars it’s typically 35-45 MPH. > [@Robert\_Gift](#): > > No coffee. Keeps me awake while driving. That’s a good thing vs. the alternative > [@Robert\_Gift](#): > > I also do not use the air conditioner. It’s good to sweat! A comfortable driver is a more alert driver. > [@Robert\_Gift](#): > > During themergency transporthis afternoon, I drove on the driest portion of the roadway to increase fuel mileage. Probably more important that traction would be better on dry road, than any minuscule increase in fuel economy. > [@Robert\_Gift](#): > > Buthelectronic siren, ~14.5A and emergency lights also impose a load on the alternator so everything together ruins fuel economy. probably about a 300 watt load total for the siren and lights. Less than a higher end car stereo, the air resistance from the lightbar/siren likely have more impact on fuel economy than the actual operation. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 12:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/48 "2018-08-07T12:54:27Z")
Good estimate! I forget whathe totaload is. 200-watt siren, wig-waging headlights, incandescent bulbs and rotating reflector motors in the light bar. Wish I could replace them with LEDs. Yes, the lightbar is a wind catcher. After some long transports, if notoo tired I have taken it off. Just a few minutes to remove 4 wing nuts from four bolts. Also drivers do not slow thinking the white 2013 RX350 is police. (Mother used to call it the “halo zone”!) ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2018, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/49 "2018-08-07T23:23:29Z")
> [@Robert\_Gift](#): > > Wouldimpling thexterior like a golf ball reduce windrag? Absolutely. Use a standard ball peen hammer and pop a divot into the sheet metal about every 2", about 0.25" deep. Please post back with the results. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2018, 3:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368/50 "2018-08-08T03:31:59Z")
Considering the density and viscosity of air, your dimples may be too big. Golfball dimples may be.tter. Years ago I offered to dimple my flight instructor’s aircraft. He said he’dimple my head with a ball peen hammer. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-lexus-rx350-better-fuel-mileage-than-2013-rav4/122368.md?page=2)