2024 Land Cruiser "250 series"

[Rzeppa]

I filled up the fuel tank for the first time over the weekend. Some observations:

• When full, the software calculates 321 miles remaining. As you drive it appears to adjust how far a gallon will go, presumably by dynamically calculating MPG and gallons remaining.
• When I filled up, I had driven 343 miles, and it was saying I still had 20 miles to go.
• I got 23.3 MPG, pretty close to the 23 MPG EPA estimates on the window sticker.
• It took 14.7 gallons out of a 19.7 gallon capacity, so I really had 5 gallons left. The fuel gauge was down to one bar out of eight.
• The required 91 Octane cost $0.60 more per gallon than 85 octane, costing me $8.82 more on this fill up.
• The owner's manual states that "If there is only a small amount of fuel, the hybrid system may not be able to start. The standard amount is 3.1 gallons when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value may vary when the vehicle is on a slope. Add extra fuel when the vehicle is inclined."

Yesterday, I was planning on going off road for the first time up Yankee Hill, but was thwarted by gridlock on both I-70 and US 40 due to the construction project on Floyd Hill. It occurs to me that this construction is going to affect getting to the trailhead for a LOT of our trails over the next several years. I guess for me, to get around it I could have driven down to Golden and then come up US 6. What a pain!

 

[Hulk]

I didn't realize the new 250 required 91 octane. I guess that's because it's turbocharged?

 

[Rzeppa]

I didn't realize the new 250 required 91 octane. I guess that's because it's turbocharged?

I'm not sure it has anything to do with the turbo, IDK maybe it does in some tangental way. "Back in the day", before knock sensors and MAF sensors and such, higher octane was strictly to prevent preignition for motors with high compression. With modern ECU's ability to adjust ignition timing on the fly, the only thing that I can think of is that it would allow more timing advance and thus a little more HP or maybe fuel economy. Or maybe it is an emissions compliance thing? The Car Care Nut's review video upthread definitely didn't like that it needs 91 octane.

 

[ScaldedDog]

We've had several cars that require 91, or 93 at sea level, including my GX460. Some were turbocharged, some not. Jeff has the right idea, either way. The engine knows nothing of the octane used, but it does know about knock, and that sensor can help retard timing when necessary. Our experience is that you can run these on lower octane gas, and likely never know the difference in most driving situations. I don't do that, though, as doing so seems to add more dependance on the knock sensor working properly than I'm comfortable with. No pun intended, but YMMV.

Mark

 

[mcgaskins]

Anecdotally interesting data point regarding higher octane fuel is that Lexus states the LX570 "requires" premium, but the engine is identical between it and the 200 series Land Cruiser which does not require premium. The 3URFE is also found in the Sequoia and the Tundra which to my knowledge also do not require premium. That said, the new Land Cruiser 250 is a far more modern and complex setup, so it seems more reasonable to think the turbo or other components could drive the need for higher octane.

 

[DaveInDenver]

As @nuclearlemon what happens if you ignore Toyota's recommendation for 87 and use 85 instead. Her Tundra did go into limp, although that required relatively low elevation (around Pueblo as I recall) and hot temperatures. But it does give you an idea how close to the margin Toyota runs engines.

The ability to use 85 was more in the carb, vac advance and points days. The engines we have now, especially VVT, will notice even at elevation. Now using 91, I dunno. With the older VVT engines like the GR and UR it was a matter of being able to make more power. Toyota says 87 minimum in my 1GR-FE but if you search the power and torque curves using 91 do show slight improvement.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJyd6C99_3g

 

[stusic]

Just gonna put this here...

https://v.redd.it/94h8of2e6ifd1

 

[Jenny Cruiser]

What weight oil is recommended on these new engines?

 

[DougCruiser]

What weight oil is recommended on these new engines?

0w-20 for the grand highlander and lexus nx

 

[fjc man]

As @nuclearlemon what happens if you ignore Toyota's recommendation for 87 and use 85 instead. Her Tundra did go into limp, although that required relatively low elevation (around Pueblo as I recall) and hot temperatures. But it does give you an idea how close to the margin Toyota runs engines.

The ability to use 85 was more in the carb, vac advance and points days. The engines we have now, especially VVT, will notice even at elevation. Now using 91, I dunno. With the older VVT engines like the GR and UR it was a matter of being able to make more power. Toyota says 87 minimum in my 1GR-FE but if you search the power and torque curves using 91 do show slight improvement.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJyd6C99_3g

First of all, the green nozzle is diesel…

 

[Rzeppa]

What weight oil is recommended on these new engines?

The owner's manual says 0W-20 full synth. Interestingly, my wife's 2021 RAV4 uses 0W-16.

 

[SteveH]

A rental '25 Camry has a sticker under the hood - '0W-8' (oil, we presume).

 

[DaveInDenver]

A rental '25 Camry has a sticker under the hood - '0W-8' (oil, we presume).

That's so thin you might actually mistake it for coolant or windshield washer fluid!

 

[rckhound]

Got to see Dissents in real life the other day and we snapped a shot together. He was saying it wheels better in certain situations better than his built 80.

 

[simps80]

my buddies bone stock 250 I wheeled last friday/saturday while not more “capable” than my 80, i would agree it “wheeled better” in the sense that it was far easier and less dramatic

and it was strange because it still felt like a land cruiser.

like i said elsewhere i am a fan

 

[rckhound]

my buddies bone stock 250 I wheeled last friday/saturday while not more “capable” than my 80, i would agree it “wheeled better” in the sense that it was far easier and less dramatic

and it was strange because it still felt like a land cruiser.

like i said elsewhere i am a fan

I think the 38’s on theirs help also. Im excited to check one out personally at some point on the trails.

 

[Rzeppa]

I think the 38’s on theirs help also. Im excited to check one out personally at some point on the trails.

I wonder how much changing tire sizes affects the software? Did they re-gear?

 

[Jenny Cruiser]

A rental '25 Camry has a sticker under the hood - '0W-8' (oil, we presume).

Try finding that at your local auto parts store. I've heard you can only find it at $$$ Toyota.

 

[rckhound]

I wonder how much changing tire sizes affects the software? Did they re-gear?

They havent changed gears yet. They said the only real noticeable change was a slight lag on the auto start and stop at a light.

 

[Corbet]

I think the 38’s on theirs help also. Im excited to check one out personally at some point on the trails.

you'll see mine soon