We moved our LR3 from TN (where we have 93 octane fuel) to our daughter in CA (where the best you can get is 91). She's reporting about 1-2 mpg less in mixed driving. Thinking it's the funky CA fuel with all of the additives they use during the summer and the lower octane rating, Yet another reason to avoid the place. Comments (on the fuel consumption issue) welcome.

 

Maximum and minimum octane available in your area usually has to do with elevation. Higher elevations have thinner air and this can allow the use of lower octane fuels. (Essentially lowers the compression). Thinner air and lower compression will also reduce power and fuel economy.

 

What is the terrain difference between the two locals? I know where I live I've got a lot of hills that folks don't, but many less stoplights than others. 1-2mpg difference would be a pretty easy thing to overcome with just pedal use too. Did she drive it back in TN full time too? Could simply come down to driver difference as well.

Dave

 

Maybe differences in traffic.

 

I'd be interested in this phenomenon exactly, will be moving back to CA in two months after living on the east coast for a few years. Can confirm, traffic is absolute garbage around LA or the SF bay area, so I could easily imagine this could contribute to horrible fuel economy. At least we don't have as many hills

 

Thanks everybody for the feedback. We think it is the different fuel octane rating (again CA has 91 octane with it's special "smog" blend) and we run 93 octane here in TN. Higher octane rating, more energy per LB of burnt fuel. Also difference in traffic between So Cal and the "country" outside Nashville. The LR 3 checks out OK otherwise.