Toyota Kluger 2013 4WD KX-R - Very High Fuel Consumption Problem

Lgoliath on 31/08/2023 - 23:44
Last edited 06/09/2023 - 01:34 by 1 other user

Bought this used car Toyota Kluger 2013 4WD KX-R (petrol, V6 engine, 3.4litre capacity, AT) a few years back in 2014. I think it was like new when I bought it since it was the 2013 model.

Didn't drive a lot, regular maintenance, pay for whatever the service centre said. According to what the panel (I mean the dashboard, the meter showing this) said, the petrol consumption was always 16L/100KM - 18L/100KM. I drove most time just in the metro area, with typical 60 - 70 KM/h speed limit. For every 300KM or so I had to refill the tank as it was like only 20% fuel left.

Service centre never said anything about it.

I remembered they once did a throttle cleaning or something, but I didn't feel any difference. They did it just as regular maintenance work (like very x months, every x km), not because of anything specific

I thought it was normal until recently a friend of mine told me it's ridiculously high and can't believe I've been driving it like this for years (and lots of money wasted!!)

My knowledge is very limited and I'd like to know:

1, Is this normal?
2, If it's not, what can possibly be the issue and how can I have it fixed?

Many thanks.

===
My friend's car is a used Pajero 2016 bought 3 months ago. He said it's about 10L in urban area and slightly higher in the city

===
Yeah my friend's car on a diesel.

Automotive Car Toyota

Comments

  • jv on 01/09/2023 - 00:08
    +4

    petrol comsumption was always 16L/100KM - 18L/100KM.

    https://www.carexpert.com.au/toyota/kluger/2013-kx-r-4x4-5-s…

    Toyota claims the Kluger KX-R (4x4) 5 SEAT uses 11.0L/100km of Unleaded Petrol in the combined city and highway cycle

    Lead foot perhaps ?

    • ESEMCE on 01/09/2023 - 09:42
      +34

      OP is not driving a combined cycle they're driving a city cycle only.

      16L/100 sounds about right to me driver dependent and assuming they're driving peak times with lots of stop/start.
      Falcodores ran at 12-14L/100 in city driving and a Kluger at a guess is a similar mass vehicle with a significantly larger frontal than a Falcodore but using a similarly thirsty V6 petrol engine.

      • od810 on 02/09/2023 - 09:13
        +2

        Agreed, i'm average about 16L/100km for Kluger Grande AWD 2010 as well (the engine is the same). It's a big car but damn it's thirsty

    • ScroogeMcChicken on 03/09/2023 - 12:47
      +4

      I had the same model for 12 years. That's the fuel consumption you get. It's a heavy vehicle with a thirsty underpowered engine. I also had the same generation Aurion with the same V6 engine. It got 11L/100km on premium which was also rubbish. Toyota makes solid vehicles that last but unless you're buying one of their hybrids they have terrible fuel economy.

  • deveshwar0 on 01/09/2023 - 00:08
    +6

    Grabs popcorn!

  • kenzstar on 01/09/2023 - 00:10
    +5

    That figure seems correct, when looking up fuel consumption figures on government website. Well the car the car is an suv and a 6 cylinder engine which will increase the fuel consumption due to more power engine and a bigger car. A 4 cylinder engine and same class such as a RAV4 will use much less fuel.

    Kluger fuel consumption:
    Combined: 10.2L
    Urban(city): 14L
    Extra(highway):8L

    compared to RAV4
    Combined: 7.4L
    Urban(city): 9.4L
    Extra(highway):6.3L

    http://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/Vehicle/QuickCompareVehi…

    • deveshwar0 on 01/09/2023 - 00:16
      +18

      Given the urban (city) claim of 14L under laboratory conditions, 16-18L seems reasonable.

    • milanoxpress on 01/09/2023 - 00:26
      +4

      More like 10~12L combined for the 2.4L 4 banger RAV4 in real life scenario.
      If you can get 7.4L/100km, then give yourself a pat on back for economy driving. It’s not impossible but achievable with 75% highway & 25% city driving.

      • kenzstar on 01/09/2023 - 00:38
        +1

        These fuel economy figure that are given are never achievable with real life figures, just a comparsion on figures.

      • Blakus on 02/09/2023 - 11:57

        Interesting. Maybe my 2017 cx5 isn’t so bad after all. Long term average (70,000km) is 9L/100. Pure Urban is 10L/100

    • ram4ram on 03/09/2023 - 22:56

      Page not found.

      Also while those values may give you a general idea, they are probably reported by the manufacturers and not 'real world'; you won't get those results in real life.

      7.4L (mixed) for an SUV is very good. And unrealistic in real life.

  • jv on 01/09/2023 - 00:12
    +20

    What colour is it?

    • Kangal on 01/09/2023 - 18:06
      +6

      The idea is to get a blue car, drive it so fast towards the viewers and keep driving past them until it turns red.

      • jv on 01/09/2023 - 18:10
        +4

        relatively speaking…

    • kaleidoscope on 02/09/2023 - 00:20
      -1

      black klugers matter!

  • deveshwar0 on 01/09/2023 - 00:18
    +30

    Buying an elephant is easy, feeding it is where the actual cost comes into play.

    • 2jzzzz on 01/09/2023 - 09:24
      +14

      I'm having very big difficulties buying an Elephant.

      • Sinnerator on 01/09/2023 - 10:08
        +2

        maybe all these bank of africa emails going around should be offering free elephants and not $50mil cash

      • Munki on 01/09/2023 - 17:51

        Ong Bak wants his elephant back.

        • Kangal on 01/09/2023 - 18:06
          +4

          Simpsons Did It

    • goliath on 01/09/2023 - 10:08

      Thanks for reminding me of those years… I believe it was like only 90c - 100c/l for E10

      • Tricon on 01/09/2023 - 13:42
        +4

        E10

        Old link but theory does not change. If you are using E10 you will consume more fuel. Sorry.

        • Euphemistic on 01/09/2023 - 17:05

          You should also do some testing in your own vehicle as well. I found that there wasn’t a noticeable difference in consumption in a car I had. The variance between subsequent tanks of 91 didn’t appear to be any different to E10. For me the savings of E10 in $ was worth it.

    • mmd on 02/09/2023 - 22:53

      Where's my elephant?

  • Muzeeb on 01/09/2023 - 00:19
    +22

    Klugers of that era are infamous for their fuel consumption. Operations normal.

    Another case of making a major purchase and doing SFA research. Every car review in 2013/14 for that engine variant would have mentioned high fuel consumption.

    The 5 minutes you spent writing this thread should have been spent researching this car before you bought it in 2014. Yet, here we are. FFS.

    • iDroid on 01/09/2023 - 08:32
      +24

      But there's still value in the conversation - I'm sure this thread has just educated a few people on the pitfalls of 6 cylinder petrol motors in large tank cars. It's worthy of discussion.

      Honestly nearly every question asked here could be answered by doing research - a group discussion is a form of research.

      I don't get why people bash others for asking questions - it's basically what this forum is for.

      • Euphemistic on 01/09/2023 - 08:45
        +1

        The point is, rather than asking a question on a forum you can pop a similar prompt into google and see if there is already an answer. In this case, there likely is an answer in the first few results.

        • iDroid on 01/09/2023 - 09:07
          +3

          I get that, but there is value for others when someone starts a discussion.

          I 100% think we should all do our due diligence before making expensive purchases. But that doesn't negate the value of an open discussion.

      • Muzeeb on 01/09/2023 - 08:53
        +1

        True. My response then is trying to educate people to do research before a major purchase. I know everyone doesn't think the same but I can't get my head around why people don't do this. The Internet has made it so bloody simple to.

        • iDroid on 01/09/2023 - 09:08

          Agreed, we should all do our due diligence prior to major purchases - crazy not to!

      • rumblytangara on 01/09/2023 - 10:44
        +5

        But there's still value in the conversation - I'm sure this thread has just educated a few people on the pitfalls of 6 cylinder petrol motors in large tank cars. It's worthy of discussion.

        The only value in this conversation is the entertainment value.

        Anyone who is going to be naive enough to buy a huge gas guzzling 4WD and expect good fuel economy, and then be surprised by it 9 years later isn't going to be 'educated' by reading someone else's thread about it on an obscure forum, they're gonna be getting their car advice from TikTok. Or not getting advice at all and just purchasing at random.

        • Euphemistic on 01/09/2023 - 13:18
          +2

          be surprised by it 9 years later

          This is the bit that got me. I fully expected the thread to be about fuel consumption recently increasing a lot, not questioning why it’s been so high since forever.

        • iDroid on 01/09/2023 - 18:05
          +2

          You're projecting your own abilities onto others - lots of people have no idea at all about cars, performance, fuel use, servicing, etc. And this is one way they may learn something.

          • rumblytangara on 01/09/2023 - 18:30

            @iDroid: If anyone knows sweet FA about cars, it's me. I have zero ability with cars. I hadn't owned a car for over 20 years until six months ago.

            Sure, this is one way to learn, but it's a pretty crap way to learn- ask total randos on the internet. I mean, don't Google car reviews or anything like that. Too much trouble.

      • frewer on 02/09/2023 - 19:27
        +1

        Well it does helped me, Im thinking to buy a Kluger in that era in 2-3yrs …

      • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2023 - 08:25
        +1

        Many Toyota engines generally use more fuel than a typical 6cyl. The 4.0L found in earlier Kluger and Hilux literally uses twice the amount of fuel that the Ford Falcon 4.0L 6cyl uses. It’s worse than a V8.

        The current 4cyl petrol engine in the workmate Hilux uses more fuel that most 6cyl engines and has next to no performance in comparison.

        They’re designed to be reliable not efficient.

        • frewer on 04/09/2023 - 13:54

          They’re designed to be reliable not efficient.

          Is there a car that has both ?

      • jrowls on 15/09/2023 - 16:56
        +1

        I'm sure this thread has just educated a few people on the pitfalls of 6 cylinder petrol motors in large tank cars.

        whilst obviously this is true and i don't disagree… my 3.6 H6 outback doesn't weigh much less than a kluger and i don't think i've ever seen fuel economy as bad as this driver's. like, maybe 12L/100km at worst on a city-only tank. not to mention that it's probably a more useful vehicle all round (unless you regularly use the third row in the kluger, which you probably don't).

        other than the hybrids and diesels, every toyota i have ever driven seemed to have a drivetrain that was somehow less refined, thirstier, and slower than similar cars from other manufacturers.

        (ps clearly i agree with you that this is worth discussion! ha)

    • goliath on 01/09/2023 - 09:53
      +6

      Yeah, I should've done more research before buying it. When I bought it, a car means a wheel and a few pedals to me… Even now I'm still so ignorant when talking about cars

    • smartazz104 on 05/09/2023 - 08:27

      FFS

      Sorry that this has affected you on such a personal level.

  • milanoxpress on 01/09/2023 - 00:20
    +1

    Toyota V6 2GR-FE engine with 5 speed automatic tranny.

    11L/100km combined fuel consumption
    8.7L/100km highway fuel consumption
    15L/100km city fuel consumption

    Fuel Average Distance
    655 km
    Fuel Maximum Distance
    828 km
    Fuel Minimum Distance
    480 km

    It’s a 10 yo suv. Just starting age for a Toyota.
    I have no direct experience on the particular model.
    But I heard owner(s) of Toyota 4 banger 2az-fe 2.4L engine cars consume between 13L to 15L per 100km when mostly driven in suburban 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 speed limit zones & some bumper to bumper traffic mixed in. 4 sp & 5sp auto Camrys by the way.
    Not a good fuel efficient car for a 4 banger running on minimum 91RON petrol.

    I’d suggest ask another mechanic for why it’s gulping down fuel like there’s no tomorrow.
    Could be some mechanical issues or just natural consumption due to age of engine.

    • jv on 01/09/2023 - 00:39
      -7

      tranny

      What does that have to do with it?

      • stringbean402 on 01/09/2023 - 08:30
        +1

        We have a Toyota Aurion with the 2GR-FE V6. Does about 10.5-11.5L/100km around town. It is 1,500kg, and that's with what I would call gentle-normal acceleration.

        The Kluger is 2,000kg with the same engine so 16-18L/100km with a bit of a lead foot could easily be correct. A gentle driver might achieve 14L/100km but it also depends if it's hilly, constant start/stop etc etc

        • _tony on 03/09/2023 - 09:20
          +1

          Came in here to write exactly this.

          Also check for broken shock absorbers. For me, having replaced my Aurion's shock absorbers, there was noticeably better fuel economy.

          I'm lucky to have my old man help me out. But they can cost a fair bit especially on the Kluger

    • goliath on 01/09/2023 - 09:56
      +1

      Age shouldn't be the reason as it was always like this for these years

  • Euphemistic on 01/09/2023 - 05:22

    A petrol v6 driven in city areas is always going to be thirsty. Given the stated figures of 14l/100 for urban usage it’s quite possible you aren’t driving with fuel consumption in mind.

    Go read up on driving efficiently and test it for a couple of tanks and get back to us. You should be able to improve it.

  • SBOB on 01/09/2023 - 06:18

    Bought this used car Toyota Kluger…….. a few years back in 2014

    It's been 9 years of ownership.

    Petrol Kluger, yes it's normal (depending on you're right foot driving style)

  • Drpepper666 on 01/09/2023 - 06:39
    +3

    lol

  • Gunnar on 01/09/2023 - 06:53

    Yep about right for that car. Family member has an RX350 (same engine, Similar weight but gearbox may be different). That thing gets about those figures in urban usage.

  • cashless on 01/09/2023 - 07:06
    +1

    Got rid of my 2012 Kluger due to high fuel consumption……back in 2015.
    Not sure why I kept it for so long.

  • John Kimble on 01/09/2023 - 07:10
    +1

    If you live in a hilly area or do lots of short trips, it doesn't help either (source: my situation).

  • FoxJump on 01/09/2023 - 08:13
    -1

    you can try inflating tyres to un healthy levels

    • sn809 on 03/09/2023 - 21:20
      +1

      Yeah, it might just start floating,
      Fill er up with hydrogen while you are at it, fuel as well as air and can go pop pretty quick from the heat of the tyre

      • FoxJump on 03/09/2023 - 21:46

        pretty sure that over-inflating the tyres actually decreases the temperature of the air inside.
        as long as it's not inflated past the max cold inflation pressure, it shouldnt pop.
        it'll ruin handling, reduce tyre life, and reduce traction; but - will save on fuel

  • Brian McGee on 01/09/2023 - 08:19
    +1

    Whatever the sticker says you should add 20-30% for real world conditions.
    Your figures are right in the ballpark (16.8-18.2).

  • killingtime on 01/09/2023 - 08:26
    +1

    1) it's normal.
    2) Like new? The car is 10 years old….

    • DingoBlue on 01/09/2023 - 10:16
      +1

      Like new when purchased in 2014.

    • ankor on 03/09/2023 - 14:32
      +2

      Like the ‘freshly frozen’ fish at the supermarket..

  • 7ekn00 on 01/09/2023 - 08:31
    +7

    Driving style makes FAR MORE DIFFERENCE than any sticker on a car :/

    Same car: my wife - 11L/100km, me 9L/100km - different driving style:
    - she will race to lights and slam on brake, she will practically floor it from a stop light, she brakes hard before a turn and practically floors it after the turn
    - me, I don't rev it past 2000rpm, take foot off accelerator when light turning red, slow take (but keep up with traffic), smooth gentle turns, etc

    • Muzeeb on 01/09/2023 - 09:14
      -5

      she brakes hard before a turn and practically floors it after the turn

      Will she marry me? Sounds like she knows how to drive. I dig it.

      me, I don't rev it past 2000rpm

      Again, thank your wife for keeping the engine healthy. Carbon build up is real and the occasional Italian tune up can be good for an engine.

      • LanceVance on 01/09/2023 - 09:55
        +1

        Italian tune-ups are real!

      • ass3ts on 01/09/2023 - 18:53

        But it's a Toyota! Nothing will ever happen! It's just running in at 300,000km and 10 years!…..yes, it's sarcasm.

    • DingoBlue on 01/09/2023 - 10:17

      she brakes hard before a turn and practically floors it after the turn

      That's how you're supposed to drive. If you need to go fast do it only in a straight line.

  • techno2000 on 01/09/2023 - 08:40

    The fuel consumption of 16 to 18 litres per 100 km inside city seems normal for a 10 year old petrol, V6 engine, 3.4litre capacity.
    My 2005 Camry 3 litre V6 consumes around 14 to 15 litres per 100 km in city.

    My Rav4 hybrid only consumes 5.5 to 6.5 litres per 100 km inside city.

  • GordonD on 01/09/2023 - 08:45
    +9

    So the OzBargain answer is …

    Yes, 16-18 litres/100 km is very high fuel consumption.

    But, very high fuel consumption is what you should expect, and get, when you buy a 2 tonne petrol powered SUV and drive it in the city.

  • Baysew on 01/09/2023 - 09:26
    +8

    I thought it was normal until recently a friend of mine told me it's ridiculously high

    Some friends will always come up with stuff like this. They will always get the best mileage, the best trade in price, the best discounts.

    • Mechz on 01/09/2023 - 10:18
      -2

      To be fair it is ridiculously high but tOyOtAs aRe rELiAbLe…

  • saltypete on 01/09/2023 - 10:02

    Your fix is getting rid of the Kluger.
    You need to go the cost-benefit and needs analyses to see if your fix is a financial benefit or just keep it a while and pay the fuel cost.

  • resisting the urge on 01/09/2023 - 10:03

    I hope its been doing mostly short distances on warmup (rich running). But is it? Maybe it has a faulty temp or O2 sensor, worn and fouled plugs, vacuum leaks, etc.

    This kind of consumption is otherwise a symptom of 'standard servicing'- where the wear items are forgotten and left to fail. At 10 years old, it likely needs a tailored major service: Spark plugs, fuel filters, hoses, cooling system overhaul, vacuum leaks, gaskets, has oil leaks… suspension parts and more.

    If it was nippy and quick, or massive and useful, a bunch of fun at least… it might be worth doing. But an SUV with limited ability to perform and avoid roll overs swerving at speed, around corners and when hitting kerbs.

    If the condition is otherwise poor, it might be best to send it to an early grave before it causes more damage to the planet.

  • Jaduqimon on 01/09/2023 - 10:04
    +4

    all the V6 cars i owned, including my current 2023 Kia Carnival V6 petrol get about 15-17L/100KM doing 100% city driving pickup and drop off kids. its normal.

    also worse if you're doing short trips cuz engine consumes more petrol on cold starts.

    as long as you don't get any dashlights, i.e. blocked CAT, o2 sensor, MAF sensor the fuel consumption should be more or less correct for your driving.

    stop start traffic kills fuel consumption.

    • m00c0w on 02/09/2023 - 13:41
      +1

      Most likely the MAF sensor is dirty. I used to own a 2013 Kluger and averaged 13-14Lt per 100 combined. Freeway I'd get 8-9lt per 100km.

      After a clean i did see improved mileage. It's an easy 5 minute job, just take it out spray with the MAF sensor cleaner, let it dry and put it back. Typically did it each time I did a service.

      • naruto128 on 04/09/2023 - 12:46

        Could also be either the pre or post cat oxygen sensor but these will show up as a check engine indicator. The error code on OBD checker should show the engine is running too lean.

  • DingoBlue on 01/09/2023 - 10:18
    -5

    It's an American V6 SUV. Normal.

  • mitt on 01/09/2023 - 10:45
    +3

    I have a 2011 kluger. I get about 10L/100 highway, 14L/100 when driving normally in city, & 16L/100 when driving with a lead foot.

    More expensive low rolling resistance tyres cut down consumption by ~2L/100. Make sure you dont have low tyre pressure, make sure you get an alignment/wheel balance done properly whenever you get tyres/brakes/suspension work done.

  • pegaxs on 01/09/2023 - 11:48
    +3

    Stop start traffic. Short, infrequent trips. Heavy SUV. Thirsty engine. AWD system… Sounds like 16l/100 is about right.

    • Muzeeb on 01/09/2023 - 12:11
      +2

      Lol. What would you know 😉

      • SBOB on 01/09/2023 - 12:27
        +1

        just another clueless EV driver :)

      • pegaxs on 01/09/2023 - 13:28
        +6

        I read it in a John Cadogan YouTube comments feed. Now I'm an expert!!! :D

        • Muzeeb on 01/09/2023 - 13:34
          +1

          Was waiting for a Scotty Kilmer reference but Cadogan will suffice on this occasion.

  • pao2x on 01/09/2023 - 11:49

    My camry does 13.5L/100km on mostly 3KM suburban very hilly short commutes, but does 6.6 -6.8km/100km on long drives.

    • milanoxpress on 01/09/2023 - 14:55

      Nice Camry. What model yr is it? 4 banger or v6 flavour?

      • pao2x on 01/09/2023 - 16:38

        2012 4cyl, ex gen service cop car

  • nnishant on 01/09/2023 - 13:11

    As most have said, it is normal.
    I have a 2015 kluger. Does the same with the range approx 400km on full tank, so 300km with 20% fuel sounds about right.

    I believe the models that came out after this had better fuel mileage, because they updated the engine to direct injection and 8 speed auto.(ref. https://www.drive.com.au/reviews/2017-toyota-kluger-review/)

    Still with full passengers the range doesn't drop significantly which is a positive. I reckon your friend either has an earlier model or a hybrid. The fuel consumption was one of the reason i got a Tesla as a daily drive now

    • goliath on 01/09/2023 - 14:51

      Thanks for sharing. Seems like it's quite normal and not much I can do.
      Not a typical Japanes car tho, is it?

      My friend's car is a used Pajero 2016 bought 3 months ago. He said it's about 10L in urban area and slightly higher in the city

      • ESEMCE on 01/09/2023 - 15:59
        +1

        Kluger is made in USA, so no, not a typical Japanese car at all. It's not even sold there AFAIK.

        And the Pajero is probably a Diesel, so not comparable.

      • KozieSeller on 01/09/2023 - 18:33
        +1

        Japanese people don’t need giant cars cause they are more disciplined when eating.

  • CurlCurl on 01/09/2023 - 15:22

    The Pajero is a diesel. Huge difference in fuel to a V6 petrol.

  • Brick Tamland on 01/09/2023 - 17:36

    Kluger V6 is quite well known for high fuel consumption. It's pretty bad at 16-18l per 100km. V8 Commodores get better fuel consumption

  • CurlCurl on 01/09/2023 - 17:42

    How are these two claims by Toyota for the 4.6-litre V8 petrol Landcruiser is rated at 13.4L/100km on the combined cycle. The V8 diesel combined fuel rated at 9.5L/100km.

    • ESEMCE on 01/09/2023 - 18:21
      +1

      Firstly
      1) Combined cycle includes Highway driving OP is talking city driving only, so immediately they're not comparable.
      2) Standardised test results are not indicative of real world results. They exist solely to allow some comparison between vehicles.

  • KozieSeller on 01/09/2023 - 18:31
    +1

    I hoping Australia doesn’t Sheeply follow usa trend and start buying monster trucks to compensate…

    • Euphemistic on 02/09/2023 - 06:55
      +3

      Too late.

    • sn809 on 03/09/2023 - 21:25

      Yeah keep your eyes open on the roads, the era of the 150 Fords is upon us.

      • SupeNintendoChalmers on 04/09/2023 - 09:32

        Crazy stuff, the bonnet is so high on these things, there is next to no chance the chad driver will see anyone under 1m tall.

    • ChickenAdobo on 04/09/2023 - 12:26
      +1

      They are already on the road. Im just chuckling "yesh nice truck but 200 bucks a tank is crazy. Enjoy wasting your money". This applied to the chev and f150 trucks i see.

  • lost in transit on 01/09/2023 - 18:37

    I was loaned one for a couple of weeks through a Toyota dealer around 2006, Jesus that thing went through the Petrol, obviously still the same..

  • Willy Beamish on 01/09/2023 - 20:32

    Doesn't sound incorrect but I'm no expert. The 2008 Impreza I've been driving I get around 8-10l per 100km I believe, can get around 450kms per tank of roughly 45litres.

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