Pat,
Consider yourself lucky with your gas mileage. My 2002 Touring Edition would normally get ~15 MPG (70% city, 30% highway miles).
Is your ECM (engine computer) flashed with the latest software? The latest software was meant to address (slightly) transmission shift quality and mileage issues. My ECM reflash bumped my mileage to ~17 MPG. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it helped... Driving style is the most significant factor for mileage. Using the cruise control helps immensely on PTs. On my long trips, the PT would get ~26 MPG @ 70 MPH with the air conditioning on the whole time when using the cruise control.
EPA mileage numbers don't mean squat when translating to "real-world driving." I believe an automatic PT was rated at 20 MPG city, 25 MPG highway. Clearly, I never made my city number, but I beat my highway number.
Check your PCV valve. PT Do-It-Yourself has a great How-To section on how to change your own spark plugs. This will save you a lot of money!
My dealer was very sympathetic to my concerns about mileage. They replaced my spark plugs under warranty (they were a bit off spec) and reflashed my ECM with the latest software. With no codes to troubleshoot and everything else seemingly ok, I think this was the best they could do.
I think basic maintenance and a lighter foot go a long way... LOL
But, where's the fun in that? (The light foot, that is...)
You can also clean out your throttle body. It may not help much, but the amount of carbon you will clean out is unreal!
Let us know how it turns out.
Scott
P.S.-- My new (now 5000 miles) PT Turbo is getting about the same mileage as my Touring Edition did.
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