MPG Sucks!

[owls_rayne]

As I posted several days ago regarding all the components that I have added over the past year, the latest gas mileage out here in the Arizona heat is 26mpg mixed city and hwy with air conditioning.

'04 PT Cruiser, 2.4 liter, Automatic, MOPAR Comp. Spark Plug Wires, Autolite Platinium Plugs, Weapon R Dragon Intake System w/heat shield sucking air thru drivers side fender from the wheelwell. Wrapped and insulated all air intake components w/3 layers of header tape. Replaced Intake Plenum Seals.
Intake system is available from Performance Parts Aftermarket and Racing.

[tuxedomakdarien]

Originally Posted by gringoparrothead

I HAVE A 2008 CRUISER (BASE ENGINE) WITH AN AUTOMATIC. THE BEST MILEAGE I CAN COAX OUT OF IT IS ABOUT 18 CITY AND 24 HIGHWAY. GIVEN $4.00+ CALIFORNIA GAS PRICES, I'M INTERESTED IN WHAT I CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE MPG. MAYBE I'M JUST DREAMING, BUT 15-20% WOULD BE NICE. ANY IDEAS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

gringo

Fill your tires to the max minus 2psi. This will allow your tires to roll easier and the missing air in the tire will allow for air to expand inside. A K&N air filter, not the intake kit. Drive light on the gas peddle (kind of hard to do in CA). Roll to stoplights with no hard braking. This should get you close to 30mpg as long as you don't drive like your racing. Lighter take offs on the gas peddle will save you a good 5-10%.

[FFighter_21]

I was all excited, had the MPG up to 23.5 and then the last two tank fulls, the mileage has plummeted to 16 MPG! I can't figure it out. I love the car, but I am about to get rid of it, or put it up, and buy a beater to drive and keep the Cruiser to play with. I just can't spend that kind of cash on fuel. It cost me $60.00 to fill it the other day!

[FFighter_21]

Originally Posted by Teekypt

WOW!

Does anybody run Premium fuel? Also any fuel additives? The manual says NOT to run higher than low level regular as it will damage the engine, so I was curious if anybody has had any success w/running higher octane fuel. Also any additives help?

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by FFighter_21

Does anybody run Premium fuel? Also any fuel additives? The manual says NOT to run higher than low level regular as it will damage the engine, so I was curious if anybody has had any success w/running higher octane fuel. Also any additives help?

Running premium fuel in a car designed for 87 will do nothing for mpg and in fact your mpg could suffer.

[FFighter_21]

That's what I thought. I don't do it myself, but was curious if anybody had tried it. I don't use any fuel additives either, other than a fuel system cleaner by Lucas Oil Products.

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by FFighter_21

I was all excited, had the MPG up to 23.5 and then the last two tank fulls, the mileage has plummeted to 16 MPG! I can't figure it out. I love the car, but I am about to get rid of it, or put it up, and buy a beater to drive and keep the Cruiser to play with. I just can't spend that kind of cash on fuel. It cost me $60.00 to fill it the other day!

How many miles? Have you ever changed plugs or plug wires? I just purchased a 2008 and have replaced both wires and plugs, I know the wires suck that come on the PT.

[FFighter_21]

06'. No I am waiting to see what people recomend for plugs and wires.

[Hooligan]

Champion 7570 or Autolite AP5263 Platinum Plugs (.040); Crane Plug Wires, unless you have a Turbo.

[Ceit]

I have 06 GT Convertible K&N Filter, E3 spark plugs, using premium gas and I am getting about 19 to 23 MPG... Highway/City driving I range in speeds from 65 to 75 MPH-- When I ran the AC it dropped down to 17 mpg or lower with a combo of city driving.

I just put new tires on the car -- Which I am not loving - They are goodride, never heard of them..