MPG Sucks!

[Poppapug]

I bought a 2007 Cruiser about five weeks ago. It only had 12,000 miles and is spotless. Engine is non-turbo, auto transmission, and no cruise control. We took a short trip after buying the car and got 23 mpg on the highway. I just filled up today and am getting 16 mpg in the city. My wife and I are both very light-footed, so it's not a driving issue. Aside from tire pressure and tuneup, is there any way to improve on this gas mileage?

We really like this car and only paid 9 K for it, but if I'd known about the mileage issue I wouldn't have bought it.

[Johns Steel Blue]

PT Cruisers are not known for thier mileage. They are about as aero-dynamic as a brick.

[Mean Green]

Sorry you didn't know, but if you'd done research you'd found out that mpg for the PT sucked since the car was introduced. There is no magical cure.

[ucantcme]

As John told you....Their not known for their fuel economy. Thats why you research before you purchase a $9,000.00 mistake.

If you got an aftermarket Air Filter, it may, MAY help you out by 1-2mpg, if your lucky. Other than that, your stuck with that number.

[Hooligan]

Poppapug, Sorry your first post was critical of the PT. There are many of us who either are driving 2 in the family or have bought their 2nd like us. We just like the PT and know that with the cars weighing 3100+ pounds the cars use gas just to get over that much inertia.

I get 17-19 city and 23-27 highway and feel happy about that. When I first bought it, we got 12-14 city, we now have 40K+ and I just changed plugs this weekend, I put Champion 7570's gapped at .040 like the last ones I had.

Anyone on here will tell you that the stock wires and plugs are crap and have changed to performance wires usually MOPAR or Cranes from Maggie at www.raceandstreet.com. I changed mine at 500 miles because of a shudder when I started it up. Good Luck

[Ceit]

MPG does stink. I got 12 to 16 MPG city driving when I first got mine-- Lately it's been 16 to 17 MPG with highway driving 17 to 19 MPG...

[soonercruiser]

PoppaBug,
I've got a 2006 non-turbo, with 13,000 plus miles, and I am now getting between 26-29 mpg highway. Better check out the previous mileage posts for some hints on what to do.

[WinDaddy]

Get a 5-speed.
I've averaged 25.59 mpg overall for the last 40K miles. Also, I'm not IN the city where I'm waiting on traffic lights all the time; mostly rural driving. I'll average 27-28 on a highway trip.
Definitely change plugs & wires if you still have the stock ones, that will help some too.

[Ceit]

Originally Posted by WinDaddy

Get a 5-speed.
I've averaged 25.59 mpg overall for the last 40K miles. Also, I'm not IN the city where I'm waiting on traffic lights all the time; mostly rural driving. I'll average 27-28 on a highway trip.
Definitely change plugs & wires if you still have the stock ones, that will help some too.

I put a K&N filter, E3 plugs, and crane's cam wires.

[mjb457]

Every post I see here states that the PT is heavy & doesnt cut thru the air,,,, true but not the whole story-the engine is big 4 with old technology-4speed automatic etc,,the Toyata TA is a box but does much better,,why-TECHNOLOGY- Im sure Chrysler could improve the MPG if they spend some $$ -6speed-upgrade engine etc,,you get what you pay for--its good for what it is!..