Gas guzzler!

[ptjoe]

Originally Posted by JRZYGIRL

I have a 2006 PT Cruiser, base model(non-turbo). I just changed the spark plugs, wires were fine, and there was no check engine light on indicating a problem. Oil is changed religiously every 3K miles. Tires are fine. I'm only getting 21 mpg.
What could be the problem? Is there a gas filter in this car?

Try using different gas. Fill the tank, add some octane booster and check mileage again. If you had gas filter problems you'd have misfiring and rough idling, not lower mileage.
Joe

[freetobejbp]

Originally Posted by Teeter

Maybe it also depends on what you're used to? I've been keeping track for 27 years, so...

72 Chevy Impala, v8, auto, 18 mpg
58 AMC Rambler, L4, auto, 30 mpg ( yeah, whodathunkit?)
82 Honda Civic, L4, manual, 24 mpg
89 Plymouth Sundance, v6, manual, 24 mpg (Favorite, until now)
92 Mazda Protege, L4, auto, 25 mpg
95 Suzuki Esteem, L4, auto, 25 mpg
92 Mercury Cougar, v6, auto, 16 mpg (boat-car)
89 Dodge Daytona, L4, auto, 18 mpg (fun, but fragile)
02 Hyundai Sonata, L4, auto, 22 mpg

20mpg doesn't seem so bad to me.

But at 19 mpg i feel like the vegetable juice. I could have had a V8!

[cdynaco]

Originally Posted by freetobejbp

But at 19 mpg i feel like the vegetable juice. I could have had a V8!

Amazing isn't it? Ford has continued to refine its small block 281 to provide ample power and efficiency.

But from what I have read so far, Chrysler didn't do a dang thing to improve this engine since the PT first hit the road in 01.

[Carl48]

Originally Posted by freetobejbp

But at 19 mpg i feel like the vegetable juice. I could have had a V8!

[tinosa]

EPA says 21

2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Automatic 4-spd
4 Cylinders
2.4 Liters
Regular Gasoline

Compare Old and New MPG Estimates

Fuel Economy

[Teeter]

Originally Posted by freetobejbp

But at 19 mpg i feel like the vegetable juice. I could have had a V8!

well, yeah, there's that, but, then you wouldn't have new modern computers controlling everything and you'd be able to pull and replace parts on your own and figure out with simple mechanical tools what's actually wrong...oh wait, I think I'm losing this argument.

Seriously, though, even though I can't find the headers through all the computer controls, now, I do like the way it's designed and it amazes me and baffles me. There are tweaks for just about every system, just as there have always been. You just have to decide where you want to start.

[Chromenut]

Adding to what Teeter says, I found out, through using the Diablosport Predator, that the factory tune on these is a POS. You can use the Predator not only for setting up for runs at the track, but for improving the economy of the beast too. I'm working on a highway tune now to give me maximum mpg when on long trips. Next will be a city tune to try and improve my mpg there too. Have plenty of race tunes, now time for some real performance tunes...

[edsidders]

Originally Posted by Teeter

Maybe it also depends on what you're used to? I've been keeping track for 27 years, so...

72 Chevy Impala, v8, auto, 18 mpg
58 AMC Rambler, L4, auto, 30 mpg ( yeah, whodathunkit?)
82 Honda Civic, L4, manual, 24 mpg
89 Plymouth Sundance, v6, manual, 24 mpg (Favorite, until now)
92 Mazda Protege, L4, auto, 25 mpg
95 Suzuki Esteem, L4, auto, 25 mpg
92 Mercury Cougar, v6, auto, 16 mpg (boat-car)
89 Dodge Daytona, L4, auto, 18 mpg (fun, but fragile)
02 Hyundai Sonata, L4, auto, 22 mpg

20mpg doesn't seem so bad to me.

Me either , Wife's favorite car on the place, She bought it NEW,drives it some in nice weather.. 68 Vette conv..427 tri power,side pipes ,lowered compression,heads reworked for unleaded ,fuel system upgraded for ethanol , otherwise original gets 5-8 MPG average but She plays a lot around the lake... 20 sounds good to me too...

[gojeepgo]

I have an 02 non-turbo with a 5 speed. I keep my tires inflated at the high end, 40 psi all around. I really dont get on it hard at all at the lights and do mostly highway driving to and from work (100 miles round trip). I have been using Sunoco and Hess gas only and have been getting 27mpg out of it while driving 70 mph. I have gotten better on longer trips when not commuting. I never use the air conditioning because it kills the MPG's and the power.
One thing I read in the owners manual that I found interesting was about the blend knob for the heat. Once you turn it past about the 12 position and it starts to blow out of the defroster vent the A/C compressor turns on to take the moisture out of the air to help the defrost mode work faster. Even if you dont have the fan on when it is in this possition the A/C compressor is engaged and causing drag on the engine killing the MPG's. If you sit in the car with it idleing and the radio off, turn the blend knob all the way to the left. Keep the fan knob off. Turn the blend knob to the right past the 12 position and you will hear and feel the A/C compressor engage. Watch the tach too, you'll see a slight change in the idle speed when it kicks on. If you turn it back to the left you can hear it turn off. That is where I keep it and dont go past that position. Once I read about this in the owners manual and turned the defroster off my MPG's picked up. I try my best not to use the defroster at all in the rain. If I keep the windows cracked open a little the windshield does not fog up. This is on my 02. Dont know if this changed on later models.

[freetobejbp]

Originally Posted by gojeepgo

I have an 02 non-turbo with a 5 speed. I keep my tires inflated at the high end, 40 psi all around. I really dont get on it hard at all at the lights and do mostly highway driving to and from work (100 miles round trip). I have been using Sunoco and Hess gas only and have been getting 27mpg out of it while driving 70 mph. I have gotten better on longer trips when not commuting. I never use the air conditioning because it kills the MPG's and the power.
One thing I read in the owners manual that I found interesting was about the blend knob for the heat. Once you turn it past about the 12 position and it starts to blow out of the defroster vent the A/C compressor turns on to take the moisture out of the air to help the defrost mode work faster. Even if you dont have the fan on when it is in this possition the A/C compressor is engaged and causing drag on the engine killing the MPG's. If you sit in the car with it idleing and the radio off, turn the blend knob all the way to the left. Keep the fan knob off. Turn the blend knob to the right past the 12 position and you will hear and feel the A/C compressor engage. Watch the tach too, you'll see a slight change in the idle speed when it kicks on. If you turn it back to the left you can hear it turn off. That is where I keep it and dont go past that position. Once I read about this in the owners manual and turned the defroster off my MPG's picked up. I try my best not to use the defroster at all in the rain. If I keep the windows cracked open a little the windshield does not fog up. This is on my 02. Dont know if this changed on later models.

You make my brain bleed!