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Especially since he just joined the forums today and that was his first post.
On another forum here there were several new users who joined at the same and all promoted the water/hydrogen idea. That was last month and after some people challenged them to prove their results they suddenly vanished but not before posting a link to a certain website where we could purchase our own water/hydrogen kits.
All city driving - 22 mpg
Calculated by the (miles traveled per tank) divided by (gallons used to fill up) method.
All city driving very soft, non aggressive driving ( but a short 4 mile distance between work and home) : 13 MPG at best!!!!
I have tried everything( over inflating the tires, coasting in neutral and tried once not going over 2200 rpm on a tank.....
I have it maintained very often
Its not made for short city drives. Period.
I am going to try the K&N cone filter...
Lots of work though...light on the throttle and little to no brakes...lots of coasting when coming to stoplights. Makes me think enough to give you a headache...thinking I'll stick to the normal 24mpg. :P
Ref the tank filling question. the tanks are a very standard size, and the manual says to shut off the fuel as soon as the auto off clicks. I always round it up to even money. The factory has told us salesmen that people shouldn't overfill the tank as it can lead to run off when the gas heats in the tank during warmer days, and run it out the overflow tube on the fill line. That might affect mileage. They also warn that due to it being a pressurized system, it can splatter out if someone opens the gas cap shortly after it has been over filled, creating a highly dangerous explosive/fire condition. Sounds logical. However, even if you fill it completely, everytime, the variation cannot be much between fill ups. I don't think that would be the culprit to the wide variations in MPG. I would bet it wouldn't make a 1/2 MPG difference from one to the next time.
I think there must be something else causing the vast differences. I know the cars are very sensitive to diffenrnces in driving styles, so accelerating harder over a part of one tank may affect mileage quite a bit.
Who knows! I just know I love driving a cool little "hot rod"!
Willie D
Right now I'm looking into trading it in or selling it myself.
You didn't mention how many miles it has or what regular maintenance was done on it before you took possession. My wife's aunt seems to think that all a car ever needs is gas and maybe an oil change every few years.
The previous suggestion of a tune-up is a good idea, if it hasn't had one lately or if you don't know the condition of the plugs, air filter, wires, etc. A can of a quality fuel injector cleaner in the tank might help (ask the auto parts guys). Pay attention to the recommended mixture ratio on the can and don't overdo it.
There's also a simple and free solution you might try first. Disconnect the negative battery cable and leave it off for at least an hour or more. After you reattach it start the car and let it idle for 2-3 minutes while the computer relearns the idle. After that, drive at varying speeds for the first hour or so.
The objective is to let the computer learn your driving habits and adjust accordingly. Your step-father may have driven it entirely differently for many years and now if you are driving mostly highway miles things could change by resetting the computer.
I only got about 22 mpg, but when I sold these they all seemed to get MUCH better than yours is! I would suggest a check and replacement of the spark plugs and wires. You might have a vacumn leak or an O2 sensor going bad as well. Could be any of, or all of those things. Check your tire pressure carefully and keep them near the max for best mileage too. The PT is sensitive to throttle application as well. If you drive them hard they drop down pretty severe in MPG.
My new 2003 I wrote about earlier had plugs and wires put on it, and new rear tires, and the initial check indicates around 30 MPG!! Blew me away! I'll have a better picture for reporting on the actual MPG after a 600 Mile round trip I'll be taking on June 11th.
Good luck, let us know if plugs and wires help.
Willie Welch :shades: :lemon:
Hope this helps and good luck with yours.
I feel that is about right for the Turbo and my style of driving which I would consider to be mildly aggressive. I like the Auto-stick tranny and the surge when the Turbo kicks in about 3000 RPM. The little beast gets up to 70 mph VERY quickly! I used to drag race a 1970 Dodge Challenger, all metal body, with a tuned/polished carb on a 440 C.I. Hemi. Slow out of the hole but strong at the end of the track, and this little beast appears to be turning similar 1/4 mile times based on feel. Maybe I will run it thru the local strip for a timed pass one of these Saturday evenings.
I think the mileage is acceptable for me to keep this, and I LOVE to drive the little monster!
2003 Inferno Red GT Turbo Cruiser, stock.
Willie D. Welch
aka camshot2
Something definitely wrong there. My wife gets 19-20 mpg in her turbo Cruiser in the city and she drives herky-jerky as it is.
Have you ever taken it on a long drive strictly on the highway? Even if it's a turbo you should see at least 26 mpg under those conditions.
You might try some simple things like disconnecting the negative battery cable for an hour or longer to reset the computer. Maybe it will "relearn" with better fuel economy.
If you've read through this thread you've seen that your mpg results are not typical.
:lemon: :lemon:
I am interested in your conversion to the water/hydrogen . I did get the work book, however I returned as the last two items said- best used with a caborated engine and 2 suggest that valves be changed to stainless steel as the the originals my rust.
I didn't know why it wouldn't work for FI as the hydrogen was introduced into the air intake. The valves rusting I could understand as after the engine shuts down, the left over moisture may rust the valves over night.
I have been using EthosFR and increased mileage by 20% on average! If you want info on this product go to my web site- www.forearthonline.com/arizona .
Let me know how you make out with the conversion.
Great Luck!!!
Charles
I have a 2001 Cruiser, was getting 18-19mpg, did all the things to increase mileage- changed plugs, air filter, air in the tires, oil and filter got me to 20-21 mpg. Recently I have been using EthosFR- this product works- increased my mpg by about 20%, I get average 25 mpg couple of times got 28-29!!
If you want more info go to my web site www.forearthonline.com/arizona
I love the my Cruiser- now with the increased gas mileage I can keep it.
Best to ya,
Chas
Scam alert!!! Scam alert!!! :surprise: :surprise: :surprise:
Have tried to reach someone in charge at Chrysler, but the only published phone number for EVERYONE goes to Customer Service in Bombay (Mumbai)!!! It's infuriating.
Have written to Michelle Krebs about the Customer Care VP and have not received an answer.
Any suggestions?
To find out more about yours, have you tried a local dealership that also does work on these? Some of their mechanics know the little tweaks to get your mileage up. I know that little differences in driving styles seem to have a profound effect on these little cruisers. Good luck and I hope you find a solution.
Do you accelerate it strongly, and do you gently ease it up to speed? Those have quite an effect in my experience.
Later,
Willie D "the cat in the PT Cruiser" Welch
Charles
Disconnect the negative battery cable for 15 minutes or longer (overnight if you want). After you reconnect it start the car and let it idle for 2-3 minutes while the computer "relearns". Drive it at varying speeds for the first hour after that.
My wife gets 19-20 mpg in the city on her 03 GT Turbo Cruiser, even with her herky-jerky driving style. She uses regular gas but only from a Top Tier certified retailer. It was specified in my owner's manual on my new Chrysler and I suggested that she use it as well.
Of course, there are common things to check that can improve gas mileage such as a clean air filter, fresh spark plugs and good plug wires.
I have a 2001 PT automatic, was getting about 19-21 mpg, using any gas, I began using Ethos and my milage averages 24-26 MPG unless I use the air then it drops down to 22-23MPG. I go about 5000 plus miles between oil changes, used to change at 3000 miles, when I change, the oils is still not as dark as it was at 3000 miles.
If interested, go to my web site for further information- forearthonline.com/arizona
I will see if there is a BP gas and try that as well.
Thanks and good luck.
Charles
There are many reasons for poor MPG. Such as dirty air filter, dragging brake calipers, underinflated tires, defective sensors, such as MAF and oxygen sensors, Improper ignition spark advance, low fuel pressure, etc.
I have concluded that mileage is a luck of the draw type thing, I have heard of Cruiser owners getting 28 mpg and doing nothing and like you in the low teens and doing lots of stuff. I also agree the car looks great, does have a variety of issues.
In terms of mpg, I have used EthosFR, a fuel reformulator and actually increased my mpg from 18-19 to 22-24mpg on average.
I was amazed at the results from this product, add it to the crank case and the engine runs quieter and smoother- used to change oil every 3000 miles, now every 5000-6000 miles and the oil is still cleaner than when I used to change every 3000 miles without the EthosFR.
I ended up becoming a distributor for the product and continue to use it myself-
Company is going through a reorganization so product not available at this time other than from distributor stock- should be back again in the next month.
And to add insult to injury, my teen age daughter says the car looks like a hearse and Chrysler says they will stop making them this year.
MY oh my how the world is truly changing...
Charles
schasaz@aol.com
Back in December I wrecked my Jeep Grand Cherokee it was a 1997 Laredo and it had an inline 6 cylinder, it also got like 20mpg. Now I'm currently looking into the Pt Cruisers. So I was wondering how do they do in the snow and is maintenance cheap for them? Cause see I drive about 40 miles a day and like the first 10 is highway considering stop signs and lights and the rest is mainly thru town so I'm jus wondering if the pt is a good choice for me? Also I was wondering how is the acceleration on it? does it get up and go like a v8?
I live in Dallas & although it does snow here, it is quick & over. I do not drive in snow at all.
Maintenance is not expensive.
Just to let all know here, I recently noticed a sharp drop in fuel mileage, from 20-21 mpg avg/city, to 15-17 mpg city. Driving style having not changed, made me curious.
THEN, I was on the way to college one afternoon and the little beast popped a solid backfire and began to act as if it was running on 2 or 3 cylinders. I returned home that eve, made it somehow without the computer shutting her down completely, and the following morning made these discoveries.
1) The ignition module was shorting on 2 corners straight to the block, not much spark getting to the spark plugs I'll bet.
2) Bought new module and as I was replacing it found that 3 of the bolts were extremely tight, and one was completely loose! I pulled the spark plugs and 3 of the 4 the insulators were cracked, again causing a short to the side of the plug, NOT the way for a clean burn or good mileage
3) The plenum bolts were loose also.
After re-installing new parts, plugs/ignition module/ and tightening the plenum bolts to spec, I began to see a big decrease in the fuel gauge drop as I drove. It is just about time for a fill up, and I will have to see if the changes are as good as the gauge indicates.
Just remember, these little Turbos and small 4 cylinders run HOT, and do a lot of power creation in small cramped areas, so checking them regularly for things like bolts tightened to proper specs and good spark wires and good spark plugs, and a non-shorting ignition chain are critical! ANY variations can, and will, affect the performance/mileage a LOT!
Good luck with solving the unusual mileage reports I read here. I can't help but wonder how much is mechanical and how much is human computing problems? Get you fuel mile averages over say 3 or 4 tanks of gas, not just on one, and check the tune-up procedures carefully. I NEVER fully trust mechanics to do the job right, and either do it myself, or at the least re-check the things they tinkered with. I had it in for a tune-up about 4 months before, and this is what I found, and more than likely the plenum bolts loose were the cause of careless workers.
Keep on Cruisin' all!
Willie D. "the cat in the PT Cruiser" Welch
:shades: '03 Flamin' Red PT GT, auto Power stick, with all the accessories except the mileage computer.
Willie D Welch
03 Flamin' Red PT GT w/ Autostick
Advantages:
1) a fun car to drive.
2) routine maintenance only (oil changes); no warranty claims.
3) roomy interior for a small car
4) convertible top easy to use
5) inexpensive to purchase; I paid about $15,000 for the car and it had only 5,500 miles on it
Disadvantages:
1) mediocre gas mileage (20 to 25 MPG)
2) not much acceleration, but the turbo engine probably has a faster pick up
I can't comment on the snow driving becuase I live in the southeast, but with steel rims and 4 good snow tires you should be fine. Good luck.
Used to get 20 mpg in city, dropped to 16-17 or so as mentioned in previous blog. The repairs and the good plugs, new ignition module, etc, and the fuel mileage is up to 22MPG on first tank. I expect it to get better slightly, and can't wait to run it on a long trip as opposed to the around Wichita trips this tank was used on. I expect 25-26 mpg highway. Will advise as I get results.
As for snow, I live in Kansas, and we have had a very snowy winter this year and especially last. Both years I had not a bit of trouble getting around in 6-8 inches of the frozen water. Even drifts of 1 - 1 1/2', if handled carefully, were no problem. Now my cruiser has the Traction control set-up on it, I would imagine yours does, but let me know here if it doesn't. That might make a bit of a difference. Icy roads were not an issue either, but if I was in heavier snow/ice conditions, I would buy an extra set of cheap wheels and put a good set of snow tires on the drive wheels. Rears you probably won't gain much by snow tires there as long as you have a good tread pattern for grip and moisture "sloughing off".
The main thing is, it is a fun car, and versatile interior set-up that will let you change it to your hearts content. Mainly, buy it and try it is the best advice I can give. These little putts are known for slightly lower mpg than some of the "economy" cars out there, but they drive very well, perform fair to excellent depending on what you demand of them. I love my little PT GT Turbo, and will continue to cruise it until I can't anymore...lol
Willie "the Cat in the PT Cruiser" Welch
:shades:
'03 Flamin' netal flake red PT GT w/ autostick
Running new Falken ZR912 tyres with nitrogen fill, 18.5mpg town with 25mpg highway.
Drove Rio Grande Valley, South Texas to Dakota and back down through Wyoming and Arizona total just under 5000mile in ten days.
TX-OK 23.6mpg
OK-KA-NE-IA 24.5
IA-SD 22.1
SD-WY 25.9
WY-CO 25.3
CO-UT 26.8
UT-AZ 27.0
AZ-NM 25.2
NM-TX 25.9mpg
All driven near top limit, more to come!!
it all works out to 44 MPG Canadian
at 63.5 Miles per hour, or 100KM
us old system
$4.96 / $1.19 = 4.136 leters
tiny us gallon = 's 3.78 leters
66 km to US old system (x.6215)= 41.049 miles
Tiny US gallons used, = 4.136 / 3.78 = 1.094
US mpg = 41.049/1.094 *37.54 MPG highway NOT US interstate.
Here is what other people say they read their car computer which reads total average. They drive really fast on interstates with their air on
and we Canadians send you sick gas to burn (if you believe that kind of stuff)
PT Crusier gets Greats mpg get your collector's item today get a PT
Got a friend that was a Chrysler mechanic for years. He got his 2001, and went thru it with a fine tooth fishbone. (Those are common here in Florida!) One night he calls, tells me had was buying a part, and have to enter his credit card three time to get it to work.
Naturally, he got 3 MAPS valves. My mechanical experiences include changing a tire once, and some fuses, but this was a easy one. Press the lock, release and unplug the connector. Then take out two Star bolts. (I think they were #15s.) Pull out the sensor, carefully press the new one in, put the two bolts back in and plug in the wiring.
Bingo! My in town mileage when to 26-27, and highway was at about 29-30. Two tanks of gas later, I mentioned it to my friend, and he looked confused! He said all the Chrysler mechanics know to change that sensor, (which is on several Chryslers,) about every 15,000 to 20,000 miles. Sooner if you drive in hot locations. Hope this helps someone improve their gas mileage. I remember him mentioning the price to be about $40, but sure you can find them on the internet. Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor. (He just gave me the full name, )
A fast google will show you how to install the MAPS. If this helps someone, please let us know, so we can help others get better gas mileage. Have a great one!