2001 PT Cruiser Limited Edition

I just bought a 2001 limited edition PT Cruiser
and really like it. It has 60,000 miles on it but was well maintained
and in good shape.

But the mileage is terrible - luckily I don't drive far
distance and can live with it no problem.

Any hints to improve mileage? I'm using the cheapest
gas (lowest octane) right now. Would using a higher
octane help? Most of my driving is done in the city
rather than on the freeways.


Thanks
CJ

I get about 18 city and 22 highway on my 01 Limited. I always use Mobil 1
5W-30 oil. Other than keeping the weight of the vehicle down, using low
rolling resistance tires inflated to 36 lb and conservative driving there is
not much else you can do to improve its fuel economy. Chrysler did a poor
job in this area with the Cruiser. Our mini-van with the same transmission
but a 3.8 V6 does better!!!!!

On May 7, 9:39 am, Citizen Jimserac > wrote:
> I just bought a 2001 limited edition PT Cruiser
> and really like it. It has 60,000 miles on it but was well maintained
> and in good shape.
>
> But the mileage is terrible - luckily I don't drive far
> distance and can live with it no problem.
>
> Any hints to improve mileage? I'm using the cheapest
> gas (lowest octane) right now. Would using a higher
> octane help? Most of my driving is done in the city
> rather than on the freeways.
>
> Thanks
> CJ

No. Use the grade your owner's manual recommends as long as the
engine isn't knocking. In fact, some sources say you get lower
mileage on higher octane in an engine not designed for it.

Follow the usual ideas for mileage: Check tire inflation, remove
unnecessary weight, don't carry anything on the roof, smooth starts,
brake early, reduce your speed, combine trips, reduce idling times, ...

"Lloyd" > wrote in message
...
> On May 7, 9:39 am, Citizen Jimserac > wrote:
>> I just bought a 2001 limited edition PT Cruiser
>> and really like it. It has 60,000 miles on it but was well maintained
>> and in good shape.
>>
>> But the mileage is terrible - luckily I don't drive far
>> distance and can live with it no problem.
>>
>> Any hints to improve mileage? I'm using the cheapest
>> gas (lowest octane) right now. Would using a higher
>> octane help? Most of my driving is done in the city
>> rather than on the freeways.
>>
>> Thanks
>> CJ
>
> No. Use the grade your owner's manual recommends as long as the
> engine isn't knocking. In fact, some sources say you get lower
> mileage on higher octane in an engine not designed for it.
>
> Follow the usual ideas for mileage: Check tire inflation, remove
> unnecessary weight, don't carry anything on the roof, smooth starts,
> brake early, reduce your speed, combine trips, reduce idling times, ...

Also how long has it been since it had a complete tuneup?

On May 7, 9:32*pm, Steve B. > wrote:

> I have a '95 Fleetwood with a 300HP LT1 8cyl engine that gets better
> mileage than that. *How can a PT manage to use so much gas?
>
> * * * * * Steve B.


Under powered and overweight.

On Wed, 7 May 2008 13:39:35 UTC, Citizen Jimserac >
wrote:

>
> I just bought a 2001 limited edition PT Cruiser
> and really like it. It has 60,000 miles on it but was well maintained
> and in good shape.
>
> But the mileage is terrible - luckily I don't drive far
> distance and can live with it no problem.
>
> Any hints to improve mileage? I'm using the cheapest
> gas (lowest octane) right now. Would using a higher
> octane help? Most of my driving is done in the city
> rather than on the freeways.
>
>
> Thanks
> CJ
CJ,
After two PT's, a 2003 sedan and a 2005, we went with the Caliber. We
never got over 22 with either car, we used Mobil1 synthetic, the K&N
oil filter and still, nada! That transmission is the culprit, if it
had the CVT transmission it would get a lot better mileage.
--

On May 8, 9:16*am, "Pete E. Kruzer" > wrote:
> On May 7, 9:32*pm, Steve B. > wrote:
>
> > I have a '95 Fleetwood with a 300HP LT1 8cyl engine that gets better
> > mileage than that. *How can a PT manage to use so much gas?
>
> > * * * * * Steve B.
>
> Under powered and overweight.

The PT gas mileage is bad because Chrysler (DaimlerChrysler) got the
PT classified as a truck. As a truck, Chrysler (DaimlerChrysler) did
not HAVE to make the PT get good fuel mileage. At 18 mpg it did not
bring down the CAFE for autos and actually increased the CAFE for
trucks.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...79/ai_54051112

I have the same car. I love it, it's cute. Drives fine. Low
maintenance except for brakes (eats through them.)

We're just stuck with the gas guzzling.

It is heavy I think. Small engine for such a car. Tranny may suck too.

Eventually I'll get something that is better on the gas. Haven't found
anything I like though. Hoping for the electric revolution to catch up.
I'd own a Prius if it wasn't so ugly. Boring.

When I bought it in 2000 a tank was $25. Now it's $55. Just didn't
care then. I cared, just didn't worry about it.

Won't buy another one. Probably won't by anything Chrysler/Dodge. Need
to support car companies that are trying harder to get green.

Citizen Jimserac wrote:
> I just bought a 2001 limited edition PT Cruiser
> and really like it. It has 60,000 miles on it but was well maintained
> and in good shape.
>
> But the mileage is terrible - luckily I don't drive far
> distance and can live with it no problem.
>
> Any hints to improve mileage? I'm using the cheapest
> gas (lowest octane) right now. Would using a higher
> octane help? Most of my driving is done in the city
> rather than on the freeways.
>
>
> Thanks
> CJ

On Mon, 12 May 2008 17:33:04 UTC, "Just Me (remove <nospam> to reply)"
> wrote:

> I have the same car. I love it, it's cute. Drives fine. Low
> maintenance except for brakes (eats through them.)
>
> We're just stuck with the gas guzzling.
>
> It is heavy I think. Small engine for such a car. Tranny may suck too.
>
> Eventually I'll get something that is better on the gas. Haven't found
> anything I like though. Hoping for the electric revolution to catch up.
> I'd own a Prius if it wasn't so ugly. Boring.
>
> When I bought it in 2000 a tank was $25. Now it's $55. Just didn't
> care then. I cared, just didn't worry about it.
>
> Won't buy another one. Probably won't by anything Chrysler/Dodge. Need
> to support car companies that are trying harder to get green.

Same here with two PT Cruisers, a 2003 base Sedan and later a 2005
Convertible. Never could get over 21-22mgp and most times 17-19.
Traded in the Convertible for a Dodge Caliber, great mileage, getting
28-29 in town with A/C running. Over 32 on the road with A/C going
65mph.
Stay with Chrysler products. I also own a 1940 Chrysler Royal that
still gets 20mpg with the flathead 6.

My 2001, stick tranny, has 74k on it. I get 21-23 in town and 26-28
highway. And that is in brutally hot Las Vegas and using AC. Keep
tires at 36psi, K&N air filter, Penzoil 10w-30, and thermal barriers
around the air intake system. I think the main reasons I get these
numbers is slow acceleration, braking slowly and early, and keeping my
speed down.

Citizen Jimserac wrote:
> I just bought a 2001 limited edition PT Cruiser
> and really like it. It has 60,000 miles on it but was well maintained
> and in good shape.
>
> But the mileage is terrible - luckily I don't drive far
> distance and can live with it no problem.
>
> Any hints to improve mileage? I'm using the cheapest
> gas (lowest octane) right now. Would using a higher
> octane help? Most of my driving is done in the city
> rather than on the freeways.
>
>
> Thanks
> CJ