PT Cruiser

[Wonderjava]

i have a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser (i love my pt btw). and the gas mileage on it is poor, is there any mods for gas mileage that i can use, that wont affect cosmetic appearance? also is there an easy way to clean out the EGR system so help with gas mileage?

[cleanspeed1]

Do a full tune up, a Seafoam decarbonizing ( pour through brake booster vacuum supply hose, follow directions on can and there are some youtube videos on the subject ), change the O2 sensors, check catalytic convertor for restriction and replace if necessary, change the air and fuel filters. In other words, get a good baseline first mechanically. Change over to synthetic lubricants. Get some Deep Creep and clean out the throttle body. Make sure the timing is within specification.

[Wonderjava]

can i find all these things on youtube? ive heard of seafoam, but ive heard that it can damage an engine over time if your use it all at one time...is that true or not?

[cleanspeed1]

You add it to the gas, it's perfectly safe. Just type in Seafoam in the search box on youtube and you'll see people who did "howto" videos with it.

Follow the directions on the can and you'll be ok.

The only difference, at least for me personally, is that I would not add it to the engine oil.

[johnunit]

The only way seafoam will damage an engine the way that he discussed is by pouring it as fast as possible into said vacuum line, and even then it'd be difficult.

[MetroMPG]

First: do you have fuel economy instrumentation? Like a ScanGauge or equivalent?

"Adjusting the nut behind the wheel" is the fastest & easiest modification that will save a significant amount of fuel. Do that first, then look at the vehicle mods. (Of course, not talking about maintenance items here.)

You will recover the cost of an MPG gauge in pretty short order. (And you could even sell it later once you've made habits out of your new efficient driving techniques.)

100+ Hypermiling Tips

Get the gauge, reset it to make each trip a "game" against yourself, use the tips that apply to your situation, and reap the rewards. Keep a fuel log to note your improvement.

[Wonderjava]

no i do not have scan gauge, or anything like that. the car is completely stock and has no mods or new gauges. and i will try the seafoam to see if it works, is it meant to help clean the egr system as well? or is something completely different? i know i have habits to adjust, but im sure mechanics have a lot to do with it too.

[Wonderjava]

brake booster vacuum supply hose? i looked on youtube and that looks like something beyond my ability. you said something about adding to the gas, can it just go through the regular gas tank?

[tjts1]

I read somewhere that the PT cruiser is one of those rare cars that is more aerodynamic going backwards than forwards. Something about the forward sloping roof.

[roosterk0031]

What's it getting now and what is your normal driving. My MIL has a slightly newer on after owning 2 Stratus's is disappointed with the low 20's mpg she gets.