2 Questions: Gear shifting sound and gas mileage

[Dano2]

Hi all.
I bought a 2002 5 speed PTC about 6 months ago. Its been a great car, however 2 things are going on right now.
We moved from Seattle to the Desert here in Phoenix.

Problem 1: The gas mileage does not seem too good. I took it last week, not that accurate, I filled it with 15 bucks and with the calulations it got about 18 in the city. Does this sound like something is wrong? It seemed better in Seattle, could be my imagination. But down here there are almost no hills, long roads to drive on and better traffic than Seattle. Could something be going on that I can check for the gas mileage? any ideas?

Prob 2: Not sure if this is a problem or not. Recently I started noticing a low volume, growl sound after I shift mostly between 1,2,3 and when downshifting. I really can't tell if this is a true growl sound or a small vibration sound. Any ideas?

Also, in relation to the gas mileage issue, its been awhile since I have had a stick, I am wondering if my shifting skills are not that good. What kind of speeds do you use to shift from the different gears, like from 2 - 3, from 3-4, from 4-5? just an idea maybe I am not getting the best mileage from what gears I am driving in?

Anyway any suggestions ideas would be greatly appreciated...dano2

[G-man422]

Gas milage is about right. the average is about 18mpg. but, im not too sure about the shifting. at what RPM do you shift?

[Dano2]

man then that sucks, why does it say they get 21? I had a 87 Blazer, 6 cynlinder, big ole tires and it got 18!, something is def wrong here, or its just these little things are gas guzzlers....Im not so impressed with these cars, might as well go back to my geo metro and foget the good looks

[G-man422]

LOL, might ass well.

[G-man422]

Sorry, actually its about 23 mpg. i dunno whats up w/ your PT.

[Venomz]

I'm not certain how you drive. I drive extremely spirited and average about 18 mpg. Given that I assume you don't attempt to race your PT, I'd say that you're either shifting to early or too late, revving the engine too high or not high enough while shifting.

[tony36]

I have a 2005 pt 5speed, I keep very close tabs on mileage. I got 33 on a trip from seattle to Montana where I live. My wife drives it daily to work in town and is averaging 28. I feel bad for those only getting 18, I get 16-17 with my ram 1500 4x4 5.2. When I drive the cruiser a little more aggressive, the worst I have gotten is 25. If you are getting that kind of mileage, get it into the dealer, its under warranty. The tranny noise, the same. I learned the hard way with a truck I had. I had noise but they could not find anything wrong. Eventually it went bad, the noise was the start of the problem, but when it went bad I was out of warranty. Take your car in under warranty and have the tranny checked out. They will probably tell you the noise is normal. Don't believe them. If they tell you that, ask them to document that visit and get a copy of it. If it is documented you were starting to have problems while under warranty and it holds together until after warranty is out before it goes bad, they still have to repair it.