Gas-Saving Products: Facts or
Fuelishness? |
April
2001
Gas prices are up, and so is the volume
of advertising for "gas-saving" products. When gasoline prices rise, consumers
often look for ways to improve fuel efficiency. Although there are practical
steps you can take to increase gas mileage, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
warns you to be wary of any gas-saving claims for automotive devices or oil and
gas additives. Even for the few gas-saving products that have been found to
work, the savings have been small.
"Gas-Saving"
Advertising Claims Be skeptical of the
following kinds of advertising claims.
Claims usually tout
savings ranging from 12 to 25 percent. However, the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has evaluated or tested more than 100 alleged gas-saving devices
and has not found any product that significantly improves gas mileage. In fact,
some "gas-saving" products may damage a car's engine or cause substantial
increases in exhaust emissions. The gas-saving products on the market
fall into clearly defined categories. Although the EPA has not tested or
evaluated every product, it has tried to examine at least one product in each
category. See "Devices Tested by EPA" at the end of this
brochure for category descriptions and product names.
- "After installing your product on
my car, I got an extra 4 miles [6.4 kilometers] per gallon [3.8
liters]."
Many ads feature glowing testimonials
by satisfied customers. Yet, few consumers have the ability or the equipment to
test for precise changes in gas mileage after installing a gas-saving product.
Many variables affect fuel consumption, including traffic, road and weather
conditions, and the car's condition.
For example, one consumer sent a letter
to a company praising its "gas-saving" product. At the time the product was
installed, however, the consumer also had received a complete engine tune-up -
a fact not mentioned in the letter. The entire increase in gas mileage
attributed to the "gas-saving" product may well have been the result of the
tune-up alone. But from the ad, other consumers could not have known
that.
- "This gas-saving device is
approved by the Federal government."
No government agency endorses
gas-saving products for cars. The most that can be claimed in advertising is
that the EPA has reached certain conclusions about possible gas savings by
testing the product or by evaluating the manufacturer's own test data. If the
seller claims that its product has been evaluated by the EPA, ask for a copy of
the EPA report, or check www.epa.gov for information. In some instances, false
claims of EPA testing or approval have been made.
Product Complaints
and Refunds If you're dissatisfied with a
gas-saving product, contact the manufacturer and ask for a refund. Most
companies offer money-back guarantees. Contact the company, even if the
guarantee period has expired.
If you're not satisfied with the
company's response, contact your local or state consumer protection agency or
the Better Business Bureau.
Shifting Gears: Real
Money-Saving Steps There are numerous no-
or low-cost steps you can take to combat rising gas prices. The most important
place to start is at the gas pump; buy only the octane level gas you need. All
gas pumps must post the octane rating of the gas under the FTC's Fuel Rating
Rule. Remember, the higher the octane, the higher the price. Check your owner's
manual to determine the right octane level for your car.
Here are some additional tips from the
EPA to help you get better gas mileage.
Drive more
efficiently
- Stay within posted speed
limits. The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. For example, driving
at 65 miles per hour (mph), rather than 55 mph, increases fuel consumption by
20 percent. Driving at 75 mph, rather than 65 mph, increases fuel consumption
by another 25 percent.
- Use overdrive gears.
Overdrive gears improve the fuel economy of your car during highway driving.
Your car's engine speed decreases when you use overdrive. This reduces both
fuel consumption and engine wear.
- Use cruise control. Using
cruise control on highway trips can help you maintain a constant speed and, in
most cases, reduce your fuel consumption.
- Anticipate driving situations.
If you anticipate traffic conditions and don't tailgate, you can avoid
unnecessary braking and acceleration, and improve your fuel economy by 5 to 10
percent. In city driving, nearly 50 percent of the energy needed to power your
car goes to acceleration. Go easy on the gas pedal and brakes. "Jack-rabbit"
starts and sudden stops are wasteful.
- Avoid unnecessary idling.
Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait. No matter how
efficient your car is, unnecessary idling wastes fuel, costs you money and
pollutes the air.
- Combine errands. Several
short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel
as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
- Remove excess weight from the
trunk. Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100
pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel economy by one to two
percent.
Maintain your
car
- Keep your engine tuned.
Studies have shown that a poorly tuned engine can increase fuel
consumption by as much as 10 to 20 percent depending on a car's condition.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner's manual; you'll save
fuel and your car will run better and last longer.
- Keep your tires properly inflated
and aligned. Car manufacturers must place a label in the car stating the
correct tire pressure. The label usually is on the edge of the door or door
jamb, in the glove box, or on the inside of the gas cap cover. If the label
lists a psi (pounds per square inch) range, use the higher number to
maximize your fuel efficiency. Underinflated tires cause fuel consumption to
increase by six percent.
- Change your oil. Clean oil
reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful
substances from the engine. Change your oil as recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer.
- Check and replace air filters
regularly. Your car's air filter keeps impurities in the air from damaging
internal engine components. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter improve
your fuel economy, it also will protect your engine. Clogged filters can cause
up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption.
Consider buying a fuel efficient
vehicle
Deciding which vehicle to buy may be the
most important fuel economy decision you make. The difference between a car
that gets 20 MPG (miles per gallon) and one that gets 30 MPG amounts to $1,500
over 5 years, assuming gas costs $1.50 per gallon and you drive 15,000 miles a
year.
Visit
www.fueleconomy.gov for more
information. You'll find gas mileage estimates and other data from EPA for
1985-2001 model year cars.
EPA Evaluation
Efforts The EPA evaluates or tests
products to determine whether their use will result in any significant
improvement or detriment to fuel economy. However, the EPA cannot say what
effect gas-saving products will have on a vehicle over time because it hasn't
conducted any durability tests. It's possible that some products may harm the
car or may otherwise adversely affect its performance. In fact, today's
vehicles' emission control systems are very sophisticated and complex. They
have On Board Diagnostic features that alert the driver to problems associated
with the emission control and fuel delivery systems. Retrofit products may have
an adverse effect on these systems.
Devices Tested
by EPA
The following list categorizes various types of "gas-saving"
products, explains how they're used and gives product names. Those
with asterisks may save measurable, but small, amounts of gas. All
others have been found not to increase fuel economy.
Air Bleed Devices. These
devices bleed air into the carburetor. They usually are installed in the
Positive Crankcase Ventilation line or as a replacement for idle-mixture
screws.
The EPA has evaluated the following
products: ADAKS Vacuum Breaker Air Bleed; Air-Jet Air Bleed; Aquablast Wyman
Valve Air Bleed; Auto-Miser; Ball-Matic Air Bleed; Berg Air Bleed; Brisko PCV;
Cyclone-Z; Econo Needle Air Bleed; Econo-Jet Air Bleed Idle Screws; Fuel Max*;
Gas Saving Device; Grancor Air Computer; Hot Tip; Landrum Mini-Carb; Landrum
Retrofit Air Bleed; Mini Turbocharger Air Bleed; Monocar HC Control Air Bleed;
Peterman Air Bleed; Pollution Master Air Bleed; Ram-Jet; Turbo-Dyne G.R.
Valve.
Vapor Bleed Devices.
These devices are similar to the air bleed devices, except that induced air is
bubbled through a container of a water and anti-freeze mixture, usually located
in the engine compartment.
The EPA has evaluated: Atomized Vapor
Injector; Frantz Vapor Injection System; Hydro-Vac: POWERFUeL; Mark II Vapor
Injection System; Platinum Gasaver; V-70 Vapor Injector; SCATPAC Vacuum Vapor
Induction System: Econo-Mist Vacuum Vapor Injection System; Turbo Vapor
Injection System.
Liquid Injection. These
products add liquid into the fuel/air intake system and not directly into the
combustion chamber.
The EPA has evaluated: Goodman Engine
System - Model 1800; Waag-Injection System*. Ignition
Devices. These devices are attached to the ignition system or are used to
replace original equipment or parts.
The EPA has evaluated: Autosaver; Baur
Condenser; BIAP Electronic Ignition Unit; Fuel Economizer; Magna Flash Ignition
Control System; Paser Magnum/Paser 500/Paser 500 HEI; Special Formula Ignition
Advance Springs.
Fuel Line Devices (heaters or
coolers). These devices heat the fuel before it enters the carburetor.
Usually, the fuel is heated by the engine coolant or by the exhaust or
electrical system.
The EPA has evaluated: FuelXpander; Gas
Meiser I; Greer Fuel Preheater; Jacona Fuel System; Optimizer; Russell
Fuelmiser.
Fuel Line Devices (magnets).
These magnetic devices, clamped to the outside of the fuel line or
installed in the fuel line, claim to change the molecular structure of
gasoline.
The EPA has evaluated: PETRO-MIZER;
POLARION-X; Super-Mag Fuel Extender; Wickliff Polarizer [fuel line
magnet/intake air magnet].
Fuel Line Devices
(metallic). Typically, these devices contain several dissimilar metals
that are installed in the fuel line, supposedly causing ionization of the
fuel.
The EPA has evaluated: Malpassi Filter
King [fuel pressure regulator]; Moleculetor. Mixture Enhancers (under the
carburetor). These devices are mounted between the carburetor and intake
manifold and supposedly enhance the mixing or vaporization of the air/fuel
mixture. The EPA has evaluated: Energy Gas Saver; Environmental Fuel Saver;
Gas Saving and Emission Control Improvement Device; Glynn-50; Hydro-Catalyst
Pre-Combustion Catalyst System; PETROMIZER SYSTEM; Sav-A-Mile; Spritzer;
Turbo-Carb; Turbocarb.
Mixture Enhancers
(others). These devices make some general modifications to the vehicle
intake system.
The EPA has evaluated: Basko Enginecoat;
Dresser Economizer; Electro-Dyne Superchoke; Filtron Urethane Foam Filter;
Lamkin Fuel Metering Device; Smith Power and Deceleration Governor.
Internal Engine Modifications.
These devices make physical or mechanical function changes to the
engine.
The EPA has evaluated: ACDS Automotive
Cylinder Deactivation System*; Dresser Economizer; MSU
Cylinder Deactivation*.
Accessory Drive
Modifiers. These devices reduce power to specific auto
accessories. The EPA has evaluated: Morse Constant Speed Accessory Drive**; P.A.S.S. Kit**; PASS Master Vehicle Air
Conditioner**.
Fuels and Fuel
Additives. These materials are added to the gas tank.
The EPA has evaluated: Bycosin; EI-5 Fuel
Additive; Fuelon Power; Johnson Fuel Additive; NRG #1 Fuel Additive; QEI 400
Fuel Additive; Rolfite Upgrade Fuel Additive; Sta-Power Fuel Additive; Stargas
Fuel Additive; SYNeRGy-1; Technol G Fuel Additive; ULX-15/ULX-15D; Vareb 10
Fuel Additive; XRG #1 Fuel Additive.
Oils and Oil Additives.
Usually these materials are poured into the crankcase.
The EPA has evaluated: Analube Synthetic
Lubricant; Tephguard.
Driving Habit Modifiers.
These are lights or sound devices to tell the driver to reduce acceleration or
to shift gears.
The EPA has evaluated: AUTOTHERM**; Fuel Conservation Device; Gastell; IDALERT**. Miscellaneous. The EPA has evaluated: BRAKE-EZ; Dynamix;
Fuel Maximiser; Gyroscopic Wheel Cover; Kamei Spoilers**;
Kat's Engine Heater; Lee Exhaust and Fuel Gasification EGR; Mesco Moisture
Extraction System; P.S.C.U. 01 Device; Treis Emulsifier.
* Indicated a very small
improvement in fuel economy but with an increase in exhaust emissions.
According to Federal regulations, installation of this device could be
considered illegal tampering.
** Indicated a very
small improvement in fuel economy without an increase in exhaust emissions.
However, cost-effectiveness must be determined by the consumer for a particular
application.
For More
Information For information about EPA
test procedures and test results, write:
Verification and Compliance Division,
Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Environmental Protection
Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
or call: 734-214-4925. |