Gas-Saving
Products: Facts or Fuelishness
April 2001
Federal Trade Commission
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.
|