| Gas prices are up, and so is the volume of | | | | Turbo-Dyne G.R. Valve.Vapor Bleed Devices: These |
| advertising for "gas-saving" products. When gasoline | | | | devices are similar to the air bleed devices, except |
| prices rise, consumers often look for ways to | | | | that induced air is bubbled through a container of a |
| improve fuel efficiency. Although there are practical | | | | water and anti-freeze mixture, usually located in the |
| steps you can take to increase gas mileage, the | | | | engine compartment.The EPA has evaluated: |
| Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns you to be | | | | Atomized Vapor Injector; Frantz Vapor Injection |
| wary of any gas-saving claims for automotive | | | | System; Hydro-Vac: POWERFUeL; Mark II Vapor |
| devices or oil and gas additives. Even for the few | | | | Injection System; Platinum Gasaver; V-70 Vapor |
| gas-saving products that have been found to work, | | | | Injector; SCATPAC Vacuum Vapor Induction System: |
| the savings have been small."Gas-Saving" Advertising | | | | Econo-Mist Vacuum Vapor Injection System; Turbo |
| ClaimsBe skeptical of the following kinds of | | | | Vapor Injection System.Liquid Injection: These |
| advertising claims."This gas-saving product improves | | | | products add liquid into the fuel/air intake system and |
| fuel economy by 20 percent."Claims usually tout | | | | not directly into the combustion chamber.The EPA |
| savings ranging from 12 to 25 percent. However, the | | | | has evaluated: Goodman Engine System-Model 1800; |
| Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has | | | | Waag-Injection System*.Ignition Devices: These |
| evaluated or tested more than 100 alleged gas-saving | | | | devices are attached to the ignition system or are |
| devices and has not found any product that | | | | used to replace original equipment or parts.The EPA |
| significantly improves gas mileage. In fact, some | | | | has evaluated: Autosaver; Baur Condenser; BIAP |
| "gas-saving" products may damage a car's engine or | | | | Electronic Ignition Unit; Fuel Economizer; Magna Flash |
| cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions.The | | | | Ignition Control System; Paser Magnum/Paser 500 |
| gas-saving products on the market fall into clearly | | | | Paser 500 HEI; Special Formula Ignition Advance |
| defined categories. Although the EPA has not tested | | | | Springs.Fuel Line Devices (heaters or coolers). These |
| or evaluated every product, it has tried to examine | | | | devices heat the fuel before it enters the carburetor. |
| at least one product in each category. See "Devices | | | | Usually, the fuel is heated by the engine coolant or |
| Tested by EPA" at the end of this brochure for | | | | by the exhaust or electrical system.The EPA has |
| category descriptions and product names."After | | | | evaluated: FuelXpander; Gas Meiser I; Greer Fuel |
| installing your product on my car, I got an extra 4 | | | | Preheater; Jacona Fuel System; Optimizer; Russell |
| miles [6.4 kilometers] per gallon [3.8 liters]."Many ads | | | | Fuelmiser.Fuel Line Devices (magnets). These |
| feature glowing testimonials by satisfied customers. | | | | magnetic devices, clamped to the outside of the fuel |
| Yet, few consumers have the ability or the | | | | line or installed in the fuel line, claim to change the |
| equipment to test for precise changes in gas mileage | | | | molecular structure of gasoline.The EPA has |
| after installing a gas-saving product. Many variables | | | | evaluated: PETRO-MIZER; POLARION-X; Super-Mag |
| affect fuel consumption, including traffic, road and | | | | Fuel Extender; Wickliff Polarizer [fuel line magnet |
| weather conditions, and the car's condition.For | | | | intake air magnet].Fuel Line Devices (metallic). |
| example, one consumer sent a letter to a company | | | | Typically, these devices contain several dissimilar |
| praising its "gas-saving" product. At the time the | | | | metals that are installed in the fuel line, supposedly |
| product was installed, however, the consumer also | | | | causing ionization of the fuel.The EPA has evaluated: |
| had received a complete engine tune-up - a fact not | | | | Malpassi Filter King [fuel pressure regulator]; |
| mentioned in the letter. The entire increase in gas | | | | Moleculetor.Mixture Enhancers: (under the carburetor). |
| mileage attributed to the "gas-saving" product may | | | | These devices are mounted between the carburetor |
| well have been the result of the tune-up alone. But | | | | and intake manifold and supposedly enhance the |
| from the ad, other consumers could not have known | | | | mixing or vaporization of the air/fuel mixture.The EPA |
| that."This gas-saving device is approved by the | | | | has evaluated: Energy Gas Saver; Environmental Fuel |
| Federal government."No government agency | | | | Saver; Gas Saving and Emission Control Improvement |
| endorses gas-saving products for cars. The most | | | | Device; Glynn-50; Hydro-Catalyst Pre-Combustion |
| that can be claimed in advertising is that the EPA has | | | | Catalyst System; PETROMIZER SYSTEM; Sav-A-Mile; |
| reached certain conclusions about possible gas | | | | Spritzer; Turbo-Carb; Turbocarb.Mixture Enhancers: |
| savings by testing the product or by evaluating the | | | | (others). These devices make some general |
| manufacturer's own test data. If the seller claims that | | | | modifications to the vehicle intake system.The EPA |
| its product has been evaluated by the EPA, ask for a | | | | has evaluated: Basko Enginecoat; Dresser Economizer; |
| copy of the EPA report, or check for information. In | | | | Electro-Dyne Superchoke; Filtron Urethane Foam |
| some instances, false claims of EPA testing or | | | | Filter; Lamkin Fuel Metering Device; Smith Power and |
| approval have been made.Product Complaints and | | | | Deceleration Governor.Internal Engine Modifications: |
| RefundsIf you're dissatisfied with a gas-saving | | | | These devices make physical or mechanical function |
| product, contact the manufacturer and ask for a | | | | changes to the engine.The EPA has evaluated: ACDS |
| refund. Most companies offer money-back | | | | Automotive Cylinder Deactivation System*; Dresser |
| guarantees. Contact the company, even if the | | | | Economizer; MSU Cylinder Deactivation*.Accessory |
| guarantee period has expired.If you're not satisfied | | | | Drive Modifiers:. These devices reduce power to |
| with the company's response, contact your local or | | | | specific auto accessories.The EPA has evaluated: |
| state consumer protection agency or the Better | | | | Morse Constant Speed Accessory Drive **; P.A.S.S. |
| Business Bureau.EPA Evaluation EffortsThe EPA | | | | Kit**; PASS Master Vehicle Air Conditioner**.Fuels |
| evaluates or tests products to determine whether | | | | and Fuel Additives: These materials are added to the |
| their use will result in any significant improvement or | | | | gas tank.The EPA has evaluated: Bycosin; EI-5 Fuel |
| detriment to fuel economy. However, the EPA | | | | Additive; Fuelon Power; Johnson Fuel Additive; NRG |
| cannot say what effect gas-saving products will have | | | | #1 Fuel Additive; QEI 400 Fuel Additive; Rolfite |
| on a vehicle over time because it hasn't conducted | | | | Upgrade Fuel Additive; Sta-Power Fuel Additive; |
| any durability tests. It's possible that some products | | | | Stargas Fuel Additive; SYNeRGy-1; Technol G Fuel |
| may harm the car or may otherwise adversely | | | | Additive; ULX-15/ULX-15D; Vareb 10 Fuel Additive; |
| affect its performance. In fact, today's vehicles' | | | | XRG #1 Fuel Additive.Oils and Oil Additives:. Usually |
| emission control systems are very sophisticated and | | | | these materials are poured into the crankcase.The |
| complex. They have On Board Diagnostic features | | | | EPA has evaluated: Analube Synthetic Lubricant; |
| that alert the driver to problems associated with the | | | | Tephguard.Driving Habit Modifiers: These are lights or |
| emission control and fuel delivery systems. Retrofit | | | | sound devices to tell the driver to reduce |
| products may have an adverse effect on these | | | | acceleration or to shift gears.The EPA has evaluated: |
| systems.Devices Tested by EPAThe following list | | | | AUTOTHERM**; Fuel Conservation Device; Gastell; |
| categorizes various types of "gas-saving" products, | | | | IDALERT**.Miscellaneous: The EPA has evaluated: |
| explains how they're used and gives product names. | | | | BRAKE-EZ; Dynamix; Fuel Maximiser; Gyroscopic |
| Those with asterisks may save measurable, but | | | | Wheel Cover; Kamei Spoilers**; Kat's Engine Heater; |
| small, amounts of gas. All others have been found | | | | Lee Exhaust and Fuel Gasification EGR; Mesco |
| not to increase fuel economy.Air Bleed Devices: | | | | Moisture Extraction System; P.S.C.U. 01 Device; Treis |
| These devices bleed air into the carburetor. They | | | | Emulsifier.Legend:* Indicated a very small |
| usually are installed in the Positive Crankcase | | | | improvement in fuel economy but with an increase in |
| Ventilation line or as a replacement for idle-mixture | | | | exhaust emissions. According to Federal regulations, |
| screws.The EPA has evaluated the following | | | | installation of this device could be considered illegal |
| products: ADAKS Vacuum Breaker Air Bleed; Air-Jet | | | | tampering.** Indicated a very small improvement in |
| Air Bleed; Aquablast Wyman Valve Air Bleed; | | | | fuel economy without an increase in exhaust |
| Auto-Miser; Ball-Matic Air Bleed; Berg Air Bleed; Brisko | | | | emissions. However, cost-effectiveness must be |
| PCV; Cyclone-Z; Econo Needle Air Bleed; Econo-Jet | | | | determined by the consumer for a particular |
| Air Bleed Idle Screws; Fuel Max*; Gas Saving Device; | | | | application.Pierre Schexneider is president of The |
| Grancor Air Computer; Hot Tip; Landrum Mini-Carb; | | | | Schexneider Group, LLC an E-commerce consulting |
| Landrum Retrofit Air Bleed; Mini Turbocharger Air | | | | business. As a consultant his research abilities have |
| Bleed; Monocar HC Control Air Bleed; Peterman Air | | | | afforded him many opportunities to expand his |
| Bleed; Pollution Master Air Bleed; Ram-Jet; | | | | knowledge base. |