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