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The answer is, for the most part, no. The ones that do work do not produce significant results, as the over hyped advertisements usually promise. Instead, according to the Federal Trade Commission, the products that do improve gas mileage only increase it a little, and even then, there is the potential for serious issues down the road. We’ll take a look at a few of the products that promise to increase gas mileage, and then we’ll talk about how you can get better gas mileage without buying any of these products.
Five Products That Claim To Increase Gas Mileage
Autotherm® has been evaluated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and has been determined to provide a small increase in fuel, although the EPA encourages consumers to weigh the cost of the product against any gains in mileage per gallon of gasoline. Obviously, if the cost is prohibitive, then it really isn’t worth the trouble in the first place. Autotherm® is actually for big rig trucks, and it claims to keep the cab warm, so the driver doesn’t have to burn fuel idling the truck. The EPA refers to this kind of system as a “driving habit modifier,” because obviously, if you turn off the engine you will save fuel; however, do consider the cost as well. You can learn more about Autotherm® at
http://www.autothermusa.com/ .
Vortec Cyclone™ has not been evaluated by the EPA. In fact, most of the one hundred or more products that claim to increase gas mileage that the EPA has evaluated have disappeared from the market, as the overwhelming majority of the products did not increase gas mileage at all, according to the EPA. The ones that did only did so in a small way, may be cost prohibitive, and some may even be illegal. However, the Vortec Cyclone™ is a stainless steel device that fits into the air intake hose of the engine in your car. The product claims to increase fuel efficiency by creating better airflow, a higher degree of fuel atomization, and better combustion. You can learn more about the Vortec Cyclone™ at
http://www.vorteccyclone.com/index.html.
The Fuel Vaporizer Adapter claims to be designed to work with any fuel vaporizer, and claims to raise gas efficiency by reducing spillage by acting as a bridge between the fuel line and any fuel vaporizer. You can see this product at
http://www.agsint.com/atom.shl. There is no money back guarantee offered with this product, and it has not been evaluated by the EPA.
BG 44K® Power Enhancer® claims to remove engine deposits and restore flow in fuel injectors, therefore reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. It is designed to be added to the fuel tank upon fueling. It has not been tested by the EPA. You can learn more about this product by visiting the following link.
http://www.bgprod.com/products/fuelair.html
Ethamax® claims to enhance fuel efficiency by cleaning the fuel system. The product is added to the fuel at the rate of one ounce of Ethamax® to one gallon of fuel. You can learn more about this product by visiting http://www.ethamax.com/?gclid=
CK-7n6LXn5sCFQazsgodLhD-CQ.
What To Look For In A Gas Saving Product
Every time gas prices rise, there is an influx of these types of products on the market. Some will say they are recommended by the government, although this is not true, as the government does not recommend any such product. Even when the EPA evaluates gas saving devices and products, it will only state whether the device works, and then will state that some such products may be illegal or cost prohibitive. Don’t let phony testimonials convince you that certain gas saving devices work; instead, check the website of the EPA so you can view the test results yourself and read any warnings.
What You Should Be Aware Of
Some so called gas saving products may even harm your vehicle, so it is important to be aware of what you are adding to your fuel tank or what devices you may be adding to your car. In addition, doing so could potentially void the warranty of your car, and some gas saving devices may even be illegal, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Moreover, the best way to increase gas mileage is free and constitutes taking certain actions on your part rather than purchasing a device or product that may or may not work and could ultimately cause harm to your vehicle.
Ways To Increase Gas Mileage
There are several ways to increase gas mileage on a regular basis, and most of these ideas have been around for some time. While they may not sound as exciting as the hottest new product on the market, they do work; they don’t cost any money, and they won’t harm your vehicle. Look closely at the following suggestions, and see how many you can implement as the more of these that you follow, the better your gas efficiency will be.
Make sure your tires are fully inflated, as low tire pressure can significantly reduce fuel efficiency. In addition, remove any added weight in your vehicle that you don’t absolutely need, whether it is in the trunk or the back seat. The more weight you carry, the less miles per gallon you will get, so remove the excess weight and you will notice the difference immediately. Also, change your oil and replace air filters on a regular basis. Always make sure that your engine is tuned up and running smoothly. Interestingly enough, all these suggestions are good for your vehicle and are recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle as well. In addition, if you implement all the above suggestions on a regular basis, you will see a marked improvement in the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Also, consider buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, such as a hybrid the next time you are in the market for a car, and you will save even more. For more ideas on fuel efficiency, as well as a breakdown of the products the EPA tested, see the following page from the Federal Trade Commission:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut10.shtm
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