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Additives and special aftermarket devices rarely if ever save you gas.
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Fuel Economy
Don't Believe the Hype
"Gas-Saving" Products Rarely, If Ever Work
By Mike Hudson, News Editor
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Date Posted 09-20-2005
"Tired of high gas prices? Improve your mileage by up to 20 percent!"
"Simple additive saves you money with every tank of gas!"
"Proven to improve your mileage! EPA tested!"
Perhaps you've seen something to this effect in an advertisement or on a television commercial recently. And if you're like most people, then you've been curious. Do these work?
With gasoline hard-charging up to the $3-per-gallon level, millions of drivers are keeping their ears perked for ways to save money at the pump. But unfortunately, many of these methods are little more than scams.
First, let's look at a few typical products. There's a limitless variety to choose from and prices tend to range from $5 to $100 and promise anything from 1-percent to 20-percent gains in mileage.
- A piece to add into your air intake that helps circulate air
- A packet of gel to add to the fuel tank or attach to the fuel line that claims to help burn gas more efficiently
- Magnets to attach to the fuel line
- Oil additives to help the engine run more smoothly
- Gasoline additives to help increase mileage
So do any of these work? Uh, no.
Any tests of these products may periodically show a mileage improvement, but nothing that you wouldn't find in the normal shift in your mileage based on conditions.
But don't take our word for it. Here's Uncle Sam's take, courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Trade Commission:
"The 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."
Ouch.
Logically, though, it would only make sense. If any of these products worked and saved you money…then why wouldn't the automakers have already installed them? Carmakers spend a lot of money trying to meet federal fuel economy guidelines and these quick fixes would be lifesavers for them.
The best way to save gas is to follow the instructions on maintenance in your owner's manual. You can also follow the tips Edmunds.com offers in a related article.
For more information on the Federal Trade Commission's study of gas-saving additives and devices, go to http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/gasave.htm.
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