Katerina Swanson
Fuel-saving devices are aftermarket products that claim to improve fuel economy, reduce exhaust emissions, and optimize ignition, airflow, and fuel flow. These devices include the Fuel Genie, Platinum Gas Saver, Tornado, and Electronic Engine Ionizer Fuel Saver. However, testing by Consumer Reports and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shown that most of these devices do not significantly improve fuel economy and, in some cases, can lead to decreased performance and engine damage. While some performance chips like Effuel claim to boost fuel efficiency by 15% to 35%, it's important to approach such devices with caution, as they may not deliver on their promises.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of fuel-saving devices | $248 for two, free shipping (Platinum Gas Saver); $89.95 plus $13 for shipping (Fuel Genie); under $100 (Fuel Save Pro); $39.98 (Effuel) |
| Effectiveness of fuel-saving devices | No improvement in fuel economy (Fuel Genie, Tornado, Platinum Gas Saver); 15% to 35% improvement in fuel efficiency (Fuel Save Pro, Effuel); 2% improvement in fuel efficiency (Effuel) |
| Potential drawbacks | May damage the engine or transmission, void the warranty, ruin the catalytic converter, or cause failure in the next emissions test; may result in a loss of power or an engine compartment fire |
| Ways to improve fuel economy | Follow the vehicle manufacturer's service schedule and fine-tune driving habits, e.g. drive gently, avoid jackrabbit starts, and quit warming up the car |
| Factors influencing fuel economy | Vehicle type, annual mileage, fuel cost, driving conditions, and driving habits |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel-saving devices: do they work?
Fuel-saving devices are aftermarket products that claim to improve fuel economy, reduce exhaust emissions, and optimise ignition, airflow, or fuel flow. Some examples of fuel-saving devices include fuel additives, air bleed devices, liquid injection, magnets, and electronic devices.
The effectiveness of fuel-saving devices is often questionable, with many sources claiming that they do not work or may even decrease fuel economy and engine performance. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tested numerous devices over the past 35 years and found that most do not significantly improve fuel economy. Similarly, Popular Mechanics magazine has found that unproven devices can decrease both power and fuel economy.
One reason why ineffective fuel-saving devices remain popular is the difficulty of accurately measuring small changes in fuel economy under normal driving conditions. Buyer perception, confirmation bias, and the observer-expectancy effect can also contribute to the perceived success of these devices. Regulatory bodies have developed standardized drive cycles to address this issue and provide consistent, accurate testing of vehicle fuel consumption.
While most fuel-saving devices may not work as claimed, there are some exceptions. For example, the Kiwi device provides real-time feedback on fuel economy and driving habits, helping drivers optimise their fuel efficiency. Additionally, water injection systems have been used by auto manufacturers and tested by the EPA, showing some potential for improving fuel economy, although results have been mixed.
In conclusion, while there is a demand for fuel-saving devices, most products on the market do not deliver significant improvements in fuel economy. However, some devices can provide useful feedback and guidance to help drivers optimise their fuel efficiency, and certain technologies, like water injection, may hold promise for the future.
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Improving fuel economy
So, what can drivers do to actually improve fuel economy? Firstly, it's important to follow the vehicle manufacturer's service schedule and fine-tune your driving habits. This includes driving gently, avoiding rapid acceleration or hard braking, and maintaining a consistent speed. Aggressive driving can lower fuel economy by up to 40% on highways and 30% in stop-and-go traffic. Additionally, reducing high-speed driving can help, as fuel efficiency decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h).
Another way to improve fuel economy is to keep your vehicle well-maintained. Regular servicing and ensuring your vehicle is in optimal condition can make a significant difference. For example, keeping tyres properly inflated and ensuring regular oil changes can improve fuel efficiency. It is also beneficial to reduce the weight in your vehicle by removing unnecessary items from the trunk or backseat, as extra weight decreases fuel efficiency.
Choosing the right fuel for your vehicle is also important. If your car is a flex-fuel vehicle, you can save money by selecting the most cost-effective fuel type. Additionally, when filling up, it is best to avoid overfilling the tank and spilling fuel, as this is dangerous and wasteful. Finally, consider using fuel-efficient driving technologies, such as cruise control, which can help maintain a constant speed and improve fuel economy.
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Fuel-saving devices: are they worth the cost?
Fuel-saving devices are aftermarket products that claim to improve fuel economy, reduce exhaust emissions, or optimize ignition, airflow, or fuel flow. While these devices may seem appealing due to the potential cost savings of improved fuel efficiency, it is important to consider whether they are worth the cost.
Various organizations and individuals have tested fuel-saving devices with mixed results. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tested numerous devices over the past 35 years, including the Platinum Gas Saver, and has generally found that most devices do not significantly improve fuel economy. Similarly, Consumer Reports tested three devices: Fuel Genie, Platinum Gas Saver, and Tornado, and concluded that they did not improve fuel economy. They also noted that the cost of these devices, ranging from $89.95 to $248, is not justifiable given the lack of improvement.
In addition to these findings, there are several reasons to be cautious about the effectiveness of fuel-saving devices. Firstly, the high variance in fuel consumption under normal driving conditions can make it difficult to accurately measure small changes in fuel economy. This can lead to a perception of improvement that may not be supported by data. Secondly, some devices may only improve fuel economy at the expense of other variables, such as engine performance or emissions compliance. For example, the Electronic Engine Ionizer Fuel Saver resulted in a loss of power and an engine fire during testing.
Furthermore, it is important to consider the opportunity cost of purchasing a fuel-saving device. As noted by one commentator, if a simple device could significantly improve fuel economy, it would likely already be incorporated into vehicle designs. Instead, automakers invest significant resources into optimizing fuel efficiency within the constraints of various design factors. Therefore, it is unlikely that an aftermarket device could significantly outperform the sophisticated engineering of modern vehicles.
While some fuel-saving devices may provide marginal improvements, the weight of evidence suggests that they are generally not worth the cost. Instead of investing in these devices, individuals seeking to improve fuel efficiency are advised to follow the vehicle manufacturer's service schedule and adjust their driving habits. Overall, while the promise of reduced fuel costs is appealing, the current generation of fuel-saving devices does not appear to deliver significant enough improvements to justify the expense.
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Fuel-saving devices: potential damage to engines
Fuel-saving devices are aftermarket products that claim to improve fuel economy, exhaust emissions, and optimise ignition, airflow, or fuel flow. However, testing by various organisations has shown that many of these devices do not deliver on their promises and can even cause damage to engines.
One example of a fuel-saving device is the carburetor, which supposedly improves fuel efficiency to 300 miles per US gallon (0.78 L/100 km). However, testing revealed that it made the car less fuel-efficient. Another device, the Electronic Engine Ionizer Fuel Saver, resulted in a loss of power and an engine compartment fire during testing.
Some fuel-saving devices may even increase emissions and cause potential engine damage. For instance, devices that bleed a small amount of air into the fuel line before the carburetor may improve fuel economy, but running leaner than the manufacturer's specifications can lead to overheating, piston damage, loss of maximum power, and higher emissions. Similarly, ignition enhancers, once useful during World War II to prevent detonation in piston-powered fighter aircraft, are now considered hoaxes as modern cars have advanced materials and engines that have reduced the risk of detonation.
The difficulty in accurately measuring small changes in fuel economy also contributes to the perception of improved performance where none exists. Selective perception and confirmation bias can lead buyers to believe a device is effective when it is not. Regulatory bodies have developed standardised drive cycles to address this issue and provide consistent, accurate testing of vehicle fuel consumption.
In conclusion, while there are many fuel-saving devices on the market, consumers should exercise caution as many do not provide any measurable benefits and may even cause damage to engines and increase emissions. It is important to research and verify the effectiveness of such devices through standardised testing procedures.
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Fuel-saving devices: testing and results
Fuel-saving devices are aftermarket products sold with claims that they can improve fuel economy, exhaust emissions, or optimise ignition, airflow, or fuel flow. However, testing of these devices has shown that most do not improve fuel economy to any measurable degree. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tested over 100 fuel-saving devices and found that only seven showed some improvement in efficiency, and even then, the improvement was never more than six percent.
One reason that ineffective fuel-saving gadgets are popular is the difficulty of accurately measuring small changes in the fuel economy of a vehicle. This is due to the high level of variance in fuel consumption under normal driving conditions. Buyer perception and confirmation bias can also play a role, as individuals may perceive an improvement where none exists. Regulatory bodies have developed standardised drive cycles to address these issues and provide consistent, accurate testing of vehicle fuel consumption.
Several organisations have conducted tests on fuel-saving devices, including Consumer Reports, Popular Mechanics magazine, and the American Automobile Association. These tests have generally found that unproven devices do not improve fuel consumption or power and, in some cases, can even decrease both power and fuel economy. For example, Consumer Reports tested the Fuel Genie, Platinum Gas Saver, and Tornado, and found that none of them improved fuel economy. They also tested the Platinum Gas Saver, which claims to increase fuel mileage by 22 percent, but found no improvement in either vehicle they tested.
Some fuel-saving devices can also be dangerous. For example, the Electronic Engine Ionizer Fuel Saver was tested and resulted in a loss of power and an engine compartment fire. Fuel line magnets, which supposedly align fuel molecules for better burning, were also tested and found to have no effect on fuel consumption. Another test of a carburetor that claimed to improve fuel efficiency to 300 miles per US gallon actually made the car less fuel-efficient.
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Frequently asked questions
Fuel-saving devices claim to improve fuel efficiency by 15% to 35%. However, tests have shown that these devices do not always deliver on their promises. In some cases, they may even decrease fuel efficiency and engine performance.
Fuel-saving devices such as the Electronic Engine Ionizer Fuel Saver have been known to cause a loss of power and, in some cases, engine fires. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tested over 100 fuel-saving devices and found that only a handful showed any improvement in efficiency, and even then, the gains were minimal.
Fuel-saving devices typically work by remapping the engine and transmission parameters set by the automaker. They may also track your driving habits and make adjustments to improve fuel efficiency. Some devices, like the Fuel Genie, use curved blades to fit inside the air-intake hose and optimize airflow.
Yes, there are risks associated with using fuel-saving devices. They can damage your engine or transmission, void your warranty, ruin your catalytic converter, and cause you to fail emissions tests.
Yes, instead of using a fuel-saving device, you can focus on maintaining your vehicle according to the manufacturer's service schedule and improving your driving habits. Driving gently, avoiding rapid acceleration, and reducing idle time can all help improve fuel efficiency.
