Gas Saving Gadgets Are Worthless

Gas Saving Gadgets Are Worthless

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Story Published: Mar 25, 2005 at 12:16 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:53 AM PDT

By Herb Weisbaum

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SEATTLE - Fed up with gasoline prices? Me, too, but I'm not about to waste my money on gadgets or additives that promise big fuel savings.

That's because I know the companies selling these things only want to take me for a ride.

Over the years, the Environmental Protection Agency has tested more than 100 "alleged gas-saving" products, aftermarket fuel additives and devices, including: the Auto-Miser, FuelXpander, Gas Meiser, Platinum Gasaver, Powerfuel, Ram-Jet, Star Gas Fuel additive, and Turbocarb, just to name a few.

In all of this testing, the EPA says it "has not found any product that significantly improves mileage."

In fact, the EPA warns, "some 'gas-saving' products may damage a car's engine or cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions." They could also void your car's warranty.

If you really want to squeeze more miles out of every gallon of gas, make sure your tires are properly inflated, change your air filter if it's dirty, combine trips, and skip the jackrabbit starts and stops.

For More Information:

Gas-saving products: fact or fuelishness?

EPA test of aftermarket gas-saving products

Gas-Savers: They Still Don't Work

Fuel-Saving Devices Not Worth the Money

Tips for saving fuel

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