Every so often, emails go around explaining how someone's cousin installed some device in his car engine and is now getting noticeably better gas mileage. These might be a device that alters the fuel or air intake systems of the car, using water for gas, or in some cases magnets or exotic metals placed outside of the fuel line to chemically change fuel passing within.
Sometimes, the explanations given by the companies peddling these products seems to make sense and at, other times, they are clearly nothing but double-talk designed to confuse the facts. Some reliable third party organizations have voiced their opinions and they all agree. Based on EPA testing of more than 100 such fuel economy improving devices, the Better Business Bureau, the EPA, and the Federal Trade Commission all agree: don't waste your money. None of the aftermarket products tested by the EPA have resulted in substantially improved gas mileage.
In some cases, the devices or modifications recommended may result in higher emissions of pollutants from your vehicle and may be a violation of federal rules against tampering with a vehicle's emission reduction system, which could result in penalties for the vehicle owner.
There are ways to maximize your gas mileage, and best of all, most of them are free.
- Drive within posted speed limits: The FTC says that driving at 75 miles per hour instead of 65 mph increases fuel consumption by a whopping 25 percent!
- Avoid unnecessary idling: According to the EPA, warming a car up wastes fuel for no benefit on modern cars.
- Use cruise control and overdrive gears for highway driving: In higher gears, the engine speed is reduced, consuming less fuel.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance plan including regular tune-ups: A tune-up, says the FTC, can improve mileage as much as 10-20 percent depending upon the car's condition.
- Reduce the weight in your car: an extra 100 pounds of junk in the trunk can reduce gas mileage by two percent according to Better Business Bureau statistics.
- Keep tires properly inflated to reduce rolling resistance that eats into your gas mileage.
- Be aware that roof-top carriers substantially increase the air drag on a vehicle and may decrease gas mileage noticeably.
More effective than all of these fuel economy tips, however, is choosing a fuel efficient vehicle when you purchase your next car or truck.