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Wednesday 31 March 2010

Improve Gas Mileage Without Damaging Your Car

Many of the gas saving devices being advertised do not work

and can actually damage your vehicle.



After evaluating and testing more than 100 alleged gas-

saving devices, the Environmental Protection Agency has

found only a few that improve mileage and none that do so

significantly.



The gas-saving products on the market seem to fall into

clearly defined categories. These include, but are not

limited to: air-bleed devices, vapor-bleed devices, liquid

injection devices, ignition devices, fuel line devices,

mixture enhancers, internal engine modification devices,

fuels and fuel additives, oils and oil additives, and

driving habit modifiers.



The EPA evaluates or tests products to determine whether

their use will result in any measurable improvement to fuel

economy. However, the EPA cannot say what effect gas-saving

products will have on a vehicle over a long period of time.

It is possible that some products may harm the car or

adversely affect its performance.



For example, if an "air bleed" device actually adds

significant amounts of air to the air-and-fuel mixture, it

may cause an engine to misfire, a condition which greatly

increases the potential engine damage or mechanical failure.

This is especially likely to happen on cars manufactured

between 1974 and 1982, because their carburetors are pre-set

for a maximum amount of air to be burned with the fuel.

"Air-bleed" devices will not work at all on many cars

manufactured after 1982, because these cars have "feedback"

carburetors that automatically adjust the air-and-fuel

mixture rendering the device useless.



Many ads feature glowing testimonials by satisfied

customers. There are too many variables that affect fuel

consumption, such as traffic, road and weather conditions,

the car's condition and overall maintenance, and the driving

habits of the owner.



In one case a consumer sent a letter to a company praising

its gas-saving product. But what was not mentioned in the

advertisement was the fact that the consumers vehicle also

had an engine tune-up at the time the device was installed.



Some advertisers claim that the gas-saving device is

approved by the Federal government. No government agency

endorses gas-saving products for cars. The seller can only

state that the item has been tested by the EPA. If the

advertiser claims that the product has been tested by the

EPA ask to see the results or contact the EPA directly.



If you have already purchased a gas-saving product and you

are not satisfied, contact the manufacturer and ask for a

refund. An honest company offers a money-back guarantee.

If you are not satisfied with the company's response,

contact your local or state consumer protection agency or

the Better Business Bureau.



Keeping your car in tip top condition is the best way to get

the best gas mileage your vehicle has to offer. Every

vehicle come with an owners manual. Read and follow what

the manufacturer recommends.



Three simple steps that will help improve gas mileage in all

vehicles:



Getting a tune-up.

Checking tire pressure.

Removing any excess weight from the car's trunk.

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