Consider Buying a Fuel Efficient Vehicle
Decisions about buying new cars should be
the most important fuel economy decision
consumers make. There is a big difference
between a car that gets 20 MPG (miles per
gallon) and one that gets 30 MPG ($1,500 over 5
years, assuming gas costs $1.50 per gallon and
you drive 15,000 miles a year). Do conduct
background research on the Internet, you may
even decide to buy new car
online.
For more information, go
to www.fueleconomy.gov where
you can find the EPA's mileage estimates
and other data for 1985-2001 model
year cars.
EPA Evaluation
Efforts
The EPA evaluates or tests
products to determine whether their use will
result in any significant improvement or
detriment to fuel economy. Because the EPA
hasn't conducted any durability tests, it cannot
say what effect gas-saving products will have on
a vehicle over time. Harm to the car is possible
over time. In fact, vehicle emission control
systems are extremely sophisticated these days
with On Board Diagnostic features to alert
drivers of problems. Retrofit products may
result in an adverse effect on these complex
systems.
Devices
Tested by EPA
The following list
explains the different types of "gas-saving" products
and how they're used. The asterisks
indicate if the products may save measurable,
but small, amounts of gas. All others
have been found not to increase fuel
economy.
Air Bleed Devices
These
devices bleed air into the carburetor and are
installed in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation
line or as a replacement for idle-mixture
screws.
The EPA has evaluated the
following products
ADAKS Vacuum Breaker Air
Bleed; Air-Jet Air Bleed; Aquablast Wyman Valve
Air Bleed; Auto-Miser; Ball-Matic Air Bleed;
Berg Air Bleed; Brisko PCV; Cyclone-Z; Econo
Needle Air Bleed; Econo-Jet Air Bleed Idle
Screws; Fuel Max*; Gas Saving Device; Grancor
Air Computer; Hot Tip; Landrum Mini-Carb;
Landrum Retrofit Air Bleed; Mini Turbocharger
Air Bleed; Monocar HC Control Air Bleed;
Peterman Air Bleed; Pollution Master Air Bleed;
Ram-Jet; Turbo-Dyne G.R. Valve.
Vapor Bleed
Devices
Similar to the air bleed
devices, these devices have air bubbled through
a container of a water and anti-freeze mixture,
usually located in the engine
compartment.
The EPA has evaluated:
Atomized Vapor Injector; Frantz Vapor Injection
System; Hydro-Vac: POWERFUeL; Mark II Vapor
Injection System; Platinum Gasaver; V-70 Vapor
Injector; SCATPAC Vacuum Vapor Induction System:
Econo-Mist Vacuum Vapor Injection System; Turbo
Vapor Injection System.
Liquid Injection
Liquid
is added into the fuel/air intake system and not
directly into the combustion chamber.
The
EPA has evaluated: Goodman Engine System - Model
1800; Waag-Injection System*.
Ignition
Devices
Attached to the ignition
system, these devices may also be used to
replace original equipment or parts.
The
EPA has evaluated: Autosaver; Baur Condenser;
BIAP Electronic Ignition Unit; Fuel Economizer;
Magna Flash Ignition Control System; Paser
Magnum/Paser 500/Paser 500 HEI; Special Formula
Ignition Advance Springs.
Fuel Line Devices (heaters or
coolers)
Generally, the fuel is heated
by the engine coolant or by the exhaust or
electrical system but these devices heat the
fuel before it enters the carburetor.
The
EPA has evaluated: FuelXpander; Gas Meiser I;
Greer Fuel Preheater; Jacona Fuel System;
Optimizer; Russell Fuelmiser.
Fuel Line
Devices (magnets). Attached to the outside of
the fuel line or installed in the fuel line,
these magnets claim to change the molecular
structure of the vehicle's fuel.
The EPA
has evaluated: PETRO-MIZER; POLARION-X;
Super-Mag Fuel Extender; Wickliff Polarizer
[fuel line magnet/intake air
magnet].
Fuel Line Devices (metallic).
These devices usually have several dissimilar
metals that are installed in the fuel line,
which are supposed to cause ionization of the
fuel.
The EPA has evaluated: Malpassi
Filter King [fuel pressure regulator];
Moleculetor.
Mixture Enhancers (under the
carburetor). These devices are mounted between
the carburetor and intake manifold and
supposedly enhance the mixing or vaporization of
the air/fuel mixture.
The EPA has
evaluated: Energy Gas Saver; Environmental Fuel
Saver; Gas Saving and Emission Control
Improvement Device; Glynn-50; Hydro-Catalyst
Pre-Combustion Catalyst System; PETROMIZER
SYSTEM; Sav-A-Mile; Spritzer; Turbo-Carb;
Turbocarb.
Mixture
Enhancers (others)
Some general
modifications to the car's intake system is
caused by these devices.
The EPA has
evaluated: Basko Enginecoat; Dresser Economizer;
Electro-Dyne Superchoke; Filtron Urethane Foam
Filter; Lamkin Fuel Metering Device; Smith Power
and Deceleration Governor.
Internal Engine
Modifications
Physical or mechanical
function is changed in the engine when these
devices are used.
The EPA has evaluated:
ACDS Automotive Cylinder Deactivation System*;
Dresser Economizer; MSU Cylinder
Deactivation*.
Accessory Drive
Modifiers
Reducing power to specific
auto accessories is the primary function of
these modifiers
.
The EPA has evaluated:
Morse Constant Speed Accessory Drive**; P.A.S.S.
Kit**; PASS Master Vehicle Air
Conditioner**.
Fuels
and Fuel Additives
These materials are
added directly to the fuel tank.
The EPA
has evaluated: Bycosin; EI-5 Fuel Additive;
Fuelon Power; Johnson Fuel Additive; NRG #1 Fuel
Additive; QEI 400 Fuel Additive; Rolfite Upgrade
Fuel Additive; Sta-Power Fuel Additive; Stargas
Fuel Additive; SYNeRGy-1; Technol G Fuel
Additive; ULX-15/ULX-15D; Vareb 10 Fuel
Additive; XRG #1 Fuel Additive.
Oils and Oil
Additives
These additives are usually
poured into the crankcase.
The EPA has
evaluated: Analube Synthetic Lubricant;
Tephguard.
Driving Habit Modifiers. Lights or
sound devices, which tell the driver to reduce
acceleration or to shift gears.
The EPA
has evaluated: AUTOTHERM**; Fuel Conservation
Device; Gastell; IDALERT**.
Miscellaneous.
The EPA has evaluated: BRAKE-EZ; Dynamix; Fuel
Maximiser; Gyroscopic Wheel Cover; Kamei
Spoilers**; Kat's Engine Heater; Lee Exhaust and
Fuel Gasification EGR; Mesco Moisture Extraction
System; P.S.C.U. 01 Device; Treis
Emulsifier.
* Indicates a very small
improvement in fuel efficiency, though an
increase in exhaust emissions was detected.
Installing this device could be considered
illegal tampering by Federal
regulations.
** Indicates a very small
improvement in fuel economy without an increase
in exhaust emissions
How To Be Penny
Wise, Not Pump Fuelish
High gas prices
don't have to keep you home. The Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) and the American Automobile
Association (AAA) offer these fuel savings tips:
When Gassing
Up | |
- Choosing the right
octane gas for your car is very important. Check
the owner's manual. Octane ratings measure
gasoline's ability to resist engine knock.
Though remember, the higher the octane, the
higher the gas price. Though premium (highest
octane) gas is on average 17 cents more per
gallon than regular gas. Only about six percent
of cars sold
in the U.S. need premium gas
according to AAA, yet it accounts for 20% of all
gas sold |
- Do not top off
your gas tank. This can cause an overflow,
especially in warm weather
|
- Make sure your
tires are inflated to the proper level. They
will provide less road-resistance and can
improve gas efficiency
|
- Maintain your
car's engine according to the manufacturer's
recommendations
|
- Avoid packing
items on the roof of the car. This creates wind
resistance and can decrease fuel economy by five
percent
|
- Avoid packing
items on the roof of the car. This creates wind
resistance and can decrease fuel economy by five
percent
|
- Simply lighten
your load. Atypical car's fuel economy can be
affected by 1 to 2 percent by an extra
one-hundred pounds in the trunk
|
- Keep to the speed
limits. Driving at high speeds uses more
gas
|
- Cruise control
helps maintain a constant speed and can reduce
fuel use
|
- Abrupt starts and
stops should be avoided to save fuel
|
- Overdrive gears
when on the highway decreases the car's engine
speed,
reducing fuel consumption and engine
wear |
- If possible use
the air vents to circulate the air instead of
air conditioning
|
