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Improve Gas Mileage Without Damaging Your Car

by: Marilyn Pokorney

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Copyright: 2004 Marilyn Pokorney

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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.

For over 20 more tips and one secret hint go to
http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/gasmiles.htm

About the author:
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website:

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