Thursday, March 24, 2011

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.
For over 20 more tips and one secret hint go to 
http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/gasmiles.htm
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Copyright: 2004 Marilyn Pokorney
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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

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