Are Fuel Additives Your Answer to Higher Gasoline Prices?

by Brian Carr on January 26, 2008

As gasoline prices have crept up over the last several years, you’ve probably been seeing more and more advertisements and websites for products that have been “proven” to increase your car’s gas mileage, improve its performance and reduce emissions. As a matter of fact, I’m sure if you look to the right or at the bottom of this post there will links to a couple of those websites on Daily Fuel Economy Tip.

(Note: Don’t misconstrue that statement as me telling you to click on those links.  I’m just saying that they’re probably there.)

Like many things you find on infomercials and over-promising websites, these gas mileage increasing fuel additives have been met by many consumers with a suspicious eye, and for many of the products, this suspicion is rightfully justified. That being said, there wouldn’t be these commercials and websites if there weren’t people out there who were using the products, so at least some of us have gone out on a limb and given these additives a chance.

Being the inquisitive person that I am, I wanted to see how many of us “gas mileage aficionados” out there have tried to improve gas mileage through the use of these products. During the last two weeks, I had a poll up in the sidebar which quite simply asked: “Have you ever used a fuel additive to try and get better gas mileage?”

Here’s how the nearly 200 respondents answered:

  • 63% said they had not
  • 33% said they had
  • 4% said they were unsure

As I said earlier, I’m sure we’ve all been intrigued by many of the fuel additives that promise to boost our gas mileage and save us money, but as you can clearly see, it appears that for most of us, that’s where it stops.

I’m not sure why most of us aren’t giving these fuel additives a chance. Maybe it’s general skepticism of the idea that something can be added to our gas to help our car’s burn fuel more efficiently, or it’s because many of the companies schilling these products appear to be fly-by-night organizations, or it’s the the fear these products will harm our cars, or if it’s a combination of these and many other factors.

For those of you who responded (and even if you didn’t) I’d be interested in hearing your opinion. So, if you don’t mind, please leave a comment or two with your thoughts.

{ 1 trackback }

FUEL ADDITIVE SAVE GAS MILEAGE MPG
December 16, 2008 at 10:25 am

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

Watching February 3, 2008 at 11:08 am

These gadgets generally lack proof (solid, independent proof). If the benefits are verified by the EPA and others, like Consumer Reports or anyone with well established credentials, there would be more interest.

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jon dring February 13, 2008 at 5:32 pm

I live in a state that does not inforce the octain rating, so you have no idea what your getting! Therefore I always use a additve, & it works well for me.

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gas additive March 4, 2008 at 7:12 am

I’ll be the first to add a link to such a product! I sell a product called DurAlt that has been on the market since the 80s and has been approved by the EPA. You can check out my site FuelAdditiveStore.com for more information on the product and some of the data backing it up. I’ve been using it rather consistently for the last 2-3 years and see a consistent 8-10% increase in my MPG.

I totally understand the skepticism out there about these products, especially the ones that tout increasing mileage by 50-90%. So if you have questions or want to give this stuff a try, check out the site.

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Tim Reed March 28, 2008 at 4:55 am

Maybe you should all try ethos FR (fuel reformulator
Non-toxic, non-hazardous product used by the Unser family!
Get 7-19% better gas mileage and lower emissions 30% or more!
866-420-3934

Reply

JE April 29, 2008 at 4:40 pm

Let me see if I can help you gentlemen (and ladies).

The original and main use of CerMet technology was, and is metal restoration and metal protection.

However the greatest byproduct of CerMet’s protective layer may be that it reduces friction inside the engine.
Less friction, less fuel use, less emissions, better for all of us.

CerMet’s patented technology lines and coats the friction points inside any engine and actually bonds to, and becomes integrated to the lattice of the engine’s metal surface.
Nanotechnology in action!

We guarantee in writing that you will at the very minimum get at least a 2:1 ROI on fuel savings alone!
Many of our customers are seeing upwards of 3:1 to a 5:1 return on fuel savings alone.

Additional benefits may include extended engine and part life, increased compression and reduced oil consumption.

No risk! CerMet products are already used in generators, trucking fleets, heavy equipment, ships and cars throughout the world and is covered by a multi-million dollar insurance policy that will cover any damage done to any mechanism from a CerMet treatment.
To date we have not takers on this policy.
We only have had thankful customers that are realizing a little relief by getting a little more out of gas and diesel dollars.

Here to serve.
jerryesparza.com

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Martin Grodt May 14, 2008 at 10:26 am

Well meaning writers are told that fuel saving additives simply don’t work, and that message gets published over and over again whenever fuel prices go up.

I am the marketer of a product called Fuel Magic. Amid all of the skepticism about so many products that are ineffective fuel savers I just want to let your readers know that there is hope out there. Fuel Magic works very well and does so scientifically, logically and cheaply.

Fuel Magic works 3 ways at once to improve engine performance with both gas and diesel:

1) Has a polar compound that is attracted to metallic surfaces, including the inside of the combustion chamber. This provides a buffer that reduces friction and wear.
2) Penetrates combustion deposits (even hardened ones) and removes them with each firing of the engine, improving engine efficiency.
3) Has a combustion modifier that burns fuel more completely, generating more power at the top of the piston stroke.

This combination improves fuel mileage (proven average of 8%), reduces pollution, adds power, saves maintenance and reduces engine wear.

The real kicker is that Fuel Magic is so highly concentrated that it performs for just pennies, making it so affordable that anybody can use it every day because it pays you to use it. A single squirt will treat an entire tankful of fuel and will save on average 5x its cost in fuel, plus other benefits. It’s safe for all engines and has a money back guarantee.

Just thought I’d rant a little about Fuel Magic. Even skeptics like to be proven wrong every now and then. Thanks. Marty

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Cloner September 5, 2008 at 11:12 pm

Self serving promotions for worthless products!!! What a waste of bandwidth.

Go peddle your “snake oil” someware else.

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John September 29, 2008 at 5:10 am

Actually there are products registered by the EPA that contain metals and solvents which can cause big problems to your engine. I have run additives that have given great results but will not endorse them on this blog, if you would like to hear what I have found your encouraged to contact me and I will gladly speak in greater detail about the who what when how and why.

Regards,

John

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John September 29, 2008 at 5:18 am

Cloner is just another person buying into the idea that 150 year old technology used to make fuel and the engines that run this junk is the only way to create efficient combustion. Probably has never looked beyond the front door or under the hood and asked why then does a car need a catalytic converter? And all this smog equipment? Answer is YOU LOOSE NEARLY 20% OF EVERY DOLLAR IN WASTED ENERGY because of this situation. Cloner is probably some ancient SUV driving hunter. There are several products that work and to all of you stepping into territory beyond the pump, I commend you.

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Ray August 2, 2009 at 8:49 pm

6th generation technology used by the largest petro company in the world: Petro China and endorsed by the Chinese EPA. Best in the world bar none!

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Nano Tech August 2, 2009 at 8:51 pm

6th generation technology used by the largest petro company in the world: Petro China and endorsed by the Chinese EPA. Best in the world bar none!

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Donald Moore January 25, 2010 at 2:22 am

I’m 74 years old and I have used many different kinds of fuel additives .This is the first one I have seen that works, on diesel and gas engines.Classified green for saving our atmosphere. Cleans the entire fuel system,engine,and , increase fuel mileage protects our future “families” ability to breath cleaner air.

Reply

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