Gas saving devices

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  #1  
Old 05-26-2011, 04:16 AM
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Default Gas saving devices

We've had at least one thread on this subject in the past, but I could not find it.

MSNBC just had a blurb about them. Seems that an old, white-haired gentleman has had a $1 million offer to any manufacturer of any one of those devices if they can prove that they actually do save even a little gas. Over two years, no takers.

And, they showed where EPA has been testing them as well. The results, NO EFFECT. They did not find even one device that did any good at all.

So, any of you guys and gals that might be thinking of things like the "TURBO-3000" or those magnetic clip-ons for the fuel lines, save your money. They're finding out what a lot of us have known for some time now. All those devices are is a way to separate you from your hard-earned money. If any of them worked, car companies would jump on them because today, fuel economy is a real selling point. More and more ads by the auto industry are talking about the fuel economy, and if any of those things actually did work, it would now come standard on the new vehicle you're buying. They're not on there. They don't work.

That means that no matter how many of those things "Mr. Billy Big-Rigger" has under his hood, he's either cooling his heels or cutting his profit margin. For all the new drivers out there, when you hear all the propaganda, just keep in mind that it's a beautiful dream, just like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The only one that makes any money off of those things is the guy selling them.

So, the things that affect your fuel economy are still the same.

Aerodynamic configuration of the truck.
Tires and tire inflation.
Engine and gear ratio.

And, the biggest factor of all...
YOUR DRIVING HABITS.

And, now you know.....
THE REST OF THE STORY.

Good day.:thumbsup:
 
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Old 05-26-2011, 03:31 PM
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If you're talking big trucks you're probably right. There is something available for cars that can save 20% or more if you use it right though. I should be getting 30 mph or so in my car and I've been getting 38 +/-. That was with a 6 mile commute to work in a mid size town. Now that I'm out in the sticks I'm getting low to mid 40s.

ScanGaugeII - Trip Computers + Digital Gauges + Scan Tool
 

Last edited by MichiganDriver; 05-26-2011 at 03:34 PM.
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Old 05-26-2011, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Windwalker
So, any of you guys and gals that might be thinking of things like the "TURBO-3000" Good day.:thumbsup:
Of course the turdblo's not gonna help gas milage , it's for DIESEL silly!!
 
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Old 05-26-2011, 08:31 PM
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agree with you windwalker if they were that good, car and truck companies would have them installed in thier products
 
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Old 05-28-2011, 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by mitchno1
agree with you windwalker if they were that good, car and truck companies would have them installed in thier products
If any of them worked, they'd come standard equipment. They do not.

Years ago, I was getting 32 to 34 miles / gallon with a full sized car and a big V-8. But, you can't do what I did with that engine today. Today, you have to have the password for the computer. We didn't have computers in cars back then, unless you had your own laptop in there.
 
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Old 05-28-2011, 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Windwalker
If any of them worked, they'd come standard equipment.
True statement.

And different people get different mileage with identical cars. The difference of course is the driving style of the person and there's a problem there. Anyone with half a brain "knows" how to not waste gas. They haven't approached the subject of increasing their MPGs with an open mind since they were 18 years old. At 18, they grasped the salient points and subject done.

What I'm talking about is the only motorsport that saves you money.

Either
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&biw=1680&bih=839&q=hypermil er&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=
-or-
ScanGaugeII - In The News
should get you up to speed.

I'm not really a hypermiler. I approach it with the 80/20 rule. It does make driving more fun having a 'personal best' to shoot for but it can be a ball and chain if you let it. I did the 22 miles to work the other day in over 45 MPG. My previous best was 43. Going home from work tonight after a very tough week? 39.x - too bushed to really care about it.
 

Last edited by MichiganDriver; 05-28-2011 at 03:36 PM.
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Old 05-28-2011, 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Windwalker
And, the biggest factor of all...
YOUR DRIVING HABITS.
You forgot the weight. If they'd let us run the damn things empty, we'd save a ton of fuel, and have more fun. Sure, the ride is a little rougher, but boy they sail up the hills.

In all seriousness, I'm a little bit perplexed about my fuel mileage lately. I've been driving the same truck all week, on the same route, with similar loads. I always put just about exactly 60.0 gallons in the tank at the end of the trip, but this time I had to pack the tanks to cram in 50. I saved at least 10 gallons of fuel, if not closer to 15, but I have no clue what I did differently.

Maybe somebody put the TURBO-3000 on my truck when I wasn't looking.
 
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Old 05-29-2011, 12:24 AM
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Weight and wind direction are two factors that you seldom have any control over. Driving into the wind, your fuel economy goes down. The stronger the wind, the more fuel you use. Going with the wind, even with a heavy load, your economy can be pretty amazing.
 
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