More Deceptive Tactics by Sellers of Fuel Saving Devices!

For those of you looking for a quick fix to your fuel economy problem in light of the continuously rising gas prices, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has some advice: be wary of any gas-saving claims for automotive devices or oil and gas additives. More than 100 gas-saving products have been tested and none of them do what their deceptive advertising claims.

There are a number of deceptive advertising claims that are used by manufacturers and suppliers of these so called gas saving devices. Here are a few to look out for.

One product that was advertised heavily was "Fuel Saver Pro," a device that claims to be "EPA-approved."

The ads read "High gasoline prices at the pump shouldn't scare you. They won't anymore with this new EPA-approved device." They claimed that for $89.95, plus $6.95 shipping and handling, you would realize a 27 percent increase in mileage.

The fact is the Fuel Saver Pro hasn't been tested by the EPA and isn't EPA-approved. An EPA official has stated: "We've tested more than 100 fuel-saving devices over the last 25 years, most of them magnetic devices that wrapped around fuel lines - as if fuel is magnetic - and we haven't certified any of them because we haven't found one that works. Two devices were marginally beneficial, but were so expensive there wouldn't be any pay back."

He went on to say: The manufacturer manipulated the results, to arrive at a base mileage. It compared results from a short stop-and-go cycle, when more fuel is used, with a 25-minute highway cycle, when less fuel is used.

Many sellers of gas saving devices use a similar deceptive strategy. They claim: "This gas-saving device is approved by the Federal government."

No government agency endorses gas-saving products for cars. The most that can be claimed in advertising is that the EPA has reached certain conclusions about possible gas savings by testing the product or by evaluating the manufacturer's own test data.

If the seller claims that its product has been evaluated by the EPA, ask for a copy of the EPA report, or check the EPA website epa.gov for information. In most instances, false claims of EPA testing or approval have been made.

These are just two of the many deceptive advertising methods used by unscrupulous gas saving device sellers trying to separate a fool and his money. Don't play into their hands. The bottom line is, gas saving devices don't work!