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Fuel Savers

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by dropkin, Oct 12, 2008.

  1. dropkin

    dropkin Junior Member

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    OK, I suppose the answer is: "If there was something that saved gas for sure, then we'd all have one," but I'm going to ask anyway.

    I was searching around for Prius mods, and found the Hyper Gauss Atomizer Improve Hybrid Fuel Efficiency

    Is this a scam, or does it actually do something to improve MPG? It seems very non-invasive, so I'd be willing to go for it if someone has had some good results.

    Is there a different product I should look at?

    :confused:
     
  2. Zildjian

    Zildjian New Member

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    I've always had the feeling this is a scam. If I am not wrong, that stuff is something you put before the admission on the fuel pipe and it "magnetize" in certain way the gasoline, isn't it?

    If it would be so easy to improve fuel consumption I think manufacturers would include it on every car from factory.

    Regards
     
  3. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

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  4. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    IIRC, I've read something about this or a similar product on CleanMPG.com.
    Apparently, the purveyors would have us believe that as the fuel passes
    through the magnetic field, each molecule picks up a minute charge. As a
    result, when the fuel is atomized, all the molecules are charged alike and
    repel each other... Voila! Total and instantaneous atomization at the
    molecular level.

    IIRC, the folks at CleanMPG considered the claims to be unsubstantiated and
    were wholly unimpressed.

    Of all the electronic gizmos that claim to be able to increase FE/MPG, only
    three types have proven themselves: CanView, and similar computer
    derived data displayers/loggers (it/they are not at this time generally
    available); ScanGauge II, and similar data display units; and the Hymotion,
    and similar supplemental HV battery pack systems.

    And all the rest? 99.99% pure bunkery. They are one or more of: alleged,
    claimed, fictitious, or maybe fraudulent "Fuel Savers."
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    There is in fact some real science behind this gizmo's claims. In the maritime
    transport of petroleum products, it has been found that product falling through
    the earth's magnetic field via a loading pipe (30, 50, 80 ft. at tmes) does in
    fact pick up a charge. Charged fuel molecules are possible. That's the known
    science.

    The rest of the story: If the pipe is metal and securely grounded, and there is
    minimal open area at the bottom of the pipe, this isn't a problem because the
    charge is continually bled off. On the other hand, if the pipe is plastic, the charge
    can collect in localized areas. When the collected charge is strong enough, it can
    arc through the thickness of the plastic. (I know you can see what's coming.) If the
    vapor within the tank is within its explosive limits, BOOM! And a formerly perfectly
    usable rectangular barge/ship is a wholly unusable cylinder, usually split open to boot.
    With any luck, no one was hurt.

    For some time now, such tanks are also filled with inert gas, usually "scrubbed"
    diesel/turbine/boiler exhaust, to essentially eliminate such occurances,
     
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  5. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

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    you forgot one device that actually does work to save fuel

    the off switch

    you can also save fuel by not buying anything and religiously watching the fuel economy screen and using the gas pedal
    little as possible and trying to get as much as mpg as possible

    reading all those pulse and glide posts costs nothing (except your internet bill!) and will give you more gas savings
    then any of that worthless crap they sell
     
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It's a scam. It only works to atomize snake oil and blow it in your face, providing a distraction while the makers pick your pocket.

    Don't bother looking at these things.

    Tom
     
  7. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    There you go again, dashing someone's dreams. Dreamkiller. ;)
     
  8. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    i think TOM is calling it as it is......................RIGORMORTIS said the right thing.....watch your gas pedal, watch the MFD screen and drive as economically as you can. i guess i should practice what i preach..............my mileage has been horrible lately. too much of a leadfoot. :(
     
  9. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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  10. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    We get this type of post on a frequent basis. It's not hard to understand the phenomenon: people want this so badly that they are willing to dispense with reason and believe anything. It's the basis of almost all scams. Women want to look twenty again, so they buy magic creams and lotions. Men want to be irresistible to women, so they take "male enhancement" pills. Everyone wants to be rich, so get-rich-quick scams flourish. It's basic human nature.

    The problem with these mileage boosters is that there isn't any quick fix. There are ways to get better mileage and more efficient cars - the Prius is a rolling demonstration of that - but they all take years of development and huge amounts of capital. Conspiracy theories aside, there is no way a backyard tinkerer can compete with the engineering might of the big auto companies.

    The place where the small guy has an advantage is with entirely new and unique ideas; ones where the big companies are blinded by the status quo. These major paradigm shifts are not going to bolt onto your existing engine.

    It all comes down to the same simple common sense regarding investments: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

    Tom
     
  11. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Yes, I'm such a wet blanket.
     
  12. ceric

    ceric New Member

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    The easiest things to do to save fuel are
    - check tire pressure
    - turn off A/C
    - go easy on the gas pedal
    Those gimmicks have been proved to be scam on mythbuster.

    One simple logic: If that device worked, automakers would have been all over it by now.