Karl on Cars - 21st Century Snake Oil -- Beware the Jives of March...

21st Century Snake Oil -- Beware the Jives of March...

This isn't exactly a new warning call. In fact, we wrote an article on "miracle fuel additives" back in September of 2005, and our own Phil Reed did a blog on the topic last year. But no matter how often I try to shoo people away from these modern day snake-oil salesmen the spam emails and flashy Web sites, always filled with outrageous claims, keep popping up. Typically they reach full crescendo around this time of year -- as the weather warms, people start planning vacations and the summer blends crank up the price of gas even higher. I can only assume the resilience of these shady characters comes from consistently making money off duping people with false promises, despite my best efforts.

My email has been clogged with a flood of these fake product promotions in recent weeks, so maybe I'm a bit more sensitive to the flow of B.S. than most of you. I always chuckle at the wording these hucksters use. The following lines are direct quotes from such an email:

"XYZ additives will increase fuel efficiency with its first use. XYZ also provides better vehicle health and greatly reduces the amount of emissions thrust into the environment."

Hmm...I can think of one type of emission I'd like to stop being thrust into my environment. Or how about this one:

"Economically, it just makes sense for consumers to seek out products to get extra miles out of a tank of gas that costs them nearly twice what they paid at this time last year. The price for a barrel of oil is in excess of $105. If we find ways to hedge the steady increase of gas prices, consumers get what they expect from a tank of gas and oil companies get their asking price. Everyone wins. So remember to do what you can to "MAKE EVERY DROP COUNT".

I give these guys credit, they've hit every buzzword in the hopper right now. "Economically, it just makes sense..." -- "...price for a barrel of oil..." -- "...increase of gas prices..." -- "...reduces the amount of emissions..." -- "MAKE EVERY DROP COUNT"

Okay, so the grammar doesn't inspire confidence, nor does the lack of any actual certified proof. But still, this product makes it so "Everyone wins" -- and how can you not be for that?

Pathetic.

Just to state the obvious -- again -- please don't give these crooks any of your money. If not for yourself, do it for my inbox.

Posted by Karl Mar 28, 2008 6:00 am

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Categories: Fuel Efficiency

Comments

tiruvan - Mar 28, 2008 6:39 am (#1 Total: 12)

Good post ... Thanks for the warning!

mrryte - Mar 28, 2008 6:49 am (#2 Total: 12)

You're wasting your time, Karl. Expect this type of crap to be at its peak this year because of the $4.00/gal gas prices. Rather than go into a lengthy explanation of how and why this or that gas additive doesn't work, just kindly respond and say, "try it out for yourself and see what happens." Some people will question the tried-and-true knowledge of the expert or professional then turn around and follow the "advice" of a infomercial.

Perfect example-a few years ago I came across a gentleman pouring a bottle of some fluid in his gas tank before he topped it off (it was Duralube, Slick 50 or some fluid like that). He claimed that the car "ran smoother" on the highway but idled a little rougher. I wondered how many bottles of that crap he used in place of a simple tune-up.....:-/

rick8365 - Mar 28, 2008 7:02 am (#3 Total: 12)

OT....but in the "name that car" game.....I say the car in the photo is an Altima.

bepperb - Mar 28, 2008 7:52 am (#4 Total: 12)

Karl,

I couldn't agree more. It's worth noting that there's a snippet on straightline from yesterday that has them adding Lucas Ocatane Booster, which is funny considering this post. Chevron Techron is the only fuel system cleaner I've seen do any good, but it's not good enough that I don't find myself rebuilding motorcycle carbs every spring.

chevy598 - Mar 28, 2008 9:10 am (#5 Total: 12)

I don't know why they email that crap. I don't even open them. I either mark them as spam or hit the delete button. I can't beleive anyone would actualy buy something from that junk mail. If it's not a fuel additive then they're trying to sell you viagra.

jaguar8 - Mar 28, 2008 1:09 pm (#6 Total: 12)

how much you wanna bet that after reading this blog, somebody is still going to go buy one of these products?

george2040 - Mar 28, 2008 4:29 pm (#7 Total: 12)

Here's a crazy "gas aditive" idea that only makes sense with a large price spread between overpriced 91 octane premium and government subsidized 100+ octane E-85 Ethanol.

If I had a car that required premium grade gasoline, I'd be tempted to try a mix of roughly 7/8 regular 87 octane unleaded and 1/8 E-85 ethanol to boost the overall octane rating. Around here, 91 octane premium costs 30 cents more per gallon than 87 octane regular while government subsidized E-85 sells for about 30 cents less per gallon than regular 87 octane unleaded. The ethyl alcohol part of the mix only had about 3/4 the energy content of the gasoline, but the octane boost at a discount is worth the roughly 5% reduction in energy content for the mix.

The state of Minnesota did some excellent research on using 20% Ethanol 80% gasoline fuel in unmodified cars.
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/renewable/ethanol/default.htm
Thought that the material compatibility studies were especially well done.

steve_ - Mar 28, 2008 5:48 pm (#8 Total: 12)

Boise ID United States of America

One guy here in Idaho has a new invention he claims will increase fuel efficiency by 70%. He calls it a Fuel Expansion System and got a patent on it in '04 (got a patent, must be good, right?). The device costs about $1200 and also removes carbon monoxide from the tailpipe.

Hey, Idaho gave us TV - it could happen. :-)

Someone wire me the dough and I'll be happy to check it out.

estreka - Mar 29, 2008 12:12 am (#9 Total: 12)

subarctic north - Great Falls, MT

I've found Seafoam to be quite effective.
http://www.seafoamsales.com/

I also use a cleaning solution once a year and octane boosters periodically. I do indeed see mild increases in mileage and a reduction in backfires (though they occur only ocassionally, and usually during extremely cold weather). It should also be noted that my car requires premium fuel and MT only carries 91 octane. My car runs as smooth as can be in TX (93 octane).

editor_karl - Mar 29, 2008 12:23 pm (#10 Total: 12)

L.A. CA United States of America

Funny you mention Seafoam. That's the one additive (besides octane boost) I'll add to my fuel, and only because it helps keep the carbs on my old cars/motorcycles from getting gummed up. I certainly don't expect major mileage gains (though anytime you keep a carb, and engine, running properly you'll see modest gains from that alone).

kurtamaxxxguy - Mar 29, 2008 9:26 pm (#11 Total: 12)

portland or

Interesting about Seafoam - website suggests their TransTune's of similar composition.

One way to tell the pros from the cons is to see how and who does the products' actual lab studies. Is the data presented in a truly scientific manner? Is there an absence of hyped up testimonials?

Example: One oil additive used at NASCAR, developed by a former PHD Exxon chemist responsible for other successful auto products, does improve oil oxidation and heat resistance, but only because the product was verified by rigorous testing and submitted for government certification. There are no testimonials, no glitz, and the products' modest claims are presented in an engineering fashion.
Those interested can do a websearch for ASLCamguard (no, I don't work for them ;-) )

karjunkie - Apr 1, 2008 10:35 am (#12 Total: 12)

For the same reasons as Karl mentions I add Marvel Mystery oil to my gas in my 1967 Firebird and 1971 BSA Thunderbolt. Even if it does little, it makes me feel better than some lubrication is going into the top end. I'll have to try Seafoam, I also heard people swear by it on outboard engines