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Test Finds Gas Additive Doesn't Improve Mileage

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Jul 31, 2008 5:57 am US/Mountain

Test Finds Gas Additive Doesn't Improve Mileage

Written By Rick Sallinger
DENVER (CBS4) ― With gas prices skyrocketing, the popularity of gas additives that claim to increase mileage is increasing. But do they work? CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger decided to put one of one of these additives to the test.

It's called "Additech." Consumers can find it at more than two dozen gas stations operated by King Soopers across Colorado.

When pulling up to the pump, drivers hear a series of tones and a voice which announces, "Save $2 today on Additech Max Protection and get up to 10% better gas mileage."

CBS4 decided to give it a try.

"What I've been told is it takes at least one full tank of gas to see any results," said Trail Daugherty, the director of Consumer Affairs for King Soopers.

CBS4 chose the Additech Mileage Booster, for an extra $3.72 per tank. It's supposed to clean the engine to improve the mileage.

It goes in as one fills up with the gas.

Jeffrey Kimes with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was skeptical.

"We give everyone a chance to prove to us that they have the magic potion, but so far nobody has been able to do it," he said.

CBS4 took one of its news cars to the National Center for Vehicle Emissions Control and Safety at Colorado State University.

CBS4 asked vehicle tester Joe Beebe, "If this additive really improves gas mileage will you be able to tell?"

"Yes beyond a very small residual amount," he replied.

The first step, test the car before putting in the Additech.

They conducted what is called a "town and country cycle" up to 58 miles per hour averaging 30 miles per hour simulating an urban commute.

Here's the results. An average of 20.195 miles per gallon.

So next, testers put in gas purchased with Additech Mileage Booster.

Again the same tests were run four times.

Before it was 20.195 miles per gallon, but with the additive it was 19.93, slightly less, but statistically insignificant.

The vehicle tester Joe Beebe said, "Which means that someone driving this vehicle would not experience a change in fuel economy out in the real world that would be negligible."

CBS4's Rick Sallinger passed along the results to Trail Daugherty of King Soopers and asked, "What would you say if I told you we tested it and it showed no improvement in mileage?"

The reply, "I would say that interests us. We would like to see the results of the tests because any information that comes to us that can help us make a better decision on whether to carry a product or not is always helpful."

The producer of Additech is Lubrizol. It tested seven different cars and says all cars showed fuel efficiency improvements. Some up to 5.7 percent with an average of 2.3 percent. But other substances, now included in the additive, bring the improvement up as high as 10 percent.

A spokesman for Lubrizol told us it is difficult to measure fuel economy and says it works better on dirty, older cars rather than new ones.

King Soopers is offering a refund to anyone who is dissatisfied with the product.

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