Wouldn’t it be nice to pour something in or bolt something on, and see a significant increase in fuel economy from your vehicles? Sadly, experts agree that such things don’t really exist.
Especially in times of record fuel prices, it’s tempting to believe that an aftermarket product can yield an mpg advantage – but keep your eyes open. Such products generally take the form of fuel or oil additives, and bolt-on hardware. While some may provide other limited benefits, none, say experts, are effective at significantly boosting fuel mileage.
Adding little to your tank
While there are legitimate additives used to address specific operating challenges – like those that prevent fuel gelling in extremely cold climates – “I’ve never found one that improves fuel economy,” says Darry Stuart, president of DWS Fleet Management Services, based in Wrentham, Mass.
Stuart is a fleet manager with 30 years’ experience, and he’s a past recipient of CCJ’s Career Leadership Award. “If you’re convinced that one might work, test it,” Stuart says. “Just commit to it. Make sure you have a system in place to make sure it’s being added at the recommended interval and dosage. Then make sure it’s cost-effective – that is, determine if the cost of the product outweighs any benefit it might provide. Even if the cost/benefit is a wash, what good is it?”
“We’ve not found a fuel additive that changes combustion,” says Zack Ellison, Cummins’ director of customer technical support. “But we have found some that actually aid particulate filter regeneration.”
“There are no miracles,” says Rodica Baranescu, manager of fuels, lubes and coolants at International. “But say you’re using a substandard fuel that doesn’t meet industry specs for lubricity. Then a lubricity additive could slightly improve mpg – along the order of 1 to 2 percent.” Baranescu cautions, however, about overdoing it. “Additives are like medicine,” she says. “Some can improve certain fuel characteristics that might be lacking, but like overmedication, too much can do harm.”
As for oil additives, “If an additive thins viscosity, there could be some benefit, due to less churning loss, just the same as if you used a lighter-weight oil,” Ellison says. “But then you run the risk of sacrificing engine longevity.”
