What is the lowdown on gas saving devices like the tornado?

Question

I have a Ford F-150 5.4 liter triton it gets about 14 mpg city and 17.5 on the highway. I have a functional ram air hood with air raid intake system. Its suppose to give me up to 10 percent increase fuel economy and more midrange power and low end torque.............. I cant tell if it has or not. Are there other devices that will save fuel? Do devices like the tornado actually work?? If they do work why dont manufactures build vehicles with all these devices included??

Answer 1

You've hit on the answer yourself. They're not installed at the factory because they DON'T work. Plain and simple!

The US EPA tests these devices periodically. Here's a link to the US FTC website with more information.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/gasave.htm

You'll note that there ARE a very few devices that do have a minimal positive impact. Many of these systems are already in wide use by the manufacturers such as one that cuts out the air conditioner compressor at near full throttle settings.

The vast majority of them are nothing more than scams.

Answer 2

the vehicle agencies are not any more holding any gasoline saving contraptions from the marketplace. imagine about it. If GM invented some thing like that it will be on each variety they make as a promoting device. what number customers would get a GM product if it used 0.5 as a lot gasoline as the different manufacturers. there is one reason a automobile corporation would no longer positioned a gasoline saving gadget on their vehicles. If the gadget replaced into so intense priced that it fee better than the gasoline which will be kept the vehicle will be too intense priced to compete in the marketplace.

Answer 3

Stop! Don't buy that Tornado just send me the $70 bucks you'll pay for it... you'll save just as much gas doing it. Look every time the price of gas goes up some con-artist comes up with something like this. Gas magnets, fuel additives, it's all crap! They know for a fact that there will be many suckers that will fall for it. The only thing you can do to save gas is keep you ride in peak operation condition, check your tires regularly and keep your heavy right foot in check!

Answer 4

You've answered your own question. If a cheap molded piece in the intake could increase fuel economy, car manufacturers would install them in everything to increase their CAFE numbers.

So, no, they don't work. They're a scam to prey on the gullible.

(added later) Bostonian's website link (below) is very useful; I didn't know the EPA had tested these things. You should give him Best Answer.

Answer 5

If you are talking about the device that fits between your throttle body and intake, I put one on my Dakota from Summit, it's called "Helix Power Tower"=89.95$, and it was well worth it, not only did it give me some increase in power, but, my mpg increased by at lease 2 to 3 mpg. Also another help was when I installed the Platinum+4 spark plugs. and I went to 3" exhaust system using a flow master muffler.

Answer 6

Those devices are all a scam. If you want better gas mileage in a pick-up, buy a Nissan Frontier ot Toyota Tacoma.