With the price of gas at record levels, a host of fuel saving products are being advertised. If you do a search for the key words "fuel saving devices" google will find 1.5 million pages as a result of the search. It never ceases to amaze that so many unscrupulous individuals try to take advantage of specific situations in order to scam you out of your hard earned money. And that is exactly what these gas saving devices are, scams.

This current scam takes advantage of driver's overwhelming desire to cut their gas costs. The scam artists are using deceptive advertising to convince you that a fuel saving product installed on your vehicle will miraculously cut your fuel usage up to 30 percent or higher. The Federal Trade Commission through research and US government testing of every kind of device and additive has some advice for all consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission warns drivers to be extremely wary of any gasoline saving claims for additives or devices. The test and research results to date show that there has not been any fuel saving device that significantly increases fuel economy in any way!

There are a few themes used in most gasoline saving product advertising. Here are some to be wary of:

One popular deceptive advertising scheme is this: the ad claims "This gasoline saving product enhances gasoline economy by 20 percent." Like that example gasoline saving devices claim increases in economy up to 25 percent and sometimes even higher. The Environmental Protection Agency has thoroughly tested, researched and evaluated more than 100 supposed gasoline saving products and additives and so far has not found any one of them that significantly increases gas mileage. In other words non of the gas saving devices work. In some cases, the test data showed that "gasoline-saving" products actually could damage your engine and could cause an increase of gasoline exhaust emissions. That could cause your vehicle to fail some state required emissions tests and that could cost you even more money.

Another deceptive advertising method used are ones that are based on great and glowing testimonials from satisfied consumers and drivers. An example: "After putting your product on my vehicle, I saw that I started getting an extra 6 miles per gallon of gas." Don't rely on some amateur drivers claim to justify spending your money.

These types of deceptive advertisements use testimonials from happy drivers as the proof that the product works. No consumer or driver has the proper equipment or the training to test for precise changes in fuel economy. Even if the consumer had the right equipment they could not control the conditions that affect fuel economy a great deal.

Different variables affect gasoline mileage. These include road conditions, weather conditions, traffic conditions, and the condition of the vehicle. For example in one deceptive advertising case that was researched, a driver wrote a letter praising a "gasoline saving" device. Of course this consumer forgot to mention that when he had the aforementioned device installed, he also had his car completely tuned up. The increase in fuel economy that was attributed to the "gasoline saving" device in the letter was most certainly a result of the tune up and not the device. The device advertisement did not mention this, so other drivers and consumers would never know it was the tune up not the device that accounted for any increase in fuel economy.

You have now read of a few of the deceptive methods that companies selling gasoline saving products use to convince you to buy their product. Unfortunately there are many other deceptive methods used. Those companies are taking advantage of high gasoline costs which require drivers to seek any way to lower their gasoline costs. Don't become a victim of these deceptive practices. Don't forget, if it sounds too good to be true, it is! Buyer beware!

Scott Siegel is the author of a 143 page manual of industry insider information on saving gas and money at the pump. Visit us to learn how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.

Source: www.isnare.com