ASK THE EXPERT
Q: I’ve seen a lot of advertisements lately about fuel additives and magnets that can improve fuel economy by as much as 20 percent. Are they the real deal?

A: You’ve heard the old adage that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That definitely applies to these “fuel savers” that you see on the Internet. Additives like fuel-injector cleaner can help restore fuel economy lost due to a dirty fuel system, but that’s more of a maintenance issue. As for magnets, there is absolutely no truth to the claim that putting them on your tank improves fuel economy by breaking apart the fuel molecules for greater efficiency — gasoline molecules aren’t even magnetic.

All that being said, are there ways to improve your fuel economy? Sure. By driving the speed limit, for example. Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your fuel economy by 10 percent. Driving 70 mph instead of 55 mph will lower your fuel economy by 17 percent. Also, be sure to keep up on your vehicle’s maintenance. Properly inflating the tires can improve mileage by up to two percent; filling your tires with nitrogen instead of compressed air will help even more. Finally, travel light — the heavier your vehicle, the poorer the fuel economy.

The bottom line? Beware of any product that claims to be able to improve your vehicle’s fuel economy beyond what it was when the vehicle was new. You’ll end up paying more for the gimmick than what they claim you will save in fuel efficiency.