13 replies to this topic

[nev_payne]

Item in question:

Fuel Ionizer

My question is if this really does improve performance and milage by basically magnetising the fuel? Was seriously considering buying a few in when the pay check drops in.

Any info form the good doctors would be appreciated.

Nev.

[Jammy]

Load of ********!

[ian]

couldnt of put it better jammy

[Sprocket]

It'll get edited though

[chairchild]

put some magnets around your fuel line, you'll be doing the same job :wink:

[dklawson]

Magnets, ionizers, vortex air filter devices... all "snake oil".

Even before you consider these things consider what the "promised" improvements are and do the math to see how long you have to drive to get your money back.

Consider this. In the U.S., certain parts of the country are being hit with adds touting the benefit of replacing the air in your tires with Nitrogen instead of air. The cost for this "service" is in excess of $40 per tire and the benefit is supposed to be an improvement "up to" 2 MPG in fuel economy. Prices are now back around $2/gallon over here and the people who want the Nitrogen typically have SUVs getting about 20 MPG. For 1000 miles you need 1000/20 = 50 gallons which will cost you $100. IF you put Nitrogen in and IF it improves the mileage as stated, you now get 1000/22 = 45.45 gallons = $90.90 That's a savings of $9.10 / 1000 miles. However, you've invested $160 so you have to drive 17,580 miles just to break even. That's assuming you get a full 2 MPG improvement... which you probably won't. God forbid you should get a flat tire and have to buy another tire full of Nitrogen.

Snake Oil and false economy, all of them.

[chairchild]

all nitrogen does in your tyres, is improve the chances of them not losing pressure as easily, and staying at a near constant pressure no matter how hot it gets

So how they think you'll improve mpg, is beyond me!

[Jammy]

I think its more to do with the bigger molecule size, you don't loose air through the tiny gaps in your tyres, because Nitrogen molecules are bigger than air molecules, and therefore the Nitrogen can't escape. I can only assume they suggest you can get better MPG because, if you loose air pressure in your tyre, then they'll be greater friction as your tyre slowly deflates, and therefore you'll use more fuel, and with Nitrogen this won't happen

[Guess-Works.com]

Not being funny, but isn't air 80% nitrogen anyway ??

[Jordie]

yes. that is correct GW.

79% or something, 20% oxygen and only minimal amounts of the rest. if i remember back to my A level days

[Jammy]

Yea, so seems pointless don't it!

[johnnysti]

all nitrogen does in your tyres, is improve the chances of them not losing pressure as easily, and staying at a near constant pressure no matter how hot it gets

So how they think you'll improve mpg, is beyond me!

I bet you what they use as the disclaimer to all that C**p is that by using nitrogen your tyres are less likely to go down reducing the chances of having un-equal preasued tyres which may affect mpg. if you could notice the lost mpg that is!!!!!!!

Just as useful as that chip thing you see on ebay for a couple of quid that does f-all!!!!

[dklawson]

In closing, I guess my point is that with good marketing you can sell some things to just about anyone. In the absence of real scientific studies people who were duped into buying such products will claim to have miraculous results... just so they don't appear silly or thick.

Save your money and invest it in tune-up parts and quality tires the next time you need them. Money spent there will return you more than gimmicky products.

[Sprocket]

all nitrogen does in your tyres, is improve the chances of them not losing pressure as easily, and staying at a near constant pressure no matter how hot it gets
So how they think you'll improve mpg, is beyond me!

Nitrogen pressure will rise and fall with a rise or fall in its temperature as with any other gas but is more consistant and why it is used in searching for that extra tenth of a second lap times in motorsport. It also comes in handy portable packaging again ideal for use in motersport. Also as suggested it will reatain the pressure longer as there are no other gasses such as helium wich is the smallest molecule next to hydrogen and will find its way through the molecular structure of the rubber over an extended period. The lack of oxygen will reduce perishing of the internal surpaces of the tyre but not in the lifetime of any decent tyre though. Other than that there isnt realy a good reason to use N2 in the tyres of your road going car, unless like me you have access to lots of the stuff at work, even then its a pain in the arse to get the regulators and hoses out :cheese: