News
Magnetic device may reduce fuel costs

The high cost of fuel has most farmers looking for ways to cut expenses; but,
other than parking the tractor, there are not many options. Now a little device
developed by German engineers and displayed at trade shows is attracting the
attention of consumers feeling the weight of high fuel costs.

"The idea for the fuel saver has been around since the Second World War,"
says Canadian distributor, Clair McDougall of CKT International Trading Group,
a London, Ontario-based company. "The Fuel Saver saves on fuel consumption
and improves the performance of your engine."

The Fuel Saver operates on the principle of 'magnetically induced ionization',
according to the company's web site at: www.cktdirect.com. The magnetic device
clamps on the fuel line and will align the nuclei of hydrogen ions in fuel.
Once aligned, the hydrocarbons of fuel will bond with negatively charged oxygen
to encourage more complete and efficient combustion.

The magnetic device clamps on the fuel line and will align the nuclei of hydrogen ions in fuel.

Sounding like something from a science experiment, the Fuel Saver has its fans.
While hard data is scarce, and no replicated studies on the efficacy of the
Fuel Saver are available, anecdotal evidence regarding the device's value from
users is hard to dispute.

"I have Fuel Savers on all my tractors and cars," says Peter Mihailuk,
a farmer in Athabasca, Alberta. "On one of my vehicles I used to get 20
miles per gallon, but now I get 25 miles per gallon. I combine the Fuel Saver
with use of an engine cleaner, because I drive a lot and I need to save where
I can." Mihailuk says he bought 2000 gallons of fuel for his operation
in 2004 and it cost him $6000, now he is convinced the Fuel Saver paid for itself
and reduced his fuel bill. His only advice is to be sure that you have the right
kind of line on which to attach the device. He says it works best on a rubber
or aluminum fuel line, and it cannot be a rubber line that is lined with steel.

The Fuel Saver installs easily and can be transferred between vehicles. However,
the larger the engine, the more Fuel Savers required. One device is needed for
a four cylinder engine, two on six and eight cylinders, and four or five on
larger transport vehicles. McDougall says he puts them on rental cars when he
is travelling to ensure he gets good mileage.

"I use the Fuel Saver and I won't take it off my car because, with the
high cost of fuel, I don't want to risk losing the benefits," admits Dennis
Girard, a Fuel Saver user from Ottawa. "I drove from London, Ontario, to
Ottawa and was amazed at how good my mileage was. I figure I got about 100km
more per tank of gas on that trip." Girard drives a Ford SUV and has changed
vehicles since the London to Ottawa trip. He was so impressed with his improved
mileage that he took the two Fuel Savers off the old vehicle and transferred
them to the new.

In addition, the Fuel Saver reportedly reduces emissions, making for cleaner
air and a cleaner running engine. For about $90 per unit, the Fuel Saver sounds
like a good investment, and those who use it would not be without it.

The company says the fuel line must be rubber, plastic, aluminum, copper, brass
or stainless steel. The Fuel Saver is installed on the fuel supply line as close
as possible to the carburettor, injectors, diesel pump or gas burner. Multiple
units need to be spaced four inches apart.

McDougall says he increased the mileage on his own vehicle by 14 percent, which
he says is the average based on the reports received by truck drivers using
the device. The company web site has pages of testimonials lauding the value
of the Fuel Saver, and their research is attributed to the 'Institute of Higher
Studies'. Since McDougall, Girard and Mihailuk all believe in the device, it
is tempting to give it a try. Also, with the cost of the Fuel Saver falling
within the budget of most, it might be a worthwhile investment. -30-

Too good to be true?
A search on the internet for 'fuel savers' turns up a host of magnetic fuel
savers, such as the CKT Fuel Saver, and other devices based on different technologies.
But are these devices too good to be true?

Canadian Consumer's Report refers to information from the US Federal
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has evaluated many different
types of 'fuel savers' and their web site recommends that consumers be skeptical
of advertising statements such as: "This gas- saving product improves fuel
economy by 20 percent." The EPA has evaluated or tested more than 100 alleged
gas-saving devices and has not found any product that significantly improves
gas mileage. In fact, some 'gas-saving' products may damage a car's engine,
or cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions.

The gas-saving products on the market fall into clearly defined categories.
Although the EPA has not tested or evaluated every product, it has tried to
examine at least one product in each category. In their tests, the EPA looked
at four magnetic fuel line devices and did not find any of these fuel savers
to increase fuel economy, although the CKT Fuel Saver was not in their tests.
Also, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has aggressively targetted companies
who make unsubstantiated advertising claims around fuel savers, and prosecuted
them for false advertising.

For more information from the FTC, go to its web site on 'Gas Saving Fuelishness'
at: www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/ autos/gasave.htm

In the absence of any recognizable third-party Canadian research, providing
a solid recommendation on the device is difficult. Like many products that have
not been scientifically researched by independent third parties, the bottom
line has to be 'buyer beware'. -30-