Magnetic device to save on petrol- any good?

harryharp

Got an email from 'Alternative Stores'- an eco-friendly company, advertising this magnetic thing to put in your car to save on fuel. DH is very skeptical...

Anyone used one of these before, and are they any good?

http://www.alternativestores.com/ethical-shop/eco-gadgets/car-magnet-fuel-booster-twin-unit-petrol-diesel/prod_431.html?

1carminestocky

Ecoflow have been selling one of these devices for years and they have apparently been tested by the govt's Warren Springs Environmental Laboratory (DTI) with positive results (11%+ fuel savings as well as increased power and reduced emissions. It's something I've looked at in the past but never got round to justifying for the price. Maybe it's time to get one...

ktuludays

being an old cynic, I would say no

1carminestocky

I understand the cynicism. I would consider buying from ecoflow on account of their 90 day guarantee. They are fairly long-established as well.

shown73

If they were any good, wouldn't all cars have them as standard??

harryharp

shown73 wrote: »

If they were any good, wouldn't all cars have them as standard??

Yes, that's exactly what DH said...:rolleyes:

penrhyn

How can your doubt it?
Its being sold by an 'Ethical Store', its got eco in the title and its a nice green colour.
If it was Fairtrade, Organic, made from recyled speakers, and non GM it would clearly be a world beater.

:rotfl:

fb9

That Ecoflow site is class! Bad science at its absolute best (or worst?).

I particularly liked this line from the 'Claims on the Warren Spring Test Results' document:

'The change in the combustion process of fuel created by the Ecoflow does not follow conventional theories and therefore is not fully understood by many engineers.'

How convenient. And because engineers and us, the Great British Public, are too stupid to understand it, Nigel Broderick 'Research Director' doesn't even bother to try and explain it. Instead he dresses it up in pseudo-scientific nonsense with terms like 'Central Reverse Polarity'. Honest, take his word for it - it just works.

They even have the cheek to 'prove' the efficacy of their Bioflow magnetic bracelet by referencing the British Medical Journal but, if you actually bother to read the BMJ report, it concludes 'Pain from osteoarthritis of the hip and knee decreases when wearing magnetic bracelets. It is uncertain whether this response is due to specific or non-specific (placebo) effects.' In other words, they still don't know if magnetic bracelets work simply because you think they do. (Link to the BMJ report at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/329/7480/1450?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=ecoflow&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT).

Anyway, back to the claims for the magnetic fuel booster. Complete and utter nonsense. But don't just take my word for it. The Advertising Standards Authority were also less than impressed:

'...The Authority concluded that the advertisers had not proved their claims for either device and it welcomed the advertisers' assurance that they were rewording their advertising literature to comply with the Codes.'

and

'The Authority concluded that the reference to the Warren Spring report was misleading because the testing procedure was flawed and the test vehicle no longer representative. It told the advertisers to delete the reference to the Warren Spring report from their leaflet.' [Though it's still mentioned on their website].

You can read the ASA's full adjudication at http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/non_broadcast/Adjudication+Details.htm?adjudication_id=33701.

Anyone dumb enough to buy any of this magnetic fakery (including bracelets, wine magnetisers or magnetic dog collars) should also consider buying my AutoSnake Oil™. I'd love to tell you what's in it. I'd love to tell you how it works. I'd love to tell you what it does. You just wouldn't understand. Trust me - it just works. Buy now to beat the autumn price rise. £55 for 5 litres or £120 for 10 litres.

shandypants5

:rotfl: 'The change in the combustion process of fuel created by the Ecoflow does not follow conventional theories and therefore is not fully understood by many engineers.'
:rotfl: :rotfl:

I love it.

So if it cant be proven scientifically,and no one understands it, then it MUST be good. Right?

bartman

We've been here before:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=939047&page=2&highlight=magnet+car

It only works in silent films!

Vestra

Hahahahahhaha £24 for a magnet, your kidding right?