Gasoline prices have risen well above $3.00 a gallon all over Southern Arizona. The average U.S. family with two drivers is now paying nearly $1,000 more annually for gas than they were just two years ago according to a recent study by research gurus, Sperling’s BestPlaces.

Although there are practical steps you can take to increase gas mileage, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona warns consumers to be wary of gas-saving claims that empty your wallet, instead of saving you fuel.

Many websites make unbelievable claims for various aftermarket automotive devices (fuel-line magnets, air bleed devices and retrofit gadgets) and oil and gasoline additives that supposedly increase gas mileage for automobiles. The Federal Trade Commission found many of these claims to be either false or overly exaggerated.

Angela Pratt, co-owner of Dan’s Toy Shop in Tucson said they have had customers come to their shop with various aftermarket devices on their cars.

“Usually what happens is the device restricts airflow to the engine, and the check engine light comes on as a consequence,” Pratt told BBB. “As far as helping gas mileage, it either doesn’t do anything or could even make it worse.”

Pratt said that if consumer’s want better gas mileage the best thing to do is use a higher octane gas, noting that drivers with six and eight cylinder engines would more than make up for the extra cost of the (more…)