I can’t stand the “Run Your Car On Water” ads and videos. 

I’m sure you’ve seen them as you surf the Internets. Enough already with the pipe dreams of ditching the gas pump and going about your travels on a couple gallons of tap water from your kitchen. I’d prefer to leave the hydrogen technology to the engineers at MIT and BMW; not from Dr. Emmett Brown.

These ads tout the impossible: Easily running your car on water. Of equal importance, the fact that people are ordering a “kit” that will improve their engine’s fuel consumption by AT LEAST 40%. And no, its not just as simple as mixing water and gas and pouring it in your tank.

What you’ll get is a poorly written PDF filled with hyperbole and the rest of the instructions detailing the list of equipment needed to complete your very own ”Back To The Future” vehicle.  Oh yea, this can cost you anywhere from 2k to 18k - depending on how big a sucker you are while watching the instructional videos. Of course, you can always get the DIY kit for about $200 dollars. Unless you’re Mr. Goodwrench, this isn’t recommended.

This is one of my favorite lines from one of the Run your car on water websites:

“Some technical knowledge will be required. If you have experience with cars then you’ll be able to do this easily. Otherwise, it will take you longer.”

Here’s all you really need to know: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to approve and/or endorse any product or device as they simply don’t provide any mileage relief.  A bunch of new hoses, some fancy gas caps and a new mixture of additives is not going to do the trick. It has been acknowledged you may in fact get a very short term boost of mileage, that is before you burn your motor up. You won’t be too happy as you’re stranded with your converted 1992 Ford Escort stationwagon. (Which happens to be valued about as much as the conversion kit you installed.)

And, if it did truly solve our problems, don’t you think the websites selling these manuals and kits would look like they were made, at least, in this century?

This scam was was also popular in the ’70’s during the gas crisis.  The only difference now is the power of the Internet to spread the word faster and play on your fear of $10 gas…don’t fall for it.

For even more energy consumption lingo and engine technology shop talk, check out Mike Stockley’s informative Squidoo Page about the run your car on water scam. [Take it with a grain of salt; probably an affiliate]

Get your research from a credible source such as the EPA, change your driving habits and consider buying a quality used car with better gas mileage. That’s the most reliable and safest solution to try and beat the pump.

Rate This Post…

The 2004 Nissan Maxima SE earned this week’s Kool Whip of the Week honor. Very tight ride. High quality engineering. This is basically a four-door 350z. Bring along a couple of extra friends for the ride. Make them pay for gas.

Are you making a change from a larger vehicle, or SUV, to something more economical? I know my own used car search criteria has changed…last year I was considering a second SUV. Not a chance now.

This Maxima just shot to the top of my list. How has your used car search changed?

Several months of planning. Lots of sweat. A boatload of people. And a few laughs.

That’s what goes into opening a new, used car store location. Take a look at the end result.

How cool does this look?

I remember being that kid in the back of the class dreaming about cars…

Do you remember the Mach 5 gadget-laden steering wheel? Eight buttons providing pure tech-heaven with 5,000HP.

• A:  Pushing this button set off the automatic jacks for instant repair jobs.  It was also used to strategically cause the car to jump when needed. 
• B: This controlled the tire’s gripping abilities regardless of the surface. Flat, ice, water, the side of a building, etc.
• C: Simply push this button when driving on lots of wood; this also controlled the two rotary saws hidden within the hood.
• D: Very cool feature…creates a transparent bullet/crash proof cover over the top of the car. Also useful when going for an underwater drive.  
• E: Night vision driving “lights” - also triggered the infrared lights in Speed Racer’s helmet.   
• F: For those underwater jaunts; provides access to the oxygen tank, a periscope and an in-car video screen.
• G: Homing Robot launcher. 
• H: This calls the Homing Robot back to the hood of the car.

Can’t wait to take the kids to this flick. [That’ll be my excuse.]