EPA-AA-TEB-91-02
Emissions and Fuel Economy Effects
of the
Platinum Gasaver,
a Retrofit Device
July 1991
NOTICE
Technical Reports do not necessarily represent final EPA
decisions or positions. They are intended to present technical
analysis of issues using data which are currently available.
The purpose in the release of such reports is to facilitate the
exchange of technical information and to inform the public of
technical development which may form the basis for a final EPA
decision, position or regulatory action.
Test and Evaluation Branch
Emission Control Technology Division
Office of Mobile Sources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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1.0 ABSTRACT '
This report describes the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) testing of the "Platinum Gasaver" as part of its
evaluation under Section 511 of the Motor Vehicle Information
and Cost Savings Act (MVICSA). This evaluation was conducted
at the request of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to verify
the claims for large — greater than 20, percent -- fuel economy
benefits.
The Platinum Gasaver is a vapor air bleed device. It is
installed with a "T" connecter in the Positive Crankcase
Ventilation (PCV) line between the PCV valve and the carburetor
base or induction system. The device consists of a liquid
reservoir, proprietary liquids, an orifice, and connecting
tubing. During vehicle operation, engine manifold vacuum is
used to draw air into the bottle where it bubbles through the
solution, through the controlling orifice, through the "T" in
the PCV line, and by this means is claimed to transport a very
small part of the "platinum concentrate" to the engine where it
is claimed to enhance the engine combustion process.
The device is claimed to improve fuel economy, reduce
emissions, raise the octane of gasoline, and extend engine
life. Only the fuel economy and emission claims for the device
were evaluated in this test program.
Three typical vehicles were tested at EPA's Motor Vehicle
Emission Laboratory. The basic test sequence included 2,000
miles of mileage accumulation, replicate Federal Test
Procedures (FTP) and replicate Highway Fuel Economy Tests
(HFET) . This test sequence was conducted bo'th without and with
the Platinum Gasaver installed.
The overall conclusion from these tests is that the
Platinum Gasaver did not significantly change vehicle emissions
or fuel economy for either the FTP or HFET. The device clearly
did not produce the large — greater than 20 percent — fuel
economy benefits claimed by the manufacturer. Therefore, users
of the device would not be expected to realize either an
emission or fuel economy benefit. Vehicle operation and
performance were unchanged by the device.
EPA previously evaluated the Platinum Gasaver at the
request of a marketeer of the device but did not conduct
confirmatory tests since the applicant did not conduct the
required screening tests following the established test
protocols for this voluntary program.
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2.0 BACKGROUND
Under Section 511 of MVICSA, EPA is required to evaluate
devices which are claimed to improve fuel economy for the
effect of the device on both emissions and fuel economy. The
results of these evaluations are published in the Federal
Register. '
EPA receives information about many systems which appear
to offer a potential for reduction in emissions and/or an
improvement in the fuel economy in conventional engines and
vehicles. EPA's Emission Control Technology Division is
interested in evaluating all such systems because of the
obvious benefits to the Nation. EPA invites developers of such
systems to submit information on the principle of operation
together with available test data. In those cases where the
system shows promise in the screening tests at an approved
independent laboratory, confirmatory tests are run at the
applicant's expense at the EPA Motor Vehicle Emission
Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Most Section 511
evaluations were conducted at the request of the applicants.
Under the MVICSA, EPA is also required to evaluate devices
"at the request of the FTC when it has reason to believe that
fuel economy representation made for a retrofit device being
marketed may be inadequate."2 This test program was
initiated at the request of the FTC to determine if the fuel
economy claims for the "Platinum Gasaver" device are
representative. The results of such test projects are set
forth in a series of test and evaluation reports, of which this
is one.
The conclusions drawn from the EPA evaluation tests are
necessarily of limited applicability. A complete evaluation of
the effectiveness of a device in achieving performance
improvements on the many different types of vehicles that are
in actual use requires a larger sample of test vehicles than is
economically feasible in the evaluation of test projects
The Section 511 evaluation report, of which this testing
is part, is given in "Second EPA Evaluation of the
Platinum Gasaver Device Under Section 511 of the Motor
Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act,
EPA-AA-TEB-511-91-2. This document is available from the
National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia
22161.
40 CFR Part 610, paragraph 610.12(a)
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conducted by -EPA. The conclusions from the_ EPA evaluation
tests can be considered to be quantitatively valid only for the
specific test cars used; however, it is reasonable to
extrapolate the results from the EPA test to other types of
vehicles in a directional manner; i.e., to suggest that similar
results are likely to be achieved on other types of vehicles.
3.0 INTRODUCTION
The Platinum Gasaver is a vapor air bleed device which is
installed with a "T" connecter in the PCV line between the PCV
valve and the carburetor base or induction system. The device
consists of a liquid reservoir, proprietary liquids, an
orifice, and connecting tubing to the PCV line. The plastic
bottle reservoir contains the Gasaver solution to which the
user adds the Gasaver concentrate containing the "platinum
concentrate". During vehicle operation, engine manifold vacuum
is used to draw air into the bottle where it bubbles through
the solution, through the controlling orifice, through the "T"
in the PCV line, and by this means is claimed to transport a
very small part of the "platinum concentrate" to the engine
where it is claimed to enhance the engine combustion process.
The device is claimed to improve fuel economy, reduce
emissions, raise the octane of gasoline, and extend engine
life. Only the fuel economy and emission claims for the device
were evaluated in this test program.
EPA previously evaluated the Platinum Gasaver at the
request of Pegusus Enterprises, a marketeer of the device, but
did not conduct confirmatory tests since:
"The applicant did not submit any valid data to support
the claims for increased fuel economy and lower
emissions. The applicant was advised by letter on several
occasions of EPA's requirement that applicant's submit
valid test data following proper EPA test procedures.
Based on the information provided by the applicant, there
was no technical basis to support any claims for a fuel
economy improvement or emission reduction with the
Platinum Gasaver."3
"EPA Evaluation of the Platinum Gasaver Device under
Section 511 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost
Savings Act," EPA-AA-TEB-511-81-14 or PB 81-226706. This
document is available from the National Technical
Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285
Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
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4.0 PURPOSE OF THE TEST PROGRAM
The purpose of the EPA test program was to conduct a
controlled technical evaluation of the device to determine if
the Platinum Gasaver met its advertised claims. Exhaust
emissions, fuel economy, installation, and safety were to be
specifically evaluated. The other claims -- increased octane
and extended engine life -- were not evaluated.
5.0 TEST PLAN
A test plan was developed by EPA (Appendix A) . The FTC
notified National Fuelsaver Corporation, the manufacturer of
the Platinum Gasaver, of the intent to evaluate the device and
sent the company a copy of the test plan. The manufacturer
declined to participate in this test effort.
4
The EPA test program consisted of th.e checkout of the test
vehicles, mileage accumulation without the device5, replicate
baseline tests, device installation, mileage accumulation with
the device, and replicate device tests. The purpose of the
vehicle checkout was to ensure each vehicle was representative
of a properly-tuned vehicle and would provide a reasonable
reference test condition. Installation was to be done per the
instructions supplied with the product. (Appendix B.)
The vehicles were to be tested using the FTP and HFET.
The FTP is the official EPA test procedure for determining the
exhaust emissions of a vehicle. The results of both of these
tests are also used to determine the fuel economy of a
vehicle. The FTP is described in the Federal Register (40 CFR
Part 86; July 1, 1990) and the HFET is described in the Federal
Register (40 CFR Part 600; July 1, 1990). The vehicles were
not tested for evaporative emissions.
Claims for the Platinum Gasaver not specifically addressed
were the increased octane and extended engine life. The reason
for not using specific procedures to evaluate these claims is
that several of these are in large part subjective and
procedures for their evaluation are neither well defined nor
routinely used by EPA to evaluate devices. Others require
extensive vehicle mileage or engine (out of vehicle) operation.
Letter dated June 19, 1989 from William I. Cowin of
Freidman and Atherton (Counselors at Law for National
Fuelsaver Corporation) to the FTC.
Mileage accumulation consisted of 2,000 miles of driving
over a prescribed route of city and highway mileage. The
same 150-mile route was used for all mileage accumulation.
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Three typical production vehicles were used; a Chevrolet
Celebrity with a four-cylinder engine, a Ford Taurus with a
six-cylinder engine, and a Dodge Van with an eight-cylinder
engine. All vehicles were equipped with automatic
transmissions. A more detailed description of each vehicle is
provided in Appendix C.
5.1 CONDUCT OF TESTING
The testing (including mileage accumulation) was conducted
by EPA. All tests were performed by the EPA at its Motor
Vehicle Emission Laboratory in Ann Arbor. In general, the
testing proceeded as planned.
Test Results - Installation
There were no problems encountered in installing the
device on each vehicle. The instructions were generally
clear. Only simple tools and minimal mechanical skills were
needed for installation. Installation was performed by EPA
technicians and required approximately one hour per vehicle.
The installation on the Chevrolet Celebrity was slightly more
complicated since the PCV line was metal rather than rubber;
and therefore required cutting the metal tubing and installing
reducer fittings to adapt to the small line of the device.
Test Results - Fuel Economy and Emissions
The test results for each vehicle are summarized below.
Emission levels are given in grams/mile while fuel economy is
given in miles per gallon. The individual test results for
each vehicle are given in Appendix D.
Summary of EPA Test Results
FTP .HFET
HC CO NOx MPG HC CO NOx MPG
Chevrolet Celebrity
Baseline .13 2.36 .49 25.9 .04 .67 .27 41.0
Platinum Gasaver .12 2.17 .60 26.3 .04 .74 .37 41.9
Ford Taurus
Baseline .25 4.26 1.17 21.5 .02 .48 .91 36.8
Platinum Gasaver .31 5.73 1.06 22.0 .03 .65 .92 37.5
Dodge Van
Baseline .44 6.03 1.81 14.0 .12 .28 3.03 20.2
Platinum Gasaver .39 5.24 1.83 14.2 .11 .26 3.03 20.1
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These data were analyzed for statistieal significance
using the student "t" test6 technique to determine if the
differences observed were real or due solely to chance. This
analysis showed that for the FTP tests the HC, CO, and NOx
differences were not statistically significant at the 95%
confidence level. For the HFET this analysis showed a very
small decrease in HC emissions for one vehicle and a very small
increase in NOx emissions for another vehicle. Although the
similar analysis indicated that the very small changes noted in
fuel economy might be statistically significant for one vehicle
on the FTP (but not for the HFET on any vehicle), these data do
not demonstrate that the device has a beneficial impact on fuel
economy or emissions. EPA believes that the statistical
significance of this fuel economy change is attributable solely
to the unusually low test variability (less than 1%) noted
during EPA's testing of the device rather than an effect of the
device. The fuel economy test variability normally experienced
at EPA and other test facilities (greater than 2% for even
rigorously controlled correlation programs), would have
resulted in EPA concluding that there was no fuel economy
benefit. Clearly, the Platinum Gasaver did not produce the
large — greater than 20 percent — fuel economy benefits
claimed by the manufacturer. For this reason EPA believes that
real fuel economy benefits are unlikely to be realized in
actual driving when using the Platinum Gasaver. Vehicle
operation and performance were unchanged by the device.
In addition, because all three test vehicles had
relatively low odometer readings (less than 20,000 miles), it
is unlikely that the fuel economy of the vehicles was fully
stabilized. For this reason the mileage, accumulation that
occurred between the baseline testing and device testing would
The student "t" test is a standard statistical method that
provides a powerful technique for analyzing experimental
data involving quantitative measurements especially for
small numbers of tests (i.e. 30 tests or less on each
vehicle). The method allows confidence levels to be
attached to the estimates of the effects of the
independent variable (i.e., device effect). To minimize
test costs for the screening tests conducted by applicants
at independent laboratories, only hot start LA-4 (bags 1
and 2 of the FTP) are required and the data are screened
at an 80 percent confidence level. For confirmatory tests
conducted at EPA, the data are screened at a 95 percent
confidence levels. Note: At a 50 percent confidence
level, there is an equal probability that the device does
or does not have an effect.
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tend to increase the fuel economy of the vehicles and thus tend
to bias the test results in favor of the device. EPA
recognizes this complicating aspect of mileage accumulation but
has had to design Section 511 device evaluation test programs
without this factor since test programs designed to factor out
the mileage effects would be several times larger and the test
costs would escalate for the applicant! Other EPA test
programs do have adjustments for vehicle mileage.
Thus, EPA concluded that the Platinum Gasaver has no
emission or fuel economy benefit (or penalty) for either the
FTP or HFET. Therefore, users of the device would not be
expected to realize either an emission or fuel economy benefit.
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Appendix A
Test Plan for EPA Testing of the Platinum Gasaver
Test Plan
The following is the test plan which will be used by the
EPA in collecting data on the fuel economy and emission effects
of the Platinum Gasaver device of National Fuelsaver
Corporation (a retrofit device under Section 511 of the Motor
Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act). This testing is
being conducted at the request of the FTC.
1. Representative vehicles will be identified and
obtained by the EPA. Representativeness will be based
upon the applicability of Platinum Gasaver as detailed in
the manufacturer's literature; i.e., 1989 year or older,
domestic, gasoline fueled and for engine size and
manufacturer; i.e., small, medium, large engines from
different manufacturers.
2. Vehicles will each be checked and adjusted to ensure
that they are operating in accordance with vehicle
manufacturer's specifications.
3. The test fuel will be commercial unleaded summer-grade
gasoline from EPA storage facilities. This fuel is
routinely used by EPA and its specifications are known.
4. All mileage accumulation will be with this same
commercial unleaded summer-grade gasoline.
5. Baseline mileage accumulation. Each vehicle will
accumulate 2,000 miles on an established road route using
commercial unleaded summer-grade fuel. The vehicle will
then be baseline tested.
6. Baseline tests. Duplicate, valid Federal Test
Procedure (FTP) and Highway Fuel Economy Test (HFET)
procedures will be performed on each test vehicle after
baseline mileage accumulation. Basic vehicle driveability
will be noted.
7. The Platinum Gasaver device will then be installed in
accordance with the written installation instructions
provided with the device.
8. The installations will be performed by EPA personnel.
The vehicles may be checked, as necessary, for correct
operation prior to initiation of these device tests.
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9. Device Mileage Accumulation. Each vehicle will
undergo mileage accumulation on the road sufficient to
bring the total mileage with the device to 2,000 miles
(commercial unleaded summer-grade fuel). For each
vehicle, the mileage accumulation procedure will be the
same as that used prior to baseline testing.
10. Device Tests. After mileage accumulation, the
testing sequence performed for the baseline test will be
repeated with the Platinum Gasaver installed.
11. Data Analysis. Test results will be analyzed to
determine if there is a statistically significant
difference between the data sets (vehicles without and
with Platinum Gasaver).
12. Additional testing may be undertaken by EPA to
further investigate items noted during the course of the
test program.
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Platinum Gasaver Detailed In-House Test Plan
I. Introduction
Comparative exhaust emission and fuel economy data are to
be obtained on late model vehicles both without and with
the Platinum Gasaver. All mileage accumulation will be
done using commercial unleaded summer-grade gasoline from
EPA storage facilities as needed.
II. Test Vehicles
Three vehicles will be tested.
Ill. Required Testing
A. Vehicle Prep
Prior to start of testing, each vehicle is to be
tuned to manufacturer's specifications and parts
replaced as required to ensure proper operation of
the vehicle for 5,000
ensure
miles.
Parts
Air filter
Distributor cap
Fuel filter
Ignition wires
Oil
Oil filter
PCV filter
PCV valve
Rotor
Spark plugs
Tires
check
check
check
check
change use the same
10W30 oil in all test vehicles
change, use OEM
check
check
check
check
check
Adjustments (if adjustable)
Air/fuel mixture
Choke
Curb idle
Fast idle
Ignition timing
Checks
Compression
Record all items adjusted/checked/replaced.
manufacturer's specifications and measured
for all items as appropriate.
Record
values
10
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B. Test Schedule
All vehicles will be tested using the same test schedule:
1. Check tire pressure set for road.
2. Drain and pressure check fuel system. Then refuel
with commercial unleaded summer—grade gasoline from EPA
fuel supply.
3. 2,000 miles of mileage accumulation on an established
road route using commercial unleaded summer-grade gasoline
from the EPA storage facilities.
4. Drain and refuel (approximately 3 gallons).
5. Sun analyzer vehicle specification check.
6. Set tire pressure for dyno.
7. Drain and refuel to 40% fill for prep.
8. LA-4 prep.
9. Overnight soak
10. Drain and 40% fill with chilled fuel. Heat build
with no evaps. Then FTP and HFET tests with commercial
unleaded summer-grade gasoline.
11. Repeat steps 7 to 10.
12. Remove test tires from vehicle and store.
13. Install Platinum Gasaver per manufacturer's written
instruction.
14. Mileage accumulation to 2,000 miles with Platinum
Gasaver using commercial unleaded summer-grade gasoline
from EPA supplies. For each vehicle, the mileage
accumulation route with the device will be the same as
that used prior to baseline testing.
15. Install test tires.
16. Drain and refuel (approximately 3 gallons).
17. Sun analyzer vehicle specification check.
18. Duplicate FTP and HFET tests with the Platinum Gasaver
installed (steps 7 to 10 completed twice).
11
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C. General
The same driver and dynamometer should be used to test a
given vehicle whenever possible. Driveability should
be evaluated on the road and during testing. Written
driveability comments are needed. To ensure only the
proper fuel is used, the vehicles should be equipped with
locking gas caps. Mileage accumulation will be performed
by EPA drivers using an established road route. All fuel
will be from EPA supplies.
12
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Appendix B
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents of GASAVER KIT 3
Installation Instructions 4
Metering device replaces catalytic converter
(excerpt from DESIGN NEWS) 6
Homogeneous Catalysis of Gasoline Combustion By Platinum
and Rhenium
(presentation to the American Chemical Society) 8
Excerpts from Mobil research referred to on page 15 20
Fleet Tests Data 21&22
NATIONAL FUELSAVER CORP.
PACKING CONTENTS and INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
For a vehicle getting at least 9 miles per gallon.
Do NOT pour the GASAVER concentrate into the GASAVER
instrument without following the instructions below.
If your vehicle is under warranty, check with your dealer
that this will not jeopardize the warranty.
1 GASAVER Instrument, filled with GASAVER Solution
1 Plastic "T" Connector
3 Vials of GASAVER Concentrate (Each vial contains enough
platinum for 6,000 miles of driving.)
1 Plastic Self-locking Releasable Strap
A. GASAVER Instrument
B. Horizontal Opening
C. Vertical Opening
D. GASAVER tubing
E. PCV Rubber Vacuum
line of vehicle
T. "T" Connector
PCVVacuumlinc
1. Horizontal opening "B" appears to be closed. IT IS NOT. We
have gone to great expense to create an opening there equal to
1/200 inch. Do not disturb.
2. Locate the PCV rubber vacuum line going from the PCV valve
to the base of the carburetor. Cut that vacuum line at a convenient
spot and insert the two larger legs of the plastic "T" into the ends
of the tube created by cutting it
3. Connect one end of the GASAVER tubing "D" to the third leg
of the "T".
4. Remove BOTH black cap* from the GASAVER instrument and
throw them away. YOU MUST REMOVE THE CAP COVERING
OPENING "C" AS WELL AS THE CAP AT "B".
5. Find a safe and convenient location for the GASAVER instru-
ment "A" under the hood of your car. Keep it away from the hot
parts of the engine and exhaust and avoid sharp comers that might
puncture the instrument. Usually there is a suitable spot behind a
headlight next to a canister, windshield washer container, or battery.
(Do NOT attach to a warm or hot part of the car such as the radiator
or radiator overflow tank.)
6. Secure the GASAVER instrument" A" using the self-locking strap
provided for this purpose. Make sure that the instrument's horizontal
opening "B" faces the "T" (point "T") in the vacuum line "E" to
which the GASAVER tubing "D" has been attached.
7. Attach second end of GASAVER tubing to Horizontal opening
"B" on GASAVER instrument, making the GASAVER tubing "D" as
short and as straight as possible.
8. TURN ON ENGINE. After about 30 seconds you should see
bubbling in the GASAVER Instrument. A bubbling rate of 20 to 30
bubbles in 10 seconds is correct. If otherwise contact your supplier.
9. With your engine still running, slowly and carefully pour one
(1) of the vials of GASAVER concentrate into the GASAVER instru-
ment "A" through the vertical opening "C".
10. Your PLATINUM GASAVER is now fully operational, although
it may take from 200 to 1,800 miles for it to become fully effective.
Even though NONE of the GASAVER solution in the instrument is
consumed during the normal course of driving, the platinum is used
up every 6,000 miles. It is necessary, therefore, to add one (1) of the
vials of the GASAVER concentrate to the instrument each 6,000
miles of driving, to keep this PLATINUM GASAVER process effec-
tive and operational.
(Vertical opening "C" does not have to be covered. However, if
you wish to cover it with nylon stocking material, you may. Just
make sure that the bubbling rate remains 20 to 30 bubbles each
10 seconds.)
13
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Make/Model
Model Year
Vehicle ID
Type
Initial Odom.
Engine
Family
Fuel Metering
Evaporative
Family
Emission
Control
System
Transmission
Appendix C
Test Vehicle Description
Chevrolet Celebrity Ford Taurus
1988 1988
1G1AW5IR6J6164308 1FABP50U5JG281067
Four-door sedan
13423 miles
2.5L/I-4
J1G25V5TPG4
Fuel injected
JAD-1C
EGR
3-way catalyst
Closed-Loop
Automatic
Lockup-3 speed
Four-door sedan
12149 miles
3.0L/V-6
JFM3.OV5FEGX
Fuel injected
AFU
EGR
3-way catalyst
Closed-Loop
Automatic
Lockup-4 speed
Dodge Van
1987
2B4HB21T8HK
266892
B250 Van Wagon
5320 miles
5.2L/V-8
HCR52T2BBF8
2 venturi
HCRTJ
EGR
Oxidation
Catalyst
Air pump
Automatic
Lockup-3 speed
P185/75R14
Tires
Test
Parameters
Inertia Weigh 3,000
hp @ 50 mph 6.3
P205/70R14
3,500
6.6
P225/75R15
5,000
16.1
14
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Appendix D
Test Results
1988 Chevrolet Celebrity, 2.5
FTP
Emissions in Grams/Mile
Test No.
Baseline
# 1
# 2
Platinum
# 1
# 2
1988
HC
.14
.11
CO
2.28
2.43
NOx
.45
.52
MPG
26.1
25.8
liter, 4 cylinder
HFET
Emissions in Grams/Mi
Test
#
#
No.
1
2
HC
.04
.05
CO
.61
.74
NOx
.27
.28
le
MPG
40.
41.
9
2
Gasaver
.12
.12
Ford
Emissions
Test No.
Baseline
# 1
# 2
Platinum
# 1
# 2
1987
HC
.25
.25
2.42
1.92
.63
.56
Taurus, 3.
FTP
in Grams/Mi
CO
4.71
3.81
NOx
1.15
1.19
26.1
26.4
0 liter, 6
le
MPG
21.4
21.5
#
#
1
2
.05
.04
.91
.57
.39
.35
41.
42.
7
0
cylinder
Test
#
#
Emiss
No.
1
2
HFET
ions in Grams/Mi
HC
.02
.02
CO
.51
.45
NOx
.89
.93
le
MPG
36.
37.
5
1
Gasaver
.27
.34
5.78
5.68
Dodge Van,
Emissions
Test No.
Baseline
# 1
# 2
Platinum
# 1
# 2
HC
.40
.47
1.09
1.04
5.2
FTP
in Grams/Mi
CO
5.89
6.17
NOx
1.93
1.70
22.1
21.9
liter, V-8
le
MPG
14.0
13.9
#
#
1
2
.02
.03
.43
.87
.92
. .92
HFET
Emissions in Grams/Mi
Test
#
#
No.
1
2
HC
.12
.12
CO
.22
.34
NOx
3.12
2.94
37.
37.
le
MPG
19.
20.
6
3
9
3
Gasaver
.40
.39
4.79
5.69
1.88
1.78
14.2
14.2
#
#
1
2
.11
.11
.25
.28
2.95
3.11
20.
20.
0
1
15
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