Rummaging around eBay, I've found a couple of items that claim to improve gas mileage:
PERFORMANCE CHIP CHEVY S-10 4.3L V-6 1997 1998 1999 98 | eBay
Magnetic FUEL GAS Saver - Chevy models | eBay
I'm wondering if either really works, or if they are so much snake oil?
Personally I can't see either working.
The first one, because it indicates that the car manufacturer has not tuned the ecu properly to work with the sensors present in the car, which I very much doubt.
The second, a little more straight forward, hydrocarbons are not magnetically active, so the magnetic product will have no effect on the fuel what so ever.
Furthermore, if these simple devices could do what they claim, why aren't they standard equipment on cars?
Best plan for gas savings: keep tires properly inflated, keep car tuned up, and #1) Slow down and drive less aggressive.
The auto manufactures wouldn't of spent billions of dollars to get good in some cases great MPG if all they needed was one of these little do dads. I can't say for all manufactures but in Fords the chip will adapt automatically to your driving habits and compensate for the amount of mileage as some sensors change with your miles. They also compensate for the fuel you are using. This all and much more just happens as you drive. Some of todays Fords have over 20 little processors networked and in 99 % of the time they work great. A lot of little things you never think of. Adjusting your wiper speed according to how fast you are driving. Adjusting your radio volume according to the speed you are driving. To imply that they can't make a chip is crazy. Who would of ever thought a car that parks itself using a little processor networked to steering, brake and engine using radar.
My driving habits are not the problem. It is the mileage of the car, as originally designed. I have not made an exact measurement, but it was only supposed to get ~15-18 mpg when new, which is surprising to me, because it is relatively a small car, with only a V6 engine. I did better with my old Corsica with a straight 6, which was 8 years older than the Blazer.
Maybe it's because it is 4WD, but I have not, and I doubt that I will use anything other than 2WD, but maybe the presence of the transfer case itself effects the mileage regardless.
While I don't know that the magnet would be of any real use, it does appear that it would have some kind of effect...even on water, as well as fuel:
Magnetic effects seen in water - physicsworld.com
CSI | Magnetic Water and Fuel Treatment: Myth, Magic, or Mainstream Science?
I suppose that it is easier for some people to accept the current cost of gas, but the memory of the gas wars, back when I was in school, when I recall gas going for 14 cents a gallon, make it difficult for me to adjust, especially since I'm on a very limited income.
Driving habits always make an impact, but you aren't going to take a car that was designed to get 18mpg and turn it into a 50mpg Prius by simply laying off the accelerator.
Couple things come to mind....the blazer is built on a truck frame, and has way more wind resistance, and a different gear box and gearing ratio. And the v6 in the blazer likely has more towing power and such than the sedan based v6 in the Corsica...most likely due to that gearing.
My comments towards driving habits were just made in general. I tire of hearing people in the US complain about the cost of gas, and then watch them fly down the highway at 85mph and drag race from traffic light to traffic light and slam on their brakes at the next light. These people could save themselves some money by driving less agressive. It won't be a ton, but it might equate to $.20 or $.30 a gallon....and at $.20 and $.030 a gallon people wait in lines at the gas station.
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