As Seen On TV - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 09-05-2003, 06:54 PM

Has anyone used the Tornado Fuel Saver? If so, does it really work?

The manufacturer's website: www.myauto.tv

DCM · #2 09-05-2003, 07:30 PM

I am embarrassed to admit that I have one. A friend said he had one on his Suburban and it worked great and increased his mpg.

My Suburban gets 9 mpg so I was desparate to get anything that would improve it. The Tornado was installed and I still get 9 mpg and cannot notice any difference in performance.

To conclude this response. Save your money.

Just curious. What vehicle are you thinking about putting one on?

slowmoe · #3 09-05-2003, 08:12 PM

Air is not a limiting factor in a diesel engine as it is in a gas engine. A gas engine balances air that is throttled in with gas and then is ignited by spark. Conversely, a diesel engine’s air enters unthrottled and power is determined by the amount of fuel that 1) enters the combustion chamber and 2) combusts under pressure. Therefore, any product that increases airflow to a diesel is a waste of money.

#4 09-05-2003, 08:40 PM

This is a scam, just as any fuel magnets, exhaust "turbo" vanes, air swirlers, or throttle wedges.

The Warden · #5 09-05-2003, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slowmoe
Therefore, any product that increases airflow to a diesel is a waste of money.

Umm...going by that logic, it's not worthwhile to have a turbocharger on a diesel either.

I too think that that product is a waste of $$, but it can be beneficial to get more air into the cylinders. This includes a ram-air setup and a turbocharger. slowmoe's right that air by itself is useless, but if you get more air in there, you can use more fuel safely, and thus have more power. But, air by itself wo'nt do it. It's necessary to "turn up" the fuel as well, and if you start doing stuff like that, it's a really good idea to install a pyrometer, and then keep a religious eye on it while driving.

P.E.Haiges · #6 09-05-2003, 11:08 PM

Warden,

I was just about to make the same comment about a turbocharger on Diesel engines. But you did it so well that I won't have to.

P E H

#7 09-06-2003, 12:38 AM

Into 97 Dodge Caravan with 3.3 6 cylinder engine, but now I won't.

Stevo · #8 09-06-2003, 01:25 AM

My euro "85' 240d had one in the air filter housing when bought the car. I took it out a while back an am willing to part with it at a very reasonable price. It worked so well that I felt guilty about getting such good fuel mileage

I just couldn't stand it any longer. Nah, nothing changed when I took it out .

kennysin · #9 09-06-2003, 01:36 AM

I have used the "cyclone" which was the original marketed product in my previous carburetted cars where it was possible to place obtain a swirl effect just before the addition of fuel and hence enhance mixing. In those cars, I felt there was some benefit (Daihatsu Charade, w123 200).

I recently placed one in my w126, just within the air-filter housing. It made no difference.

In this case, I think it is just too far away from the intake manifold to have any residual effect. The presence of the air-flow sensor also disrupts the cyclical swirl. Unless you can get it to fit into the intake manifold just before the injectors, I don't think it works (it definitely does not on my car).

However, it is an interesting concept, and I understand it was hugely profitable considering the price vs what is essentially a nicely shaped tin-can. At least there seems to be some science in this, compared to the use of magnets to enhance fuel quality, for example.....

bodyart27 · #10 09-06-2003, 10:00 AM

Don't you think if a $1 piece of tin would increase performance and gas milage all manufacturers would have this as an OEM piece?

My favorite scam is the $.01 sticker you put under the cell phone battery to increase reception "like you have a 4' long antenna!"

Again, if it worked, the manufacturer would be doing it - right?