U.S. gas prices—March 17, 2008
Gas prices continue to climb.
National retail fuel price averages
| Price | Change from last week |
| Regular gasoline/gallon | $3.28 | ↑ .06 |
| Diesel fuel/gallon | $3.97 | ↑ .16 |
Regional regular gasoline prices
| Price | Change from last week |
| East Coast | $3.25 | ↑ .06 |
| -New England | $3.21 | ↑ .04 |
| -Central Atlantic | $3.25 | ↑ .06 |
| -Lower Atlantic | $3.27 | ↑ .06 |
| Midwest | $3.25 | ↑ .06 |
| Gulf Coast | $3.18 | ↑ .05 |
| Rocky Mountain | $3.18 | ↑ .07 |
| West Coast | $3.52 | ↑ .07 |
| -California | $3.60 | ↑ .07 |
Source: Energy Information Administration, 3/17/08
Previous
Posted by: Ruben | Mar 25, 2008 1:22:36 AM
News like these, are becoming sadly common these days, and, as we can surely guess, are going to continue and get even worse soon.
The search for fuel saving techniques and alternative fuels is becoming mandatory, but what most people don't know, (yet) is that one powerful and simple technology is already usable, to save huge amounts of petrol-based fuels, by using plain water to extract and use the hydrogen contained in it.
Posted by: Terry Taylor | May 26, 2008 1:35:29 PM
I've read some information on-line about using a device that separates hydrogen and oxygen from the water. The gas is then fed into the fuel line to be burned with the gasoline from the tank. So if this is true and credible, why has it not been tested and marketed as a fuel saver in mainstream stores? I would like consumers to test it! If it works and doesn't harm the engine, it could be a big jump in limiting fuel consumtion!
Posted by: STEVEN | Jun 3, 2008 4:15:53 PM
I've seen those adds and it seems too good to be true. Like hairloss remedies, if they really worked they would be on the front page of the New York Times!
I too would like to see Consumerreports test these claims.
Posted by: Grungebob | Jun 3, 2008 10:46:24 PM
Yeah c'mon CR, test some of these 'Water For Gas' devices that claim to split water into HHO or whatever and can be burned in your car's engine to increase gas mileage. Do any of these work or are they just 'snake oil'? Or is the government and big oil really suppressing this information? CR has never been afraid to step up in the past!
Posted by: Cherie Bamrick | Jun 4, 2008 6:03:03 PM
I live in Green Bay WI and all the stations are at $3.94 and have been bouncing between that and $3.99 for a week now.
Posted by: Dean | Jun 6, 2008 12:06:38 AM
I ordered an HHO generator and installation kit today. Money-back guarantee ... I'll have it early next week. I will install it and monitor performance with a ScanGuage. I will be able to give you exact figures by 6.13.08. Check back for results!
Posted by: JTM | Jun 11, 2008 3:15:02 AM
Dean, thanks for doing the testing. I'm looking forward to your results the next couple days.
Posted by: Mathew | Jun 11, 2008 6:40:06 PM
Dean, I'm on this website for this very reason (Water for Gas products). Im looking forward to seeing if this is real or BS. CS, where are you?
Posted by: Rick R. | Jun 11, 2008 8:31:33 PM
I've been reading on this for a while now trying to decide if it is true or not. Look forward to seeing the results.
Thanks Dean
Posted by: Jennifer | Jun 12, 2008 7:06:04 PM
Dean, do you have any test results for us? I would really like to know how it works...
Posted by: Bryan | Jun 14, 2008 6:06:28 PM
June 14 and no remarks from Dean.... I fear that CR is in bed with the Government on this one guys. For that matter, I pray Dean is still alive. ^^ j/k
Posted by: Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports | Jun 14, 2008 8:58:53 PM
We've been looking at the claims from the miracle water devices, as we plan to test more gas-saving devices. I've seen kits that use mason jars and call for drilling into an engine... Frightening stuff. Regarding any gas-saving device, approach with a healthy measure of skepticism.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/tires-auto-parts/car-maintenance/gassaving-devices-904/overview/index.htm
Posted by: JTM | Jun 15, 2008 1:08:11 AM
To Jeff Barlett/CR:
Jeff, thanks very much for your input. We really need CR's timely help on this issue. I hope you can keep us posted on any preliminary results of testing these water devices. In my opinion, unless there's some miracle involved, if one kg of hydrogen contains the same energy as a gallon of gasoline, I cannot see how a simple electrolysis device can produce enough hydrogen to be significant.
Posted by: Jerry | Jun 15, 2008 9:36:35 AM
Dean,
You have an audience on the edge of their seats. The gas companies didn't kidnap you did they.
Posted by: Cameron | Jun 16, 2008 6:16:42 PM
I am waiting for dean as well. I have a Hydrogen Generator as well and I am waiting to see if the results of it will be beneficial to both gas mileage and the potential damage to the engine. Hurry up Mr. Dean!
Posted by: Rebecca | Jun 18, 2008 4:46:57 AM
Jeff, I along with millions count on Consumer Reports to evaluate what is new. This mechanism is getting a lot of ink and we need sound testing information from Consumer Reports. Please see if this can become a priority.
Posted by: Mike | Jun 18, 2008 11:43:23 AM
Our local news interviewed a man who developed a hydrogen-based system. The reporters ran the car and seemed satisfied that the claims were true. His 1996 Cadillac went from 17 MPG to 53 MPG. Here is the link to the story including video: http://www.whnt.com/Global/story.asp?s=8311741
Posted by: Chrissy | Jun 19, 2008 12:40:08 PM
I am also looking into HHO/ water hybrid kits and can't find many reviews (I did find 2 that said they had a lot of trouble finding the parts to make the kit for Run your car on water - but had no results posted.) that aren't linked to a money making scheme. Any 3rd party review that is credible would be great. Popular Mechanics said they tested one about 2 years ago and it lowered gas mileage 20%. That is remarkable and depressing. I'd like to see Run Your Car on Gas and Water 4 Gas tested by Consumer Reports, please.
Posted by: Gabe | Jun 19, 2008 10:04:02 PM
I have a degree in physics and I understand the idea and it seems plausible. My problem is that it requires a lot of energy to break H2O into HHO and I'm not sure what kind of strain this might put on the electrical system. I have a friend who, with the help of his mechanic, put one on his Toyota Tundra and saw an improvement from 17 to 25 mpg. He is optimistic that they will achieve better results when they get the kinks worked out. On board computers and O2 sensors apparently get confused when HHO gas is introduced. I would still like to see something from CR on it so I could feel better about what it may or may not do to my vehicle.
Posted by: Bill | Jun 21, 2008 2:06:22 PM
Save your money! This is a perpetual motion machine scam. The writer with the degree in physics seems to have forgotten his basic thermodynamics. Surely, one can split water into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen, but the energy required to do so will always exceed the energy returned when the hydrogen is subsequently burned to recombine with oxygen (and re-form the water). Hydrogen-, or if one must say water-, powered vehicles are not only possible, they are part of our intelligent future. But the hydrogen must ultimately be created by energy from an outside source, such as wind, nuclear, or even if one must gasoline, recognizing that the energy out will always be less than the energy in.
Posted by: Stephen | Jun 24, 2008 10:03:35 PM
Consumer Reports: I am surprised that you have not addressed this important concern. There is nothing more worrying than the price of gasoline at this moment. I cannot find any results when I search your site for key words pertaining to this "HHO" device.
I was a nuclear chemist and don't recall such a chemical existing and suspect this is a hoax. But this is exactly why we subscribe to CR. This issue is way more important than anything you are probably testing.
Give us a definitive word of wisdom here. Please respond to us bloggers. Please be bold and sort this out for us consumers so we can save a lot of money by either buying this contraption or not buying it as the case may be. We will appreciate it greatly!
Posted by: Daynan | Jun 25, 2008 3:49:15 PM
I can't beleve that CR has not considered the HHO water 4 gas system as an important issue to evaluate. Please take charge and do what you do. If it's good, great we'll all do it. If it's bad we'll put them out of businnes. Please find out if it's a fraud or our saving grace. we need this.
thanks
Posted by: Wayne | Jun 26, 2008 6:11:29 PM
I too would like CR to do a review and report on this (HHO conversion for improved fuel efficiency).
Posted by: Mary | Jun 27, 2008 12:20:16 AM
I live in Anchorage. At 150 miles away from home the cost of gas is $4.72 and rising. CR would you please advise if the HHO water for gas or similar systems really work.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 27, 2008 9:53:58 AM
All I know is that I have been looking into this for a month or so and am very skeptical, we all want it to work but certainly can't trust internet testimonials. All the write-ups on this fall into two categories. 1. Very good advertising across a broad spectrum, many are intended to look like independent reviews or personal accounts. 2. Bloggers, 1/2 wondering and asking and 1/2 saying it can't work (none have tried).
One thing keeps me searching for info. I have yet to find a single Blogger who says... 'Just installed mine and it didn't do a thing for my MPG'... Come on why can't I find any one who has tested this and not gotten results.