Additech experiment
Those of you who has ever been to a Kroger gas station have probably noticed the ads for Additech. You pay an extra 4 bucks for a "mileage boosting" potion to be added to the fuel. Having seen few stats on the product, I decided to experiment in the name of science.
Cost of Additech potion: $4.27
Average MPG recorded at time of fillup: 34.338 MPG
Cost of gas at the time: $3.809/gal
Next fillup, a week later (burning the potion): 33.047 MPG
Cost of gas at the time: $3.689/gal
Today's fillup (after potion): 34.836 MPG
Cost of gas: $3.599/gal
Cost of driving until the fuel light turns on (~350mi):
Average gas price: $3.699/gal
Baseline (Pre-Additech): (350/34.338)*3.699 = $37.70 (0)
Burning Additech: (350/33.047)*3.699 = $39.18 (lose $1.48)
Post-Additech: (350/34.836)*3.699 = $37.16 (save 54c)
Was it worth it?
(-4.27 potion)+(-1.48 buring potion)+(0.54 after potion) = -$5.18
At this rate, it will take almost ten more tanks to break even. Actually more, since fuel prices are dropping.
Was it worth it? For me, not really. Your mileage may vary depending on how sludgy your engine is. Then again, as gas prices drop, your net savings will be further and further eroded. If my MPG suddenly spikes next week, I'll post an update.
Possible future experiment: Dollar Tree sells mileage booster potions. If they offer similar performance to Additech, it would significantly cut down the time-to-breakeven. (10 >> ~4)
Cost of Additech potion: $4.27
Average MPG recorded at time of fillup: 34.338 MPG
Cost of gas at the time: $3.809/gal
Next fillup, a week later (burning the potion): 33.047 MPG
Cost of gas at the time: $3.689/gal
Today's fillup (after potion): 34.836 MPG
Cost of gas: $3.599/gal
Cost of driving until the fuel light turns on (~350mi):
Average gas price: $3.699/gal
Baseline (Pre-Additech): (350/34.338)*3.699 = $37.70 (0)
Burning Additech: (350/33.047)*3.699 = $39.18 (lose $1.48)
Post-Additech: (350/34.836)*3.699 = $37.16 (save 54c)
Was it worth it?
(-4.27 potion)+(-1.48 buring potion)+(0.54 after potion) = -$5.18
At this rate, it will take almost ten more tanks to break even. Actually more, since fuel prices are dropping.
Was it worth it? For me, not really. Your mileage may vary depending on how sludgy your engine is. Then again, as gas prices drop, your net savings will be further and further eroded. If my MPG suddenly spikes next week, I'll post an update.
Possible future experiment: Dollar Tree sells mileage booster potions. If they offer similar performance to Additech, it would significantly cut down the time-to-breakeven. (10 >> ~4)