President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving the Northeast and Eastern Pennsylvania region.

Pain and gas are normally words associated with digestive issues that can be relieved with simethicone. You may be more familiar with the brand names for simethicone: Gas -X or Mylicon. The products promise to help provide relief from the pain and discomfort that can be caused by gas. Unfortunately, they do nothing for the pain we feel at the gas pump.

Gasoline prices have risen 33 percent this year, and with the average cost of gas now at more than $4 a gallon, Americans are struggling to stay on the road without breaking their bank accounts. 

Some businesses though are seeing an opportunity to make money by selling fuel boosting additives or offering engine modifications to help drivers conserve fuel. However, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is advising consumers to stay away from gas saving products, parts and modifications that sound too-good-to-be-true and is offering advice on more reliable ways to conserve fuel.

Over the past decade, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tested more than 100 gas-saving devices and hasn't identified any that significantly improve gas mileage. Energy and Environmental Analysis Inc., a technical consulting firm in Washington, D.C., estimates that 99 percent of the aftermarket products do not really change fuel economy. 

The EPA notes that the majority of "gas saving" products are harmless to vehicles, but testing has found that some products can cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions, thereby increasing the chances of actual engine damage.

In monitoring advertising for truthfulness, the BBB notes that consumers are being inundated with ads that play off frustration over high gas prices. One Web site asks: "Do You Want To Know RIGHT NOW How You Can Drive Around Using WATER as FUEL.While Reducing Emissions and Preventing Global Warming?"

Another Web site boasts that they "have discovered some little-known products that can actually help you increase your fuel mileage 10%, 20%, 40% and possibly more!" The BBB warns consumers to be skeptical of advertisements that claim Unbelievable Results. Consumers should be extremely wary of big promises for big savings. 

Think about it! If a gas-saving product really could increase mileage by as much as 40 percent with little effort or money, it is highly unlikely the inventor would need to peddle the product through spam e-mails or tacky-looking Web sites. Also be on guard for claims of Federal Endorsement. 

While the EPA does evaluate gas-saving products from a clean air standpoint, they do not evaluate products against fuel-efficiency claims. 

No federal agency endorses gas-saving devices or additives. In addition, Glowing Consumer Testimonials may be of questionable veracity. Marketing materials or Web sites for gas savers often contain consumer testimony on the increased fuel efficiency they experienced with the device or additive, but these are often works of fiction devised by the company.

The majority of gas-conserving products are not viable solutions for
significantly improving mileage, but, as the BBB explains, there are a few basic steps that all drivers can take to increase fuel efficiency and get the most out of their gas tank:

* Stay within the speed limit. The BBB recommends that drivers stay within the posted speed limits since gas mileage tends to decrease rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.

* Avoid "jackrabbit" starts and stops. Drivers can improve gas mileage up to five percent around town if they avoid jerky starts and stops. This means accelerating slowly when starting from a dead stop and avoiding pushing the pedal down more than one-quarter of the way; this allows the carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

* Use overdrive gears and cruise controls. Cruise control andoverdrive gears improve fuel economy when driving on the highway.

* Remove excess weight from the trunk. An extra 100 pounds can reducea typical car's fuel economy by up to two percent.

* Keep the car properly maintained. The engine should be tuned, tires inflated and aligned, the oil changed on schedule and the air filters should be checked and replaced regularly. Replacing clogged filters can increase gas mileage up to 10 percent.