Briefly

FuelMax Provides Refunds

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

has determined that the marketers of

FuelMax, a magnetic “fuel saving”

system, made deceptive claims about

the product’s ability to improve fuel

efficiency and reduce emissions.

Although FuelMax marketers denied

the charges, they paid $4.2 million to

settle with the FTC and are banned

from further manufacture, advertising

and sale of the product. Consumers

who purchased the product have until

June 18, 2008 to request a refund by

completing and mailing the appropriate

claim form, available for download

at www.fuelmaxlitigation.com or by

calling 1-800-356-4638.

Aftermarket Additives

According to the “Basic Handbook of

Lubrication,” most equipment and

lubricant manufacturers do not

approve of aftermarket lubricant additives

or stay silent about their use.

Equipment manufacturers are concerned

about potential equipment

damage, while lubricant manufacturers

are concerned about negative effects

on their formulations. However, in

order to reduce additive package costs

and boost profits, some manufacturers

produce lubricants of marginal quality,

leaving the door open to market their

own aftermarket lubricant additives.

“It is this apparently contradictory

stance that has consumers confused,

and most simply decide for themselves

or take the advice of their trusted

mechanics or suppliers.” Because

AMSOIL synthetic lubricants are formulated

with premium synthetic base

stocks and additives that provide maximum

protection and performance, use

of aftermarket additives are not recommended

with AMSOIL products.