Fuel-saving devices are widely available online, often promising miraculous improvements in your car’s gas mileage. However, many of these gadgets suffer from a common issue: their technical explanations are vague, obscure, or simply lack any basis in automotive engineering. The Eco OBD2 claims to be different, offering a theoretically sound approach to fuel economy. This small device, roughly 7 x 2 cm, plugs into your car’s OBD2 port – a standard feature in vehicles manufactured since 1996 in the USA and 2010 in Brazil. Eco OBD2 purports to modify your engine’s management map, leading to a claimed fuel consumption reduction of up to 15%. But does the “Eco Obd2 Funciona Mesmo” as promised? We put it to the test.
Further Reading:
>> Fuel Economizer Test: Fuelshark Review
>> Learn the “Slow Drive” Method to Reduce Fuel Consumption
>> All About Car Products at QUATRO RODAS
Designed for vehicles running on ethanol, gasoline, or flex-fuel, we tested the Eco OBD2 on a Hyundai HB20 1.6 16V to see if it lived up to the hype. Following the English-only instructions, the installation process seemed straightforward. We located the OBD2 port (typically found under the dashboard), plugged in the device, turned the ignition key to the first stage, pressed the reset button for 5 seconds, and waited between 30 to 54 seconds for the device to supposedly connect with the car’s injection module. After this, starting the engine completed the installation process, at least according to the manual.
However, the instructions also stated that it’s necessary to drive 200 km (approximately 124 miles) for the device to properly adjust to the vehicle’s electronic control unit (ECU) settings. So, with the car fueled with gasoline and the Eco OBD2 installed, we headed to our test track in Limeira, SP, to measure fuel consumption.
With the Eco OBD2 connected, the Hyundai HB20 achieved 11.2 km/l (approximately 26.4 MPG) in urban driving and 16.0 km/l (approximately 37.6 MPG) on the highway. To ensure a fair test, we removed the device and repeated the measurements under the same conditions. The results were identical: 11.2 km/l in the city and 16.0 km/l on the highway.
Despite being sold on platforms like Mercado Livre for an average price of R$ 62.90, the Eco OBD2’s only noticeable function was a blinking light under the dashboard. It failed to deliver any measurable fuel savings.
Eco OBD2 Review: No Fuel Efficiency Improvement
The Eco OBD2 device did not result in any reduction in fuel consumption during our tests.
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
Average Price: R$ 62.90 (approximately $12 USD)
Where to Buy: mercadolivre.com.br (Brazilian marketplace – similar to eBay)
