Eco Plugs - Do they work?

NewDoc · 15th February 2022, 08:12

I have seen a lot of adverts for eco plugs that fit directly into the OBD port. They claim to adjust the ecu so that better fuel economy can be gained. In the current fuel increase climate I was wondering whether to try one. 2 questions do arise though:
1. Because they adjust the ECU, are they dangerous to the running of the car (mines a diesel)?
2. Do they actually work?
Has anyone used one and noticed a difference in performance?

suzublu · 15th February 2022, 09:08

Short answer, save your money

NewDoc · 15th February 2022, 09:58

That was my first impression. there are far too many on ebay ranging from £8 to £40. Thanks for your feedback.

slovcan · 15th February 2022, 12:34

Snake oil. Many ECU's cannot even be manipulated via the OBD2 port. Even if yours can, they are still snake oil.

MSS · 15th February 2022, 23:02

Many of those devices contain nothing more than an LED!

£8 is a lot of money for an LED which only tells you that the unit is consuming power to light up the LED but has no capability to do anything else.

Mike Trident · 16th February 2022, 18:54

I'm sure if their claims are possible, the vehicle manufacturers would have already done it

breakfastinsmethwick · 16th February 2022, 19:13

You could always stick magnets around your fuel line to "align the hydrocarbon molecules".

MSS · 16th February 2022, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by breakfastinsmethwick

You could always stick magnets around your fuel line to "align the hydrocarbon molecules".

That's old technology. The above device with the LED does it via the OBD port.

NewDoc · 16th February 2022, 20:03

Okay. I get the picture. I will wear light boots on my right foot.

COLVERT · 16th February 2022, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewDoc

Okay. I get the picture. I will wear light boots on my right foot.

An egg between foot and pedal works even better.----

----

15th February 2022, 08:12	#1
NewDoc Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire Posts: 104 Thanks: 76 Thanked 64 Times in 23 Posts	Eco Plugs - Do they work? I have seen a lot of adverts for eco plugs that fit directly into the OBD port. They claim to adjust the ecu so that better fuel economy can be gained. In the current fuel increase climate I was wondering whether to try one. 2 questions do arise though: 1. Because they adjust the ECU, are they dangerous to the running of the car (mines a diesel)? 2. Do they actually work? Has anyone used one and noticed a difference in performance? __________________ What have I done? Pass me a spanner, please. 146th of 168 Rover 75s to come off the production line that day, and is the 24th of just 27 Midnight Blue diesel Club spec saloons Born: 2003-10-20 @14:58:12

15th February 2022, 09:58	#3
NewDoc Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire Posts: 104 Thanks: 76 Thanked 64 Times in 23 Posts	That was my first impression. there are far too many on ebay ranging from £8 to £40. Thanks for your feedback. __________________ What have I done? Pass me a spanner, please. 146th of 168 Rover 75s to come off the production line that day, and is the 24th of just 27 Midnight Blue diesel Club spec saloons Born: 2003-10-20 @14:58:12

15th February 2022, 12:34	#4
slovcan Gets stuck in 75 Tourer CDT MK2 manual in Glorious Grey Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Slovakia Posts: 987 Thanks: 926 Thanked 346 Times in 252 Posts	Snake oil. Many ECU's cannot even be manipulated via the OBD2 port. Even if yours can, they are still snake oil. __________________ Southern Slovakia Anything can happen in Formula 1 and usually does - Murray Walker 1999 Triumph Trophy 900, Saddlesore 1600, Iron Butt Riders Association #63720 2005 Rover 75 CDT Tourer MK2

15th February 2022, 23:02	#5
MSS This is my second home Rover 75CDT, Jaguar XF-S 3.0V6, V'xhall Omega V6 Estate, Twintop 1.8VVT, Astra Estate and Corsa 1.2 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7,085 Thanks: 283 Thanked 624 Times in 440 Posts	Many of those devices contain nothing more than an LED! £8 is a lot of money for an LED which only tells you that the unit is consuming power to light up the LED but has no capability to do anything else. __________________ Member of the Peasant Underdog Class, Grade 1

16th February 2022, 18:54	#6
Mike Trident Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDTi Saloon & Citroen C1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Oakenshaw, Near Bradford Posts: 1,622 Thanks: 385 Thanked 552 Times in 328 Posts	I'm sure if their claims are possible, the vehicle manufacturers would have already done it __________________ Rover 75 2.0 CDTi (131Ps) Conn SE Saloon. (Manual) 160 Remap, cruise control, electric window blind, temp gauge, Real walnut / ZT interior, FBH with GSM control. BORN Tuesday, 5th October 2004 @ 12:35:52 This vehicle was the 104,679th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 3,318th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE (135) to be made out of 4,744 This vehicle was the 12,440th 75 in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 14,280 Starlight Silver 75s

15th February 2022, 09:08	#2
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,922 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Short answer, save your money

16th February 2022, 19:13	#7
breakfastinsmethwick Gets stuck in Maintainer of sons ZT M47r Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Shropshire Posts: 624 Thanks: 609 Thanked 124 Times in 100 Posts	You could always stick magnets around your fuel line to "align the hydrocarbon molecules".

16th February 2022, 20:03	#9
NewDoc Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire Posts: 104 Thanks: 76 Thanked 64 Times in 23 Posts	Okay. I get the picture. I will wear light boots on my right foot. __________________ What have I done? Pass me a spanner, please. 146th of 168 Rover 75s to come off the production line that day, and is the 24th of just 27 Midnight Blue diesel Club spec saloons Born: 2003-10-20 @14:58:12