Gainex
Coghill Research Laboratories
Alexander House
Lower Race
Pontypool
Gwent
NP4 5UH
- Trading As:
- Gainex
- Product:
- Fuel
Background Information
Misleading Advertising - Gainex is in breach of the UK Advertising Standards Code for making efficacy claims about LowGas, a magnetic fuel device.
The ASA published an adjudication against Gainex on the 16 November 2011 (see below). The ASA investigated whether Gainex could substantiate the efficacy claims for LowGas, a magnetic fuel saving device on www.gainex.co.uk. The website claimed that LowGas was a fuel economiser which could save on fuel costs, clean carbon deposits on engines, reduce emissions, keep limescale at bay and work on petrol or diesel engines. Gainex did not supply any evidence in support of its claims for LowGas.
Although the ASA has adjudicated against Gainex, and has made requests for an assurance of future compliance, Gainex continues to feature problematic claims on its website.
Because of Gainex’s continued non compliance we took the decision to place its details on the ASA section of the website on 29 November 2011.
These details shall remain in place until such time as “Gainex” has removed or appropriately amended the claims on its website to ensure compliance with the CAP Code.
ASA summary of adjudication
Claims on a website for a magnetic fuel device, seen on 29 July 2011, stated "Save Money and the Planet with LowGas fuel Economiser. It Works!... Save around 15% on your fuel costs. Needs no maintenance. Easily transferable from car to car. Cannot harm your engine or void your warranty. Cleans existing carbon deposits on your engine. Boosts engine performance. The lowest priced product of its kind on the UK market".
Under a heading "How it Works", text stated "... By applying LowGas to your fuel line ... This then results in a reduction in harmful emission gases ... Will it work on fuels other than petrol? Yes, it will work on petrol, diesel as well as bottled methane and propane gas. If you attach LowGas to your waterline, it will keep limescale at bay too".
Under a heading "Road Test Results", text stated "Tests of LowGas Gainex over 2 months (20 tank fills) showed a 15 percent improvement in fuel consumption, saving over £90 at present prices in the Period (vehicle: Hyundai Accent 1.5 litre saloon)". Underneath, a table contained data under three headings: "Manufacturers MPG", "MPG With Gainex LowGas" and "Percentage of MPG Increase". Text alongside stated "Average of percentage increase 15.3".
Six issues were investigated, all of which were upheld:
1. "Save around 15% on your fuel costs”;
2. "Cleans existing carbon deposits on your engine";
3. "If you attach LowGas to your waterline, it will keep limescale at bay too";
4. "... it will work on petrol, diesel as well as bottled methane and propane gas";
5. Whether the road test results were misleading and could be substantiated;
6. Claims that the device could "Save ... the Planet" and reduce "harmful emission gases".
Because Gainex had not provided any evidence to support the claims on their website, the claims had not been substantiated and as a result the ASA concluded that they were misleading.
Relevant Adjudication
