Fuel-saving gadgets are abundant online, often promising miraculous improvements in your vehicle’s gas mileage. However, many of these devices suffer from a common issue: their technical explanations are vague, confusing, or simply lack any basis in automotive engineering. The Eco OBD2 device attempts to stand out by offering a seemingly plausible approach to fuel efficiency. This small device, measuring approximately 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. Theoretically, it works by modifying the engine management map to reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%. But does the “Eco Obd2 Funciona” claim hold true in real-world testing?
To put the Eco OBD2 to the test, we installed it in a Hyundai HB20 1.6 16V, a popular flex-fuel vehicle designed to run on ethanol, gasoline, or a mixture of both. Following the English-only instructions, the installation process seemed straightforward. We plugged the device into the OBD2 port, typically located under the dashboard, turned the ignition key to the first stage, pressed the reset button for 5 seconds, and waited for about 30 to 54 seconds for the device to connect with the car’s injection module. After starting the engine, the installation was supposedly complete.
However, the instructions indicated that it’s crucial to drive 200 km (approximately 124 miles) for the Eco OBD2 to adapt to the vehicle’s electronic control unit before any fuel consumption measurements could be taken.
With the Eco OBD2 installed and the Hyundai HB20 fueled with gasoline, we headed to our test track in Limeira, SP, to measure fuel economy. During the tests with the device activated, the 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 accuracy, we removed the Eco OBD2 and repeated the same tests under identical conditions. Surprisingly, the results remained unchanged: 11.2 km/l in the city and 16.0 km/l on the highway.
Despite being readily available online marketplaces at an average price of R$ 62.90, the Eco OBD2’s only noticeable function was a blinking light under the dashboard, offering no tangible fuel-saving benefits.
Eco OBD2 Evaluation
The Eco OBD2 device failed to demonstrate any improvement in fuel consumption during our tests.
Rating: 0
Average Price: R$ 62.90
Where to Buy: mercadolivre.com.br (Brazilian marketplace)
