Gas prices are $1.20 less nationwide than they were a year ago, but don’t you wish you could fill up less often?

There’s a newish gadget that offers help. It claims it can increase your miles per gallon by 20 percent on average and by 33 percent on highways.

The device is called a Kiwi and it’s as simple as using an MP3 player -- you plug it into your car. It works with all cars (including hybrids and trucks) made in 1996 or later. The Kiwi claims to boost your MPG by:

• teaching you 20 lessons to drive more efficiently (each one gets progressively harder)
• giving you real-time information about how your guzzling habits (it frowns on STOP! GO! STOP!)

As you drive, the Kiwi scores your smoothness, acceleration, deceleration, and drag, from 1 to 100. Kind of like a gas coach.

The device calculates a lot more than most car computers, including how many dollars you’ve saved and spent, and how much gas you’ve used each trip. My car only gives me my average gas consumption and how many miles I have left in my tank.

The Kiwi can also diagnose what is wrong when your “check engine” light goes on, including these 26 problems. The other major benefit of using a Kiwi is that it tells you how much you are reducing your CO2 signature -- so you can please your wallet and the planet at the same time.

Now that I’ve gushed about this amazing-sounding device, let’s look at the numbers.

Does the Kiwi really save you money? It’s got a hefty price tag, $90-$300, depending on the model. The site claims it saves the average driver $560 over a year, more for trucks and SUVs.

So technically you could make you money back in six months. I’d love to test one out to let you know for sure how much money can be saved. If the company sends me one I will share my experience!

Don’t believe the hype? Watch Kiwi’s promo video.

Related:

Gas -- buy cheap or nearby?

Roundup of tips to cut gas use

AAA’s fuel gauge report (takes you to another site)

Tagged: on Thursday, September 24, 2009 · 1 Comment »