Karin Kloosterman

Putting the Z5 to the Emissions and Power Test

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z5-happy-customer save gas emissionsSince writing my first article on the Israeli-invented Z5, a small add on to your car’s air filter to save gas, there has been no shortage of skepticism and critics. I’d blogged about it on TreeHugger and the article was pulled due to all the negative feedback by readers who hadn’t tried it.

The public knows they are no fools: any mention of a “device” that sounds like a Cyclone Fuel Saver, FuelMAX or Water4Gas elicits a knee jerk response. How could a small cylinder added to your car’s air filter save gas, decrease pollution or give your car more power?

People want to believe that they can save up to 30% gas, and spare the environment from emissions, but does it work?

To test the company’s claims that the $208 mail-order Z5 can help the environmental cause, Green Prophet took Gal Luft from Set America Free to a garage in Israel to emissions test and power test cars before and after the Z5 installation.

Here’s what we found:

z5-luft-hand z5 test emissions photo
(An up close of the Z5)

I know Luft likes to call things as they are, and that he’d be a good person to talk this over with. Eli Mor from Z5 picked us up at the train station and we headed to the “Test Be Sharon” garage in Petach Tikva (phone number 09 767 5555). There we met with Moshe Badash, the co-inventor of the Z5, mechanics who have the Z5 installed in their cars, and also people who we picked up off the street to have the device fitted in their car.

The term “device” sounds kind of an exaggeration in the case of the Z5 because it looks relatively simple. It’s about 6-7 cm in width, about 8 cm across, with walls about 2 mm thick.

A pie pattern, seen in one of the pictures above, is not for changing air flow patterns, but for improving the contact of air molecules with the alloy it’s made from. I was kind of shocked when one of the mechanics started cutting one apart – removing one slice of the pie – to fit it into a 2008 VW Touareg, but Badash says the effect of the Z5 on the engine performance has nothing to do with air flow: “It’s not changing or restricting the air flow. It’s changing the molecules of the air for microseconds,” he says.

z5-k-test-before z5 emissions test garage air pollution before
(Emissions before, see K value 0.5 on right side)

z5-k-test-after z5 air test pollution smoke test after results photo
(Emissions after, see K value 0.1 reduced on right hand side)

If you like the background on the story, read my piece on ISRAEL21c here. Or Ehud’s story in the Jerusalem Post.

Emissions

According to the emissions test on the Touareg (diesel), emissions decreased by 80% after installing the Z5. See the papers above. Emissions are measured by the k value. We looked at 3 other cars, a 2001 Renault Kangoo (diesel), a 2004 Tourneo Connect (diesel) and an unleaded gasoline car, which I am going to have Luft sum up after the fuel savings test later this month.

He has the test results on paper, and I have them on video which will take me some time to edit. Luft says not going to make any conclusions about the Z5 until after the final test, but he seemed very positive about what we saw.

z5-fit-touareg how it looks in your car

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Fitting the Z5 into a Touareg as Luft (left) and Badash (right) talk about how it works.)  

Power

For the power test, we looked at a 2000 VW Bora 1.6 which at first registered a 88.3 Hp, and after the ZP installation it went up to 116 Hp.
A 2002 Honda Civic VTech 1.6 before the Z5 clocked in at 91 Hp, and after the Z5 111 Hp. A 20% increase in power.

Miraculously, or maybe not, the cars had returned to the same performance as though they were just driven off the lot. I saw the tests with my own eyes. Could there be room for error? Possibly, but only if the mechanics at the garage are in collusion with the company to “fix” the results on the computer, something I highly doubt.

z5-air-filter(The Z5 fits into your air filter).

What I sum up from going to the garage to see the Z5 installation:

The Z5 reduces emissions. One car after being fitted with it was able to pass the emissions test. Without it, it would need to get its filters cleaned. I’d need a bigger sample size to give you a percentage of emissions saving but it looked quite radical, up to 80% per car.

The Z5 can provide more power. According to the 2 tests we saw at “Test Be Sharon” it does. About 20%. Again, we’d need a much larger sample size to draw any conclusions.

Gas savings. Herzl Biton, a mechanic at the garage says he has a Z5 fitted on his Hyundai and instead of 18.8 liters per 100 km, he now gets 16.5 liters per 100 km. Gal Luft says he intends to go out in the field later this month to test for fuel savings. He’ll be giving his sum up on the Z5 at that point.

Would I buy a Z5? Yes. If I had a car I would. With personal contacts to the company, I know that if it doesn’t work or you’re not satisfied, they will return your money. I received a complaint from a Canadian buyer who’d read my story about the Z5 in a Canadian paper. Turns out it wasn’t fitted properly and now she’s a happy customer.

It could be a great add on if you own a fleet of cars; talk with Eli Mor he might be able to make you a promotional deal.

One bit of advice: If I bought a Z5 I wouldn’t try and install it myself. Even though the company says it’s not difficult to fit, cars today come in all ranges of sizes, with air filters in hard to reach places. (Not to mention that I thought the engine was the air filter). I’d suggest taking it to a garage, and have it done there. If you don’t notice an emissions reduction, gas savings, or more power, ask for your money back. With a 30 day money back guarantee I don’t see what you have to lose.

As for gas savings, I’m also planning to follow up with Gerry Schlissel (an American-Israeli in the top picture smiling) to see if he’s noticed any long-term performance results with the Z5 on his Kangoo. I called today and he wasn’t in. *And stay tuned for more after Luft goes on the gas savings test.*

The Z5 looks to me like a transformative technology, and I look forward to being able to provide more information on it as it comes in. Of course you can always check out sites and gas-saving tips like on TreeHugger in the meantime, who offer 66 tips for saving gas.

UPDATE: The Z5 owners sent me new tests from France this week August 12, 2009. Click here Z5-French-test, and click here Z5F-French-diesel. (Results are shown before and after the Z5 installation. In French – links to PDF). 

::Z5 website

DISCLAIMER: Z5 bought advertising on GP after I’d written an article about the company. This article is in no way a paid endorsement, but to refute claims by people who haven’t tried it, and said the Z5 can’t work.


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36 Responses to “Putting the Z5 to the Emissions and Power Test”

Karin Kloosterman • July 10th, 2009 • 4:24 pm

Erik,

It’s quite naive to think that Better Place is going to change the world, considering that not a single person today actually drives one of their cars.

You can buy the Z5 online. If you live in Israel there is a local distributor here, and you can also buy it at some garages. If you don’t live in Israel, email the company (visit their website http://www.z55555.com) and ask them to be in touch with a local distributor. Furthermore, the Z5 works on hybrid cars and any combustion engine including power plants.

If you buy one, let us know how it works.

-Karin

Alon Diamant • July 12th, 2009 • 5:41 pm

This article is quite disappointing, really.

This sums up my problem:

“Could there be room for error? Possibly, but only if the mechanics at the garage are in collusion with the company to “fix” the results on the computer, something I highly doubt.”

I was waiting for an objective test in an independent, not pre-determined garage. Instead, once again – we see a test in a garage selected by the Z5 company.

This is not what reporters do. Shame, I’ve waited for this article for weeks now.

Alon

Shep • July 21st, 2009 • 11:39 pm

I purchased the Z5 from the official website and when I requested an address to mail it back unused they said:

“We are sorry to hear that you are not satisfied.
In order to see the results you need to drive 700-1000km
If you steel want to return the product you can send the full box kit by yourself (by DHL / FedEx + tracking number)
after we get the box back we’ll refund 122 USD (86 usd is for the shipping and insurance)”

Getting 59% of my money back isn’t exactly the guarantee I was looking for. Also, the guarantee is for 30 days which is a short amount time for shipping both ways and driving at least 700km inbetween.

I believe Z5 Global Group is doing a tremendous job of keeping negative feedback off the web. I am curious to see what will happen with this comment.

Karin Kloosterman • July 22nd, 2009 • 8:20 am

Shep, I think it’s fair that you try a product before you send it back. And I talked with the company who says it costs them $79 on average to ship the product around the world. I am sorry to hear you are not satisfied, but buying it and not trying isn’t the same as returning something after it doesn’t work.

Shep • July 22nd, 2009 • 3:21 pm

From the Z5 website:
“And if for any reason you are not 100% satisfied, we give you the security of a 30-day no questions asked money back guarantee.”

I understand what you are saying about trying the product first, but they are still not living up to their written promise.

Karin Kloosterman • July 22nd, 2009 • 4:58 pm

How about you try it for 700 km and then decide? They are pretty reasonable people. After I wrote a story about them in a Canadian newspaper, a reader complained that it didn’t work. I contacted the company and they put reader in touch with a local distributor who made sure that it was installed properly (it hadn’t been) and the customer was satisfied.

josh • July 26th, 2009 • 11:21 pm

if it “really” works why not do testing outside israel by independent and 900 % neutral institutes of universities .
if you are interested i can arrange testing in Germany or i have access to testinglabs of all french car- en busmanufacturers.
when one is interested in distribution why “oblige” but instisting to pay first US$ for 5 items for cars which are in use by 0,0001% of the population of a country .Do you don’t know or understand that in Germany 75% of all cars are Audi,Mercedes,Opel,BMW and not olf-fashioned Mazda’s like you show , in France it is Renault,Peugeot or Citroen and not a Datsun !!!
Very strange but I’m prepared to help you ;
Josh

Karin Kloosterman • July 27th, 2009 • 6:38 am

The company is working on testing in the US, as far as I know. There are tests on their website outside of Israel. I think the company needs to organize the data better, and get a well known scientist to test it in his lab.

Shep • July 27th, 2009 • 6:33 pm

Well, I’ve now sold my gas guzzler and will rely on my motorcycle for the summer. Anyone interested in purchasing an unused, in-the box Z5 for $160 (shipping included) for research purposes or personal use, don’t hesitate to contact me. mshepherd@gmail.com

johan • August 5th, 2009 • 5:04 pm

Hello,

I’ve tried it on my volvo – I gives no effect at all…
And now I wonder if I’ll get my money back as promissed? – It doesn’t look good…

J

hellokitty • August 14th, 2009 • 9:28 pm

Sounds like a load of bull, there are plenty of other devices on the market that claim to do the same thing. Just by changing the airflow of the intake they can increase efficiency and reduce emissions. Doesn’t anyone think that if that were the case, car manufacturers would install these things on all cars? I guess a couple mechanics are smarter than all the world’s auto engineers. There is a small problem with all these devices, most modern cars have air flow sensors that are located right before the intake manifold. The airflow is changed as soon as air it’s the sensor, so it really makes no difference what you do before the air gets there. The airflow sensor will most likely negate any effects the Z5 will have on the airflow. Besides it looks like the gizmo they’re trying to sell could be purchased and made from your local hardware store for about 5 bucks not $200. I just can’t believe people are so gullible that they’ll believe anything.

TomG • August 20th, 2009 • 1:59 am

I purchased the Z5 and its a total scam,I installed it in my 2006 Chrylser mini van and used my trip and milage calculator and I was getting 27 mpg on a specific trip doing exactly 63 mph and after installing the Z5 I got exactly the same 27 MPG. My guess is that the Israli news agency is in on the scam. I blame myself for wanting to believe the hype. Its totaly junk and they know it and that most people will not bother to return it for a partially refund, stay away from this scam.

stewart • September 18th, 2009 • 12:03 am

sorry, I dont accept the notion a device like this really results in such claims.even the photographs are inconclusive, engineers for decades working on emissions and combustion efficiency, even areonautical designers have never stumbled on this affect?
And look at it? It sorta just sits there like a what an orange or apple slicer for over 200 bucks?
let the guy show up in state of California with the most stringent emissions program in the nation and the ever eco minded Attorney General Jerry Brown will no doubt file on this crowd of huksters.
what a waste of my time reading this.

Omenka • October 13th, 2009 • 11:38 am

Hi Everyone,

I sent a post saying that i could not get any contact phone numbers and addresses for the Z5 on their website…. http://www.z55555.com

24 Hours Later…..

Still No Phone Numbers

Still no registered Address

No names!!

And yet i,m expected to part with my hard earned money!!!

Tell me, Would it be smart for me to wire money to a Company that has no contact person, no phone numbers and no registered address???

Juanpa • November 17th, 2009 • 8:01 am

Dear Karin:Now is about 4 months after Gal Luft started his trail in his 4weels car and I´m not able to find in this web his feelings and results about using the device in the performance & mpg of his car. In the other hand it seems that the former Z55555 propaganda is not longer appearing in this web site. That it means that he was not able to find any significant avantage using the device and that you – Karin- are not longer accepting their advertisement?

angeltorres • December 4th, 2009 • 2:58 pm

question to be answed soon what manufactures went to talk to z5 inventor. what resulted are they in play to buy him out or are they going to use the z5 in their vehicles please include contact number and name of manufaturer represenative manufacturer website mentioning z5 future or current usage

arkansascajun • December 12th, 2009 • 8:33 am

i too have been a lifelong sceptic.as a hobby i have tried most devices which do not work. i maintain exacting records on my vehicle, which is a single purpose vehicle, so i know what the results are.HOWEVER having said that there ARE ways to improve engine performance.to illustrate. one of my vehicles a 1992 has a 4.0 liter engine of 149HP that gave a lifetime 15.7 mpgmy newest 2009 has a 2.7 liter engine of 173HP giving 25.5 mpg with same driver over same route. HOW you ask? FORD ENGINEERING!soo i no longer discount entirely claims of devices because it CAN BE DONE!

mayor_pufnstuf • December 14th, 2009 • 3:21 pm

Exactly. The testing (which could hardly be described as precise) was performed at a garage selected by Z5, in Israel, the home turf of the inventors, with one of the co-inventors present. Hardly an independent evaluation.Until this product is evaluated by an objective, independent source, I wouldn't spend a dollar to purchase one. Send the product to Consumer Reports or any one of the reputable companies that perform consumer product testing services. Sorry, but sending a reporter who doesn't know the intake filter enclosure from the engine itself to evaluate a product for automobile engines, in a garage selected by the inventors, with results no more specific than “it looked like” it works, doesn't inspire much confidence.

jack • August 5th, 2010 • 12:41 pm

Installed The z5 in my 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid and saw an IMMEDIATE boost in power. I did a controlled test on the same stretch of highway (70 miles both ways) on a nice 75 degree clear spring day before and after the z5 with the cruise control set at 65 mph. Here’s what I saw:

Before z5:
RPM going up hill: 2900-3300
Trip computer MPG: 42.2mpg
Actual MPG: 43.1mpg (I divided the miles driven by the gallons I used before the pump stopped, I did not top off the tank)

After z5:
RPM going up hill: 2200-2600
Trip computer MPG: 51.1mpg
Actual MPG: 53.2mpg

I am currently SOLD on the z5. As you can see, I went from 43.1 to 53.2 mpg, and 10.1/43.1=0.234 that’s a 23% increase in fuel economy! WOW!!!

Haggis • August 6th, 2010 • 11:01 am

Yeah right. Load of bs here. SCAM, FRAUD, LYING! It won’t work. You won’t get free horsepower and better gas mileage from the Z5. It’s just like the vortex and tornado products. It doesn’t work, period. ’nuff said.

Ron • December 26th, 2010 • 9:47 pm

I’m concerned that well-produced scams like this one will illicit public outcry. This will give government (along with major corporations) the opportunity to pose as our saviors. They will offer the solution in the form of legislation designed to protect us from scams. This is how we will lose our free speech.

yannis • January 7th, 2011 • 8:50 am

I believe it’s using a recognised thermodynamic effect that will ionise the air also can be done with electrical devices cheaper but not as elegant i believe . I have a kit called ecopra and want to add the Z5 , currently i save 25-30% fuel and think that 40% should be doable .

You wanna know about all the technologies tested go to panacea bocaf …. Ash from Australia has tested a handful of devices and even combined them . If you don’t believe a non profit university teaching how to install these devices than noone can help you you suckered into believing what some PHD ( paid by Big Oil ) is telling you .
And PEOPLE KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 920 Paten’s supressed and bought by governments and energy corporation’s … how many do you know of ?
Buy now the Ecopra kit , HH2 kit or Z5 and better yet combine them and you can save up to 50% fuel for sure !!!

yannis • January 7th, 2011 • 8:51 am

Ron • December 26th, 2010 • 9:47 pm
I’m concerned that well-produced scams like this one will illicit public outcry. This will give government (along with major corporations) the opportunity to pose as our saviors. They will offer the solution in the form of legislation designed to protect us from scams. This is how we will lose our free speech.

GET REAL RON ….. Go to Panaceao Bocaf and read for yourself or to rexresearch and check on how many devices exist since 1920 and why they not available

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