Bangalore: He is known as "Auto Surgeon" Kannan and is a consultant to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. Helping owners of all types of vehicles get better fuel efficiency while reducing emissions is his goal.

"Many car owners are switching over to LPG for running their vehicle without following basic safety norms," he says.

All gas conversions have to follow Transport Department laws with a separate tank for storing the gas.

Many owners just conceal the cylinders in their car "dickey" with a cloth, he says.

For carrying the gas to the engine, only ISI-marked tubes/pipes should be used as others may melt due to high engine temperature and leak with dangerous consequences, says Mr. Kannan. The vehicles need to be fit enough for gas conversion.

Some garages which fit conversion kits on cars block free air flow by fitting a small aluminium adapter to the carburettor cap or block the air filter altogether.

This can damage the engine, he says."It is better for the engine to have a small rubber bush at the entry to the air filter. It used to come with the older Fiats and Ambassadors and can be used safely," Mr. Kannan says.

When switching over from gas to petrol, this bush needs to be removed to get power and fuel economy. The gas pipes themselves need to be fixed properly to avoid them from cracking.

"The important thing to remember to get good mileage is to lock the distributor at the right angle so that you get the best RPM. This can be measured with a good tachometer which you can buy or your garage may have one which can be used," says Mr. Kannan.

The tachometer has to suit the engine. Ideally, every garage should offer a free tachometer test, he feels.

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