March 18, 2011
Fuel burns faster when it’s towards empty?
Is that true that fuel burns off faster the closer it is to E? I have heard that. I just got my first car so I am wondering if I should fill up everytime it gets to only half-way full, and try to always keep my gas tank towards full. I’ll do that if it ends up saving me money. So I would actually lose money by keeping it closer to E, rather than constantly trying to keep it at a close to and/or full level? So is this true? Thank you
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Filed under Gas Conservation FAQ by on Mar 18th, 2011. Comment. 
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Comments on Fuel burns faster when it’s towards empty?
No it is not true. Makes no difference what the fuel level is in the tank the engine burns the same amount. This old wives tale comes from the fact that many vehicle gas tank configuration allow less capacity when getting close to empty therefore the gauge goes down faster giving you the false impression it is burning more. however consumpion remains the same.
No, it just seems that way, because you have less to spare.
No it’s true but if you think about it, it’s better to have a full tank because if you’re always on E you’ll be having to go out of your way so that you won’t run out and thus the extra driving will cost you more gas. However, if you are always low on gas it might incline you to drive more gas efficiently so i guess it just depends on the way you look at it….I hope this helps.
No, the fuel level has nothing to do with consumption.
On older cars (and perhaps some newer ones) the shape of the tank & method of measurement cause this phenomenon. For example, in a 10 gallon tank the first 1/2 tank would be approx 4 gallons while the last 1/2 tank would be closer to 6 gallons.
If you run a car empty, however, you will run into all kinds of crud and moisture that will make it burn more fuel. Running out of gas is no fun, keep it filled!
i looked it up and according to NBC’s Ask Asa column, waiting until the tank is near emtpy saves on fuel because you are hauling a lighter load.
i guess the theory is that by carrying around a full tank (which usually ranges between 12- 20 gallons) of gas all the time, you are actually burning more gas to carry a heavier load.
i don’t know if i agree though. it seems to me that the amount of gas in the tank has a small effect on the fuel efficiency.
NOPE Not true.. it just may seem like that.. fuel burns at a fairly steady constant rate…
this is the oppisite because….more weight in the car = less MPG less weight in the car = more MPG…so if you have less gas in the tank the car obiously weighs less…the diffance in the MPG would be sooooo very minimal but its the truth.
many sound theories so far, here is another reason to keep your tank full.. when there is alot of air space in your tank you leave room for condensation (aka water) you engine does not burn water and actually causes more consumption by increasing the amount of fuel to your motor to make up for the bad gas.
Better to keep it full, might have an emergency some day
it’s just an anomaly in some body’s fuel guage, due to being non linear, actually in theory an empty tank weighs less so it should give you better millage, but compared to full or over a great amount of time I don’t think the difference is worth the headache of driving around on an empty tank all the time, never mind it is not good for electric in tank fuel pumps, so the money you saved may be enough to pay the tax on a fuel pump replacement job.