Does driving on a near-empty gas tank give you better mpg??

[Anonymous]

So if your gas tank is less than half full does that improve your fuel effeciency versus a full tank? I would imagine it does since your not as heavy with less fuel. Of course that is all things being equal and no additional weight or different driving conditions. Just curious.

Topic

[montefrazer]

May help some, but doubt it would amount to much. Not sure what a gallon of gas weighs, but even at 3 lbs a gallon it would only be 30 lbs for 10 gallons. If you have a truck with dual tanks, it might help to keep one empty when it’s not needed.

[GTO Man]

Quote:

May help some, but doubt it would amount to much. Not sure what a gallon of gas weighs, but even at 3 lbs a gallon it would only be 30 lbs for 10 gallons. If you have a truck with dual tanks, it might help to keep one empty when it’s not needed.

Agreed, would not make much difference.

[Anonymous]

A gallon of water and Milk each weigh 10 lbs…

[montefrazer]

Ok, you made me look it up. http://www.santacruzpl.org/readyref/files/g-l/gasoline.shtml Even an extra 65lbs won’t make much difference in an average car.

[Anonymous]

Keeping the tank at less than half is a TERRIBLE idea.

Air temperature changes from night to day. If the tank isn’t full
condensation will form in the tank. The problem is even worse
with alcohol in the gas, if they’re using that today.

Another reason to keep it full is for emergencies. If you MUST
travel for an emergency you will have a full tank of gas. Also, if you
have a generator you can drain gas from the car tank to refill
the generator.

Here’s another important reason to keep it full…

BOOM BOOM….. Fumes explode a lot faster than a full tank of gas.

[Amigo2k]

great way to burn up a fuel pump or plug up the screen or fuel filter.

[Author]

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