Thread: better gas mileage when tank is full/almost full

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  1. #1 better gas mileage when tank is full/almost full 
    SE Level Member azmattaz06's Avatar
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    is there a reason for this? When i'm driving with like half or quarter tank it goes pretty quick but when it's almost full seems like i'm getting better gas mileage??? any idea?
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  2. #2 Re: better gas mileage when tank is full/almost full 
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    It's all in your head.


    That or the gas gauge reads a little off. Basically, when it says it has a half tank, it really means there's 40-45% of a tank. So, you go 190 miles on the first 50% of gas, and 190 miles on the second 50% of gas.. BUT, it looks like you go 220 miles, and 160 miles... if that made any sense.
    2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT : Stock and slow and SOLD.
    2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Special Edition
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  3. #3 Re: better gas mileage when tank is full/almost full 
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    car companies have been doing this for a long long time. The gauge moves very slowly at first. its said to give the impression the car gets better mileage then it really does. Its documented in a few places. Oddly enough my 92 pickup was FAR worse then my 06 GP. I'd go 100 miles without the gauge moving and then all of a sudden it'd start dropping like a rock.

    In reality if anything, your car gets better mileage with less fuel in the tank due to weight.
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  4. #4 Re: better gas mileage when tank is full/almost full 
    SE Level Member wrngway's Avatar
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    I don't know about the GP, but a lot of times it's due to the shape of the tank. The closer it is the being "V" shaped the more you'll notice the guage accelerating as it gets closer to empty. Technically you'll get better gas milage the less gas you have (i.e. less weight).
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  5. #5 Re: better gas mileage when tank is full/almost full 
    I live here. SlowNA06's Avatar
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    GM gauges read funny? Tell me it ain't so!
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  6. #6 Re: better gas mileage when tank is full/almost full 
    GT Level Member SliceTheRice's Avatar
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    Every car I've ever had acted as if it had a "V"-shaped tank.

    2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
    (3.4 MPS, DHP 1.0 tune, ZZP Plog & 3" DP, 2.5" cat-back exhaust, resonator delete, AL104 plugs, 180* T-stat, Falken Ziex 245/45/18 tires)
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