The rising cost of fuel, energy and raw materials is pushing businesses to search for easy and alternative ways that they can reduce their costs. Fuel can be a large expenditure for many businesses, especially those with a fleet of vehicles. In this article we look at fuel economy, filling up your tank and how to save money by driving to conserve fuel.
Filling up your tank
Does filling up your tank each time you visit the petrol station improve fuel economy? This may sound like a question with an obvious answer but there are a few things to take into consideration. We delve into the detail to give you the answer and advice to pass onto your drivers.
Fewer visits to the petrol station
Filling up your tank to the top each time you visit a petrol station means fewer visits to the forecourt, this essentially results in less miles driven. Your business could save money if your drivers fill up each time as they will be making fewer trips and therefore driving less miles. However, this depends on how far away the petrol station is to your driver’s regular route or business location, if it is on the way then there will be no extra miles driven.
Less chance for tank condensation
Tank condensation occurs when there is a temperature difference between the fuel in the tank and the air outside. This causes condensation to form which can make its way into the fuel pipes. Condensation can cause performance issues and result in a reduction in fuel efficiency. This is typically only an issue in older vehicles as newer vehicles have better, fully sealed fuel tanks. However, keeping drivers tanks full reduces the space for condensation to form, so you are less likely to have issues with water in the fuel tank.
The weight of a full tank
A full tank of fuel weighs more, driving round with additional weight in a car or van will reduce fuel economy. However, the fuel in the tank only weighs a very small percentage of the overall car or van weight, an average of around 5%. Filling up a tank halfway compared to a full tank of fuel only reduces the weight by 2.5%. At this level it is likely to make very little difference on the vehicle fuel economy.
The result
We suggest if your drivers are regularly driving to advise them to fill the tank all the way to the top when they visit a petrol station. They will save time and won’t need to make as many trips. The difference in weight that the fuel makes on the vehicle is very minor, therefore it is better to save time and mileage by filling up each time.
If you haven’t downloaded our app already it’s a great tool for your drivers to find their nearest fuelGenie eligible petrol station. They can also compare the price between fuelGenie eligible stations and there are some great benefits for fuel card managers too. Get the fuelGenie app or find out more about the benefits.
Tips to improve fuel economy.
We have some tips to help your drivers improve their fuel economy and stretch their petrol or diesel that extra mile or two.
- Check tyre pressure regularly, under inflated tyres can have a huge impact on fuel economy by up to 2.5%
- Remove excess weight – take out any unnecessary tools, equipment, passengers, or stock that is not required for the journey
- Reduce aircon, heated windscreens and any other electrical usage as much as possible
- Gentle acceleration, braking and changing gear early. Avoid sudden acceleration and sudden braking
- Avoid idling and use vehicle stop/start technology where possible. If waiting for an extended period of time, consider turning off the engine
- Anticipate the road conditions and keep moving where possible. Avoiding coming to a complete stop will help save fuel
- Regularly service vehicles and keep up with any maintenance such as topping up oil, water coolant and other fluids
Drivers should be advised and trained on the best way to operate their vehicles in order to conserve fuel. You can easily view your driver fuel expenditure using your fuelGenie online account. Having full visibility of the fuel purchased and how many miles drivers are doing will give you a clearer picture of any areas where fuel economy could be improved.
And remember by using fuelGenie you are already directing drivers to fill up with fuel that is on average 3p per litre* cheaper than other petrol stations. Encourage drivers where possible to use their fuelGenie fuel card.
FAQs
However, the fuel in the tank only weighs a very small percentage of the overall car or van weight, an average of around 5%. Filling up a tank halfway compared to a full tank of fuel only reduces the weight by 2.5%. At this level it is likely to make very little difference on the vehicle fuel economy.
Do you get better gas mileage if you fill your tank all the way up? ›
However, what's more likely is that your car's fuel economy is best when there's less air caught in your fuel tank, i.e. when the gas tank is full. Having a tank full of gas means the fuel evaporates at a slower rate due to the lack of air, giving you more miles per gallon.
Is it more cost effective to fill up your gas tank? ›
You should always fill your gas tank full rather than adding $10 - $20 at a time. The answer is True! You should definitely fill your tank when you stop to fuel up at the gas station. Looking for more ways to save on your car's fuel consumption?
Is it more fuel efficient to fill your tank? ›
Ultimately, the difference you save in terms of the weight of the tank is minuscule compared to the amount of time you will save and the mileage of filling up each time.
Is it better to keep your gas tank full or half full? ›
Sure, just barely filling up your tank may save you money in the short run. But let's think through the long run together. >> By not maintaining a full tank, you're opening up A LOT of possibility for mechanical issues, (i.e., engine failure, engine overheating, corrosion, frozen fuel lines).
What wastes the most gas in a car? ›
Idle is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to fuel consumption. Idling is one of the main reasons the automatic Stop/Start technology was invented.
Is it better to get gas in the morning or afternoon? ›
As with all matter, gasoline expands when it's warmed and becomes denser when it's cool. Therefore, if you purchase gasoline in the afternoon or evening after the sun has warmed the ground, you'll get less gas in your gallon than if you had refueled that morning, when the ground temperature was still low.
How much fuel should you keep in your car at all times? ›
AAA recommends always keeping at least a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle to reduce your potential for costly tows, repairs or safety incidents. However, if you live in regions that are prone to extreme weather, half a tank is recommended.
Does a car use less gas when the tank is full? ›
Keeping your tank at a moderate level will also help you save money by avoiding evaporation loss and unnecessary weight. So does a car use less gas when the tank is full? The answer is no. Having a full tank of gas doesn't improve your fuel efficiency or make your car run better.
Is it better to store a car with a full or empty tank? ›
Choose a clean, dry garage or storage facility, as damp air can cause rusting. Ideally, store your car in a climate-controlled facility. Fill the gas tank completely full. An empty or low gas tank will lead to internal rust as condensation and moisture builds within the tank.
Don't wait till the Tank is Empty
As a result, the fuel filter becomes clogged, which eventually causes failure of the fuel pump assembly. It is recommended that you refill the tank once it is a quarter full. That allows you to leverage gas mileage since the vehicle is lighter with a partially filled tank.
Do you get better gas mileage with premium gas? ›
No, any fuel efficiency gained using premium fuel would stem from engine performance, not the gas itself. Buying premium gas won't have you visiting a gas station any less frequently, especially with a standard engine not designed to take advantage of premium gas.
Why does gas last longer on a full tank? ›
Less chance for tank condensation
This causes condensation to form which can make its way into the fuel pipes. Condensation can cause performance issues and result in a reduction in fuel efficiency. This is typically only an issue in older vehicles as newer vehicles have better, fully sealed fuel tanks.
Is it bad to never let your gas tank get below half? ›
Keeping your fuel tank at least at the 1/4 full mark can help protect both your fuel pump and fuel filter. The fuel from the tank is pumped from the fuel pump inside the tank to the engine. In the line between the fuel tank and the engine, a fuel filter is typically present to help protect the fuel system.
Should you always top off your gas tank? ›
In the end, no matter which way you slice it, topping off your gas tank is a bad idea for all the following reasons: Spilled gasoline and escaped vapors are environmentally harmful. Overfilling saturates your vehicle's vapor recovery system which can lead to permanent damage and avoidable repairs.
What happens if you fill your gas tank all the way? ›
It can interfere with the vehicle's fuel injection system, resulting in decreased power and acceleration. Overfilling your gas tank can have serious consequences, both for the environment and for your safety. Not only can it cause environmental damage, but it can also lead to a potential fire or explosion.
Is it better to fill up a gas tank when it reaches half of almost empty? ›
The less fuel in your tank, the greater the risk of running out completely in a bad spot. While different experts have different suggestions, it's typically agreed that drivers should refuel their vehicle when they have anywhere between a quarter of a tank or half of a tank left for maximum efficiency.
Do cars run better with a full tank of gas? ›
Keeping fuel tank full insures faster fuel pressure, quicker engine starts, cool running fuel pump and longer fuel pump life. Keep plenty of fuel in the tank is a great prevention from running out or when supplies run low.
Does your car use less gas when the tank is full? ›
Finding the Optimal Fuel Level
Keeping your tank at a moderate level will also help you save money by avoiding evaporation loss and unnecessary weight. So does a car use less gas when the tank is full? The answer is no. Having a full tank of gas doesn't improve your fuel efficiency or make your car run better.
