Hey everyone.

I've noticed for a while now that as the gas tank gets low (maybe around a quarter tank or less), I have to push the gas harder before I release the clutch to shift smoothly, as opposed to a full tank, when I don't have to give as much gas to get a response from the engine. I only notice because it's much smoother after I fill up the tank. In my head it makes sense, but this is pretty noticable, and I was wondering if anyone else out there saw it also to any extent.

Thanks in advance.

- Steve

 

no more crack for you

 

Same here. My Mustang never did this....

 

It also might be an issue that less weight causes you to drive differently. Like when the a/c is on, releasing the clutch and balancing the gas pedal amount is tricky sometimes. It might just be the weight of the gas in the tank, that affects the feeling of the car and the timing of the clutch/gas combo.. Instead of just a fuel issue.. If it really bothered you, have a 1/4 tank of gas, but put 100lbs worth of stuff in the back seat/trunk.. and see if the feeling is the same

 

i get this problem, i even called scion, once you get close to E, the engine even chokes out, especially when turning. i think the baffles in the tanks are crap that's why it happens

 

I have an 06 auto, and mine does this too.. you have to really know your car to feel it tho.. but when you have less gas the power drops alot. Now i think its good that it chokes out when your on empty, that means "get gas or walk soon" -- but as for the change being from the weight... think about it.. less weight would be more power.. not less.. - but there is a deffinate difference.. a full tank is when i go the fastest!

 

Mine always feels best a half-a-tank...

It's like the air/fuel mixture is just right and the weight is just right so the car becomes nimble as anything.

I have been noticing that when it gets down to a quarter tank the gas pedal becomes less responsive. Never bothered me though, for some reason it made sense in my head.

 

hahaha.. i thought i was the only one getting that problem. i told my dad and he was like 'its all in your head.. stop messing around'

hahaha..

 

Mines also an 06 auto and i get the same reaction when the tank is full. on a side note does anyone notice tha car has a harder time starting when it nears empty?

 

yeah, i noticed it. the way i think of it is that if my full is almost empty and i keep sucking up my water with a straw, it isn't a constant stream of water as opposed to if my cup was full.

 

I've got an 05 manual and mine feels the same. I'm not sure exactly where it happens, but there is a definite difference between full and almost empty.

 

yeah, i noticed this too today.

i also noticed that my car doesn't feel as quick as it was last week. the torque curve feels all messed up too, its a manual btw.

i read something about the car adapting to how you drive, would unplugging the battery for a while reset this, or am i all wrong?

 

i suggest just keeping your tank over half full. that makes sense to me.

 

Maybe the fuel pressure to the engine is getting low when the fuel level in the tank is low. This could be caused by a weak fuel pump, faulty fuel pressure regulator, dirty fuel filter, etc. When the fuel tank is low the pump has to work harder because of gravity. It has to raise the fuel higher.

 

Keep in mind with it getting warmer outside our magic turbos are going away >.<

 

i was afraid of that.

 

The original poster may possibly have not been on crack. I just read somewhere else that the ECU may be deciding from time to time that you need better gas milage, so it throttles you back to 80% max power. Maybe when the gas level gets below a certain limit, the ECU throttles you back to try to get you to the next gas station.

Maybe its a *bad* idea to go to the strip with an almost empty tank. Maybe best power/times are generated with a FULL tank?

Weird huh?

Anybody sick of the ECU and DBW yet?

 

sorry kinda off topic but since we're talkin bout the issue of gas, whats the avg cost you're paying for a full tank of gas?? sure, prices are different.... but im just curious..

 

ECU cuts off WIT when the reserve tank light is on, to conserve gas.

 

How did you come by that info?