Full or empty tank for better driving?

[ukaskew]

The answer seems obvious to this one, is it better (in performance terms) to have a full load of fuel, half, or virtually empty?

I ask because I've had mine down to a minimum a few times lately and especially at high speeds the car (172 Cup) feels less assured than it does with a load of fuel on board. I don't know what differences there are in weight terms between empty and full but I certainly notice quite a difference.

Hard to explain but the car just feels better with at least half a tank sloshing around inside it, and I have always thought that if anything it should be the other way round.

 

[badinvincible]

Full tank means that the distribution of weight is more even from front to back hence why it feels less "assured" with an empty tank.

 

[Munson]

Performance will be better the least fuel you are carrying, obviously. Never noticed any stablity problems with a light fuel load - the opposite rings true in fact for me. The 172Cup is already way down on weight though so who knows

 

[badinvincible]

I never put in a full tank - most I'll run is a half tank when you go from an empty tank to a full tank - it feels a wee bit more planted but a wee bit more sluggish too in my experience.

 

[night.icon]

u wont get far on a empty tank

 

[badinvincible]

I live at the top of a big hill...

The word I missed out was of course - "almost."

 

[Gary G]

mine feels most rapid with little fuel and no passengers.....full tank and someone beside me makes the car feel slower.

 

[Liam]

to be honest I always think it feels better after I have just filled it to the top. May well be just psychological.

 

[Nicksie]

mine goes better with a full tank as well, but it could be down to the fact that i don't fill it up very often

 

[Leeshez]

Mine is also better on a full tank. It seems a bit sluggish when nearly empty

 

[Munson]

LOL how can it feel sluggish when carrying 20Kg less fuel??

 

[badinvincible]

Depends on his interpretation of "better" I suppose....

 

[Gary G]

the car will feel increasingly nimble/agile and more rapid with less fuel...its fact.

 

[kate_clio]

mine runs better when half full or less just doesnt have any power wen full. (not that it has any anyway its a 1.2)

 

[clarkiev6]

full tank...better handling
empty.....more power

 

[MarkCup]

As close to bone dry as I can manage...keeps the back agile.

 

[Rich]

Never filled mine up so cant comment! :clown:

Even with half a tank it does not feel as good as with a quarter. Much prefer it running light.

 

[edde]

I've only a few time let my tank run empty and I could tell the difference (with just 65hp you can tell almost any change but I pefere a full tank to keep the back a bit more stable.

 

[Ads_172]

I find it quicker with less obviously, but I prefer driving with a full tank... everything just feels better.

 

[edgerfs]

Prefer to keep mine less then half way unless I'm about to undertake a long journey.

 

[Ambo]

Full tank=less stops to fill up=faster!!

 

[ukaskew]

full tank...better handling
empty.....more power

That nails it on the head for me, depends what you prefer I suppose but I tend to like it at least half full.

 

[Ally]

Full tank=less stops to fill up=faster!!

I always fill it to the top and refill when I'm approaching the orange light - can't be arsed spending more time in filling stations if I can help it!

Can't say I notice much difference in the handling, but deffo "feels" a bit quicker when the fuel's almost gone.

 

[Ali]

Petrol doesn't like to be swooshed around...I can't explain it technically, but it's goes all foamy and then you end up havin problems with performance. We had this problem with the caterham so we filled the tank with foam.