Accelerator feel different after filling up gasoline

[world25]

Why does the accelerator feel different after filling up gasoline?

When there is still 50% gasoline left in my tank, it feels very smooth when driving. It feels quite responsive when I press on the accelerator.

After filling up gasoline, it seems like I need to press on the accelerator a bit more to be responsive. There are other times after filling up the tank with gasoline, the car feels a bit stronger when I press on the accelerator gently.

[Marx0r]

Did you step in something mushy, e.g. dog feces?

[john widow]

Does it also feel different whether or not the car is already engine oil is already up to temp or not?
With my auto car when the car was cold and getting out my hill driveway, it wouldn't really roll back when the engine was cold and no brake/acceleration
When the engine was already warmed up it was easier to roll back.

[BDSL]

Its all in your mind.

[appleb]

Could be the weight of the gas?

[EPcjay]

I think cause its cold. Most gas stations store their gas @ 15 degrees

[Busybuyer888]

Did OP fill the gas tank with regular unleaded instead of Premium unleaded?

[rileywai]

must be your brain

[CanadianMoFo]

Could be the weight of the gas?


Yup, my thoughts exactly. I can tell the difference in the way my car behaves when I have a full tank and an empty tank. Same as when the car is full of passengers in every seat. It behaves differently.

CM

[Pete_Coach]

Its all in your mind.

+1 There is absolutly no reason for it to "feel" differently. Perhaps it needs a "tune up" and a fuel filter change (if it has one) to even out those different "feelings" between fill ups LOL.

[BluePhirePB]

It's the weight of the fuel in your car.

Assuming 1) water has the same density as gasoline (it clearly doesn't but let's assume it does for argument's sake) and 2) you have a 50 litre tank, that's over 100lbs you're putting into your car each time you fuel up. That is significant enough to feel a bit of difference in acceleration.

Edit: Gasoline's density is about 719.7 kg/m3.

Since 1 m3 = 1000 L,

719.7 kg/m3 x 1 m3/1000L = 719.7 kg/1000L

Assuming you have a 50L tank,

719.7 kg/1000L x 50L = 35.985 kg ~36 kg

Since 1 kg = 2.20462262 lbs,

Therefore a full tank of gas (assuming 50L capacity) is + 36 kg or 79.2 lbs additional weight to your car. Although not a lot compared to the actual weight of your car, it is significant enough to feel a difference.

[yao416]

What's the difference between 50L of Esso gas and 50L of Shell gas?

[BluePhirePB]

Minimal I'd assume. Negligible toward OP's description.

[carniver]

When you've filled your stomach full, can you run as fast as when you're empty?

[smacd]

For god's sake, don't let a child in your car! I have 2 and thay both weigh more than 36 kg. My car would really suffer if I took both of them at once. Also, make many individual trips to the grocery store instead of 1. I once got almost 50kg of groceries!:facepalm::facepalm:
What kind of car do you drive, a Trabant?

[BluePhirePB]

For god's sake, don't let a child in your car! I have 2 and thay both weigh more than 36 kg. My car would really suffer if I took both of them at once. Also, make many individual trips to the grocery store instead of 1. I once got almost 50kg of groceries!:facepalm::facepalm:
What kind of car do you drive, a Trabant?
Not sure if you're directing that at me or OP but if at me, I'm just running the math. I too notice a difference in acceleration on a full tank of gas (2010 Toyota Matrix AWD). No need for sarcasm. If my math is wrong then flame away. I deserve it.

[smacd]

Not sure if you're directing that at me or OP but if at me, I'm just running the math. I too notice a difference in acceleration on a full tank of gas (2010 Toyota Matrix AWD). No need for sarcasm. If my math is wrong then flame away. I deserve it.

Yes, my attempt at sarcasm. It's just not possible that a car would notice the weight difference of 1/2 a tank of gas (OP states he's going from 1/2 full so it's a difference of less than 40lbs.). Something other than the weight of the gas is in effect here.

[BluePhirePB]

Hmm you're right about half tank causing a difference in feel (or lack there of). I was referring to empty vs. full. I didn't catch that part about 1/2 tank.

[mucat]

For god's sake, don't let a child in your car! I have 2 and thay both weigh more than 36 kg. My car would really suffer if I took both of them at once. Also, make many individual trips to the grocery store instead of 1. I once got almost 50kg of groceries!:facepalm::facepalm:
What kind of car do you drive, a Trabant?

Wrong!!!! You need to put the weight in strategically, put them in the trunk to balance the car.

[Supercooled]

For god's sake, don't let a child in your car! I have 2 and thay both weigh more than 36 kg. My car would really suffer if I took both of them at once. Also, make many individual trips to the grocery store instead of 1. I once got almost 50kg of groceries!:facepalm::facepalm:
What kind of car do you drive, a Trabant?

a waht? ya a peppy car with no one can suddenly become so sluggish when passengers get on. wow.