https://kdvr.com/news/local/asking-an-expert-does-your-car-run-better-on-a-full-tank-of-gas/
No.
Less fuel is lighter, lighter is faster.
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I am so cheap I wanted to carry the least fuel weight possible.
But must keep it full.
Gasoline weighs 6.2 lbs/gallon.
Our full tank is 106.6 lbs.
Wanted to remove the never-used back seat, but wife will not allow.
That would indicate that the ECM would adjust the engine tune to the amount of gas that is in the tank, so as far as I know, the ECM does not change the VVT, timing and fuel curves etc etc etc settings for the amount of fuel in the vehicle…
Now in the drag racing world weight breaks things, meaning the lighter the vehicle the longer the same parts will last.. Now with that being said as a rule of thumb, for every 100 pounds you remove from your vehicle you can lower your ET by 0.10 (a tenth) of a second.. That rule of thumb is more for lighter lower HP cars…
That being said, running your vehicle below a 1/4 tank of gas can be harmful to the in-tank electric fuel pump as it uses the gas for cooling, get it hot enough-long enough-enough times and it will kill the fuel pump.. Proof? the 2008 high gas prices and limited supply of gas at the stations, we saw more fuel pump failures then any other time in my working career, even low to high mileage vehicles that NEVER had fuel pump failures were killing fuel pumps, and it was all traced back to people only putting a gallon or two of gas in at a time and even running out… Also warrantied out more replacement fuel pumps than any other time, and it didn’t matter if aftermarket or dealer…
Me pretty sure I won’t get bored enough to read that article
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Perhaps you should be asking, “Does your car run better on an empty tank of gas…” The vast majority of new internal combustion powered cars have their primary electric fuel pump located inside the gas tank to keep it cool and prevent overheating. You probably should not be driving around with your gas gauge hovering over Empty to save weight for “better gas mileage…”
It is recommended to keep your gas tank at least one-quarter full to prevent damage to the fuel pump, which can overheat or suck up sediment from the bottom of the tank. Refilling around the one-quarter mark helps ensure longevity for your vehicle’s fuel system.
In the winter, to reduce condensation in your gas tank, you should keep the tank at least half-full, especially during cold weather. A fuller tank reduces the air space inside, which limits the amount of moisture that can condense and freeze in your fuel lines.
Now, if I had a long commute or lived in a rural area with fewer gas stations along my route, I would probably be filling up when the gas gauge hits half a tank…
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It’s a minor point, but this affects the weight distribution and thus the handling. It’s my understanding that BMW aims for a 50/50 distribution when the tank is full or nearly full.