Fuel tank management

[Max]

The Shift F command switches tanks, depending on aircraft. The tanks displays in white or yellow text...what's the difference?

Thanks.

[Kingpin]

When the tank selected is in white text, it means you are in auto fuel burn mode -- this is the default mode when you launch an aircraft.  In auto fuel burn, it automatically switches between tanks in a default order for that aircraft with that fuel load.

When the tank selected is in yellow text, you are in manual fuel burn.  Only that tank in yellow text will remain selected and you burn fuel from that tank only.  Important note: unlike auto fuel burn, when a selected tank runs dry in manual fuel burn, it will NOT automatically change to another tank and your engine will stop.  You need to remember to switch tanks or to auto mode just before you run it dry. 

Hitting Shift+F toggles between all the different fuel tanks in manual fuel burn mode (yellow) AND then back auto fuel burn (white).

Where this can come in handy is when you take a fuel hit and want to extend your range slightly by burning off that tank first (before it leaks dry).  For example, lets say you are flying a P-51D and take a right wing fuel tank hit -- you can hit Shift+F to select your right wing (RW in yellow) to burn fuel from that tank before it runs out.  Be sure to switch back to auto-fuel burn (white) just before it runs dry, or your engine will quit.

Hope this helps!

[Zimme83]

White means tank selection is in auto, Yellow is manual. If Yellow you have to switch manually or the engine dies when the selected tank is empty.


A pro tip: Always use the AUX tank on B-17 and Fuselage tank on Ki-67, those tanks are most likely the ones being hit by flak so you want them to be almost empty when entering enemy airspace. Fuselage tank on the -67 also contains ~80% of the fuel so a leak in it will hurt.

[Max]

Thanks gents. 

[Kingpin]

You're welcome!

<S>

[Mongoose]

  You have to be careful with this because you can run a tank out of fuel and your engine quits.  You can also unbalance your airplane.  Some people use this to change the balance to their advantage.  But if you do it wrong, you can end up with an airplane that's not behaving right. 

  If you just want to check your fuel, use the E6B function on the clipboard.  It tells you your total fuel remaining and how far you can fly at your current speed, among other things.  It also shows how you can set your throttle to get the most range.  You would be surprised how far you can stretch your range by using cruise settings.

[Max]

I use the 190A5 for ground attack and was told that burning front tank 1st is advantageous.

[BuckShot]

I heard the opposite is true in the 190.

I'll have to try both.

[LCADolby]

in a 190 drain the aft or aux first.
in a spit drain the top first

[Kanth]

 

in a 190 drain the aft or aux first.
in a spit drain the top first