Gas Siphon Nightmares? Conquering Project Zomboid's Fuel Crisis

Quick-Start Guide: Siphoning Gas (Step-by-Step)

Most of us have been there – you find a perfectly intact car, but it's bone-dry on fuel. Here's how to siphon gasoline in Project Zomboid and get that car running, in five easy steps:

Find or Equip an Empty Gas Can: Make sure you have an Empty Gas Can in your inventory. You can't siphon fuel without a container to put it in. (No gas can yet? Check garages, garden sheds, or the trunks of vehicles for one.) If you're on Build 42, also keep a Rubber Hose in your inventory – it's now required to transfer fuel from vehicles.
Approach a Vehicle (or Gas Pump): Walk up to the car that has (or you suspect has) gasoline. Stand by the car's gas cap (generally the rear side of the vehicle). If targeting a gas pump (at a gas station), stand next to the pump.
Open the Vehicle Interaction Menu: Press the "V" key to bring up the vehicle radial menu while near the car (or pump). This menu shows various actions (like entering the car, vehicle mechanics, etc.).
Select "Siphon Gasoline": In the radial menu, look for the gas pump icon with a plus (➕) sign or the text "Siphon Gas"/"Siphon Gasoline." Use the mouse to select it. If you don't see "Siphon Gasoline," it means one of a few things: the vehicle's tank is empty, you're too far from the tank, or you don't have an empty container (or hose in B42).
Wait for the Transfer: Your character will automatically walk to the correct spot (if not exactly there) and begin siphoning. It takes a short while to transfer fuel. Watch the progress bar and keep an eye out for zombies while you wait! Once done, check your Gas Can – it should now have some amount of gasoline.

Figure 1: Stand at the car's gas filler and press V – here we see the "Siphon Gasoline" command in the vehicle radial menu. Select it to start siphoning.

Pro Tip:

You can also siphon from gas station pumps into a gas can. Just right-click a pump and choose "Take Fuel" (Fill Gas Can) if you have an empty gas can equipped, or use the radial menu (V) near a pump just like with cars.

Fuel 101: Why Siphoning Gasoline is Essential

In Project Zomboid, fuel is life. Without gas, cars don't run and generators can't keep your base lights on. Here's why every survivor quickly becomes obsessed with gasoline:

Most Cars Spawn Empty

Don't be shocked if the first dozen cars you check have zero gas. By design, many vehicles in Knox County spawn with partially filled or empty tanks. In fact, it's very common to find a "perfect" car but no fuel in the tank. Siphoning gas from other sources (other cars or pumps) is often the only way to get that car moving. Once you have fuel, you'll also need to know how to hotwire vehicles if you don't have keys.

Gas Cans Are Rare Early On

You'll need a Gas Can to hold any fuel you siphon, but finding one can be a challenge on day one. They're uncommon loot – typical spots include vehicle trunks, tool sheds, garages, gas station back rooms, or warehouses. Until you find a gas can, you literally cannot transport fuel (except in a vehicle's own tank). This makes obtaining a gas can a top early-game priority if you plan on driving. Check our first day survival guide for prioritizing essential items.

Why Not Just Drive to a Gas Station?

If you already have a working car with a bit of fuel, great – you can drive to a gas station and fill up (we'll cover how below). But if all your cars are empty, you'll be on foot initially. That means your first gas likely has to come from siphoning a car's tank or finding a filled gas can spawn. It's a scavenging puzzle: find a gas can -> siphon from car A -> pour into car B. Mastering this dance is key to motorized survival.

Generators and Power Outages

Eventually (usually after 1-2 in-game months by default), the power shuts off in Project Zomboid. When that happens, gas station pumps stop working – you won't be able to get fuel out of a pump without a generator. Siphoning gas (and stockpiling fuel reserves) becomes crucial before and after this point. If you plan to use a generator for electricity at your safehouse, you'll need lots of fuel, and the only way to get gas after the outage is to hook up a generator at a station or siphon cars. In short: a survivor who knows how to siphon and store gasoline is far better equipped for the mid-to-late game.

In summary, learning how to siphon gas efficiently gives you mobility (cars) and energy (generators) – two huge advantages in the apocalypse.

Siphoning Gasoline in Build 41 (The Basics)

If you're playing Build 41 (or just need a refresher on the classic method), siphoning gas is straightforward once you have the right tools. Here we'll cover standard siphoning and refueling in the pre-B42 world, which also applies to Build 42 except where noted.

Siphon from Cars: Step-by-Step refresher

By now you've seen the quick steps in our Quick-Start Guide. Let's break down a bit more detail and tips for siphoning gas from vehicles:

Have an Empty Gas Can in Inventory: This is non-negotiable. You must have an empty gas can (not a full one) on your person to get the "Siphon Gas" option. If your only gas can has some fuel in it already, you won't be able to siphon more until it's emptied or you get another container.
Approach the Vehicle's Gas Tank: Walk to the side or rear of the car where the gas cap would be in real life (it varies by vehicle model). In Build 41, you might need to hover the mouse and right-click exactly on the gas tank area of the sprite. This can be finicky – which is why the V menu is your friend.
Use the Radial Menu (or Right-Click): Press V to open the radial menu. If you prefer the context menu, right-click on the car (near the fuel door). You should see "Siphon Gas" in the menu list when standing close, as long as the conditions are met.
Character Siphons the Fuel: Your survivor will play an animation of siphoning (kneeling by the car). It takes a few in-game minutes. The gas can in your inventory will gradually fill, and the car's tank will correspondingly lose fuel.
Success Check: After siphoning, check your inventory: the Gas Can should now say "Gas Can (Full)" or show some fuel quantity. You can also verify by opening the vehicle's Vehicle Mechanics (hood) menu or clicking on the car's info – its fuel gauge will have dropped.

Important:

The "Siphon Gas" option will NOT appear if the car's tank is completely empty. Project Zomboid doesn't bother showing the command if there's zero to siphon. So if you don't see the option and you're sure you have a gas can (and in B42, a hose), the vehicle likely has no fuel. Try another car. Many cars don't have any gas by default, especially in survival mode.

Troubleshooting Tip:

If nothing happens when you try to siphon, double-check that your gas can is truly empty. You cannot siphon into a container that already has gasoline in it – even a small amount. Empty it first (by pouring into something else) or find an unused gas can.

Refueling Vehicles from a Gas Can or Pump

So you've siphoned some gas... now what? Most likely, you want to put that fuel into another vehicle you actually plan to drive, or store it for generator use. Here's how to refuel a car in Build 41:

Refuel from Gas Can

Make sure you have a Gas Can with gas in your inventory (the UI will show "Gas Can (Full)" or a partially filled icon). Stand next to your target vehicle's tank and either right-click the car or use the V menu. Choose "Add Gasoline" to refuel the vehicle. Your character will pour the gas from the can into the car's tank. It only takes a few seconds. If one can isn't enough to fill the tank (likely, since cars have much larger tanks than a gas can's 8 units), you can repeat with more gas cans.

Direct Pump Refueling

If you're lucky enough to get a car running and find a gas station before the power is out, you don't need to siphon at all – you can use the pumps. Drive the car up next to a pump (either side, but some pumps only work from certain directions). Get out of the car, press V, and look for "Refuel from Gas Pump". Alternatively, right-click the car and select "Refuel from gas pump." The character will connect the pump and start refueling the vehicle's tank directly. This is the fastest way to refuel a vehicle.

Refueling a car at a gas station. Pull up next to a pump, press V, and choose 'Refuel from Gas Pump.' Keep an eye out – the noise can attract nearby zombies!

Figure 2: Refueling a car at a gas station. Pull up next to a pump, press V, and choose "Refuel from Gas Pump." Keep an eye out – the noise can attract nearby zombies!

Filling Gas Cans at a Pump

You can also fill gas cans directly from a pump (to stockpile fuel or to later pour into generators). Stand next to the pump with an empty gas can, right-click the gas pump, and select "Take Fuel" -> "Fill Gas Can" (or in radial menu, "Take Fuel" with a gas can icon). Each pump can fill up gas cans infinitely in Build 41 (see the next section for Build 42 changes). This is a great way to collect multiple cans of gas – fill them all while the power is on!

Capacity Notes:

A standard Gas Can holds 8 units of fuel. Vehicle tank sizes vary (compact cars ~20 units, trucks 35+ units, etc.). Generators hold 100 units max (and consume fuel over time when running). So one gas can won't fill most cars completely, and it will only fill 8% of a generator's capacity – expect to need many cans of gasoline to keep a generator running long-term.

What's New in Build 42: Siphoning Fuel in a Changed World

Project Zomboid's Build 42 (B42) update made the game more realistic – and that means fuel is harder to come by. If you've updated to B42, don't assume things work like they used to! Here are the critical differences and how to handle them:

Siphoning Now Requires a Rubber Hose (Build 42)

In Build 41, anyone with a gas can could siphon fuel out of a car. Build 42 changed this for realism: you must have a Rubber Hose item in your inventory to siphon gas from vehicles. The game will not even show the "Siphon Gas" option unless you have a hose on you (in addition to an empty gas can).

This means early-game priorities have shifted – you'll want to find a Rubber Hose pretty quickly if you plan on getting gas from cars. Luckily, hoses aren't too rare: you can find them in places like garages, shed toolboxes, auto mechanic shops, gas station tool closets, or industrial storage areas. They're a fairly small item (weight 0.1) often colored green in the inventory icon. Pick one up as soon as you see it.

The good news: You do not need a hose to fuel up at gas pumps or to pour gas into things – the hose is only for siphoning out of vehicles. For example, taking fuel from a gas pump with a gas can, or refueling a car from a can, works without a hose (same as before).

Hose Storage:

A rubber hose is light and fits in any container (you can even stick it in a fanny pack). There's really no downside to carrying one – consider it part of your standard "mechanic kit" along with a wrench and screwdriver if you're out looting.

Finite Fuel at Gas Stations (No More Unlimited Gas)

Perhaps the biggest change in Build 42 is that gas stations are no longer unlimited sources of fuel by default. In Build 41, each pump had essentially 10,000+ units of gas (effectively infinite for gameplay purposes). Build 42 introduces realistic finite fuel: gas pumps have a set amount of fuel in them, and once it's gone, it's gone.

Not only that, but some gas stations may start the game partially full or even empty depending on sandbox settings. By default, IWBUMS B42 seems to have a chance that a pump can be empty or have low fuel from the start. This simulates arriving at a picked-over station or one that was drained during the panic.

What does this mean for you as a player?

You can no longer rely on a single gas station to fuel you forever. In B41, one station could serve all your needs as long as you had power (generator). In B42, you might find Station A is dry after filling a few cans, forcing you to travel farther to find Station B for more gas.
Long road trips now require planning. If you're driving to the other side of the map, you can't assume every gas station en route will have fuel. Carry extra gas cans (filled ones) in your trunk, just in case the next town's station is tapped out.
Managing generators got tougher. If you were used to powering your base indefinitely by periodically refilling a few cans at a nearby station, you might be in for a surprise when that station runs dry. You'll need to secure alternate fuel sources or reduce your generator usage.

On the flip side, the devs gave us more sandbox control over this feature. In the sandbox settings, you can adjust the "initial fuel station amounts" and toggle "infinite fuel" on or off. So if you preferred the old behavior, you could create a custom sandbox where gas stations still never run out.

Strategy Adjustments for B42:

In early game, it's worth checking multiple gas stations sooner rather than later. For example, if West Point's gas station is empty, try Dixie or Muldraugh's station. Make a mental (or physical) note of which stations you've drawn fuel from. It may be wise to spread out your fuel collection—don't drain one station completely if you can help it.

Version Comparison: Build 41 vs Build 42 Fuel Mechanics

For quick reference, here's a summary of how siphoning and fuel access differ between B41 and B42:

Mechanic	Build 41 (stable)	Build 42 (latest)
Siphoning Tools	Empty Gas Can only. (Hose item existed but not required.)	Empty Gas Can + Rubber Hose required for vehicles.
Using Bottles for Fuel	Allowed (after patch 41.73, bottles/jugs can hold gas).	Allowed (bottles still work as small gas containers).
Gas Station Fuel Supply	Effectively infinite (very high capacity) until power outage cuts functionality.	Finite fuel per station; pumps can run dry. Possible to find some stations empty on start.
Generator to Pump Fuel	Required after power outage; one generator can refuel all pumps at a station (since fuel was unlimited).	Required after outage; but limited returns – once the station's fuel is gone, generator won't help until you find another station.
Vehicle Gas Tank Leaks	Present – old and damaged tanks can leak gas over time.	Present – unchanged, still a factor (check condition of tanks).

In both versions, the actual act of refueling vehicles or generators from cans is the same – those mechanics didn't change, just the availability of fuel.

Adjust Your Playstyle: Fuel is a Priority

Build 42's changes mean you should place an even higher priority on securing fuel early and often:

Loot Garages and Sheds Thoroughly: These spots can yield gas cans (sometimes even with a bit of gas in them) and now hoses. Finding a gas can with some fuel in a shed is like Christmas morning – it can jumpstart your whole operation.
Carry a Siphon Kit in Your Car: Whenever you do get a vehicle running, always have at least 1 empty gas can and 1 hose in that car's trunk or glove box. That way if you come across a vehicle on the road with fuel, you can immediately siphon it.
Use Trailers or Extra Tanks: If you're lucky to find a fuel truck, those can act as mobile fuel reserves. In vanilla, the best you have is loading a car trunk with gas cans.
Watch for Fuel Consumption: It's worth noting different vehicles consume fuel at different rates. A V8 sports car or heavy truck will guzzle gas much faster than a small sedan.

Keeping the Gas Flowing After Power Outage (Generators)

Eventually the power grid fails – and if you haven't secured a generator and a fuel stockpile by then, life gets much harder. Here's how to use generators to continue getting fuel from stations in Build 41/42:

Find a Generator and the How-To Manual: Generators can spawn in storage units, warehouses, sheds, or garages. They're heavy (40 weight) so you'll likely need a vehicle to transport one. Also, locate the "How to Use Generators" magazine (sometimes found in book stores or garages). You must read that magazine before you can connect a generator safely. Check our generator spawn locations guide for the best places to find them.
Set Up at a Gas Station: Haul your generator to a gas station when the power is out (or about to go out). Place the generator on the ground within about 20 tiles of the pumps (basically, somewhere in the station parking lot close to the building or pumps).
Fill the Generator with Fuel: Use a gas can to add fuel to the generator. You might siphon some car gas or have some cans saved for this. A generator's tank can take a lot, but even a quarter tank will be enough to power pumps for a while. Right-click generator -> "Add Fuel" to pour in gas.
Connect and Turn On: Right-click the generator and choose "Connect Generator" (after you've read the manual). Then right-click -> "Turn On". Be careful: generators make noise and attract zombies when running. Now the gas pumps should have power – you've effectively restored electricity to the station.
Pump Your Gas: With the generator running, use the gas pump as you normally would (V menu or right-click pumps to take fuel). Fill everything you can while that generator is humming! This is your lifeline to the station's remaining fuel stores.

After the power outage, place a generator near the pumps and turn it on to restore functionality. Don't forget to refuel the generator itself and turn it off when finished to conserve gas.

Figure 3: After the power outage, place a generator near the pumps and turn it on to restore functionality. Don't forget to refuel the generator itself and turn it off when finished to conserve gas.

Noise Management:

When you start that generator at the gas station, clear zombies first. The sound will draw any nearby Zeds to the area. You might need to defend the station while you refuel. A good strategy is to use one character action to start pumping gas and immediately go into guard mode, watching for incoming zombies while the gas flows.

Using a generator this way in Build 42 is often a one-time gambit – you'll get whatever fuel was left in the tanks and then that station is done. In Build 41, you could revisit the same station repeatedly as long as you had generator fuel. So adapt accordingly: take as much as you can in one go.

FAQ & Troubleshooting (Siphoning Gas)

Having trouble siphoning fuel? Here are quick answers to common questions players have:

"I have a gas can and I'm next to a car, but I don't see 'Siphon Gas' – what gives?"

Double-check two things: (1) Is your gas can empty? You cannot siphon into a container that already has any gasoline. If it's not empty, pour it into something else first. (2) Does the car actually have gas? If the car's tank is empty, the game won't show a siphon option. You can verify by getting in the car and looking at the dash fuel gauge, or using Vehicle Mechanics to check fuel amount. Also, on Build 42 make sure you have a Rubber Hose in your inventory – without it, you won't get the prompt at all.

"Where do I find a hose in Build 42? I can't siphon without it!"

Hoses spawn in many tool-related loot tables. Think garages, sheds, auto shops, gas station storage rooms, hardware stores. One player reports finding them even via foraging in city zones. They're somewhat uncommon but not ultra-rare. Keep an eye out for a coiled green hose icon. Until you find one, you can still use gas pumps normally – you just can't siphon cars.

"Can I use an empty Bottle to siphon gas or store fuel?"

Yes – as of Build 41.73, any portable container like empty pop bottles, bourbon bottles, buckets, etc., can hold gasoline. This means if you desperately need to fuel a generator or car and lack a gas can, you could fill an empty water bottle at a pump or siphon into it from a car (the game will automatically use an eligible container in your inventory). Bottles only hold ~0.5 units of fuel though, so it's very inefficient (you'd need 16 bottles to equal one gas can). Use bottles as a last resort or to top-off small engines.

"Do I need a Funnel or any other tool to pour gas?"

No – funnels are a red herring. There is an item called Funnel in the game files, but currently it has no use. The gas can has a spout by default, so you can pour gas into car tanks or generators without a funnel. Maybe in the future funnels might matter for pouring between certain containers, but as of now, you can ignore it. The only tool that matters is the rubber hose for siphoning out of tanks.

"My car's gas tank is leaking, what can I do?"

If you notice fuel disappearing from your car over time or a puddle under it, the gas tank may be damaged (common in older cars or if it's taken bullet/zombie damage). Unfortunately, you can't patch a tank – you'd have to replace the tank via mechanics or swap vehicles. In the meantime, siphon out any remaining gas from that car into a can, and use it elsewhere. A leaking tank will literally drip out the gas you put in, so it's a losing battle.

Final Thoughts 🎮🧟

Every survivor has a gas-related horror story – running out of fuel in the middle of a zombie-infested highway, or knocking over a pump with your car and losing precious liters. Learning how to siphon gas effectively and adapt to Project Zomboid's evolving mechanics is a game-changer. I remember my first B42 run: I spent a week on foot because I didn't realize I needed a hose to get gas from that loaded pick-up truck! Don't be me – now you know what's required and where to get it.

In summary, fuel is a finite but manageable resource in Project Zomboid. Mastering siphoning – with a gas can in one hand and a hose in the other – will keep your cars running and your generators humming. Plan your fuel runs, take advantage of any fuel you find, and stay safe out there. The roads of Kentucky are a lot friendlier when you've got a tank full of gas and an escape route planned.

Further Resources:

Project Zomboid Wiki – Gas Can & Rubber Hose pages (item details and spawning info)
Project Zomboid Wiki – Generator guide (using generators safely for power)
Project Zomboid Forum Thread – "Fuel Economy in B42" (community tips on stretching fuel and experiences with finite gas)
Project Zomboid Hotwire Guide - How to Hotwire Cars (because siphoning gas is only useful if you can start that car!) 🚗🔧

Recent Patch History Affecting Fuel Mechanics

Date	Change Note	Impact on Gameplay
Aug 10, 2022 (Build 41.73)	Empty bottles can now be used to store fuel.	Survivors aren't wholly dependent on gas cans – you can improvise with common bottles to carry small amounts of gas. Made early-game fuel slightly easier.
Dec 17, 2024 (Build 42.0 Unstable)	Rubber hose now required to siphon fuel from vehicles. Gas station fuel made finite (no infinite gasoline).	Huge early-game shift: need an extra tool (hose) to get fuel, delaying vehicle use unless you loot one. Finite gas ups the survival challenge.
Jan 13, 2025 (Build 42.3 Patch)	Adjusted default sandbox settings for fuel: enabled chance of empty gas stations by default.	Some players found all local pumps empty. This change reinforced planning for fuel scarcity. Early exploration for fuel became part of the meta.
Mar 24, 2025 (Build 42.x Update)	Various tweaks to looting and balance (community feedback).	Fuel hose spawn rate slightly increased (anecdotally) so that most players find one within first week. Minor balance to make B42 fair but still challenging.