GM patent 2026: active suspension could move remaining fuel toward the pump

© A. Krivonosov

A car can stall even though gasoline is still left in the tank: at a very low level, the fuel does not always reach the pump. General Motors proposes using the suspension itself to address the problem. Patent application US20260264519A1, published on September 10, 2026, describes an algorithm that can change the vehicle's pitch or body roll so the remaining fuel flows toward the pump.

The problem stems from the complex shape of modern fuel tanks. Recesses for mounting points, chassis components and other packaging constraints can create pockets inside the tank. When the fuel level is extremely low, some gasoline may remain trapped below the pump pickup, leaving the engine without fuel even though a small amount is still physically present in the tank.

The described mode is called Suspension Fuel Range Extension, or SFRE. After a low-fuel warning, the controller can limit vehicle speed, activate the hazard lights and use active chassis components. Air springs can alter the vehicle's longitudinal pitch, while active anti-roll bars can create lateral roll. Because the tank is fixed to the body, it tilts with the vehicle, helping the remaining fuel move toward the pump pickup. Once the procedure is complete, the system ends SFRE mode.

An important detail is that GM proposes using active chassis hardware that may already be present on the vehicle to direct the remaining fuel toward the standard pump. That makes the idea look more technically realistic than many automotive patents. However, the document names neither a specific model nor a timetable for implementation. For now, it is a pending patent application, not an announcement of a production feature.

Fuel range is a relevant issue for GM's gasoline-powered vehicles. The company is preparing a larger fuel tank for the next Chevrolet Silverado because current versions trail some rivals in tank capacity. Still, the Silverado cannot be linked to SFRE at this stage: the patent describes a general principle and allows the system to be used on different types of vehicles.

This is not the only recent example of GM trying to make existing hardware perform an additional task. Another September filing proposes automatically controlling a vehicle after a trailer coupling fails. In both cases, these are engineering scenarios that GM is protecting through patent filings, not confirmed features for future production vehicles.