Grand Theft Auto 6 is introducing plenty of new features, and one of them is already causing some division.
The latest look at GTA 6 has confirmed that vehicles will require fuel. This means players will occasionally have to take a break from their mischief and stop at gas stations to refuel their vehicles.
Players will need to monitor a fuel gauge located in the driving UI to keep track of how much fuel their vehicle has left. The refueling system requires players to get out of their vehicle and interact with a pump, while electric vehicles reportedly have their own charging requirements. The entire process takes around 10 seconds.
Refueling is part of a broader push toward realism in GTA 6. The game will also track various aspects of Jason and Lucia's lives, including how much they eat, work out, and sleep, with their physical appearance changing based on these habits.
More Realism, But At What Cost?
While around 10 seconds is not particularly long, some fans aren't convinced that stopping for fuel belongs in a GTA game. One user online simply commented, “Is this a joke?”
Others have questioned whether the mechanic could disrupt the series' notoriously fast-paced gameplay, especially during high-speed driving, police chases, and other high-stakes action sequences.
I love that they added refueling to GTA 6
— Synth Potato (@SynthPotato) September 7, 2026
Imagine being chased by the cops and then suddenly your gas runs out near the swamps, so now you have to ditch the car and run through the swamps, dodging alligators AND cops.
It's gonna result in so many unique gameplay moments! pic.twitter.com/87XIX6OpsC
There are some potential benefits, though. Running low on fuel during a long journey or after stealing a vehicle could force players to improvise, potentially leaving them stranded and making them travel on foot, hide in the wilderness, or deal with whatever threatening wildlife happens to be nearby.
Gas stations also aren't limited to refueling. According to reports from the recent preview, players can use them to repair damaged vehicles, giving them a more useful role in the open world.
Rockstar Is Defending Their Decision
Rockstar appears to be aware that players may not immediately embrace the mechanic. During a preview of GTA 6, Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson acknowledged concerns, telling content creator TGG, “We'll see what people say,” before asking whether he thought players would like it.
However, Nelson also defended the system by pointing out how quick the process is. After demonstrating a refueling sequence, he remarked, “Hey, that's pretty fast for a fill-up. You can't complain about that.”
That seems to be Rockstar's main argument: refueling may add another layer of realism, but it shouldn't take long enough to become a serious inconvenience.