low on gas low on power
 

I have noticed that the less gas I have in my tank the less power I seem to get out of my car (2000 ford escort zx2) it seems to shift harder (its an automatic) and 'pops' into gear when i start it up and put it into gear. (It jumps instead of a smooth transition. as soon as i fill it up with a full tank it goes away until I get low on gas. i can notice it around half a tank and it is very apparent at a quarter and less.

Any ideas? Or is this just normal.

I've seen this happen with a clogged fuel filter. The pump is at the bottom of the tank generally and the weight of the gasoline helps the pump do it's work. As the weight comes off the pump is less able to force the gas through the dirty filter. Couldn't hurt to change it anyway - it's something most people forget about until it's so bad that it stalls the car.

Just do it outside. The first time I changed one I did it in the garage and got high as a kite ;)

lol, sounds like a plan, thanks for the help

COuld be a fuel pump, as well. On a 2000, and with today's fuels, I don't see the filter being the problem. I changed the FACTORY filter on my '92 Pontiac a couple months ago. It didnt' fix the problems I had...so now we lean towards the fuel pump. Just another idea for ya.

if the filter does not fix it ill take it to a mechanic to check the pump