GTA 6 Refuelling Takes 10 Seconds, Rockstar Defends It

A New Mechanic Causing a Stir

One of the more divisive details to emerge about GTA 6 is the apparent inclusion of a vehicle refuelling mechanic — meaning players will need to stop and fill up their tanks during play. It's the kind of realism-focused addition that tends to split opinion sharply in the GTA community.

How Long Does It Actually Take?

According to recent reports, the refuelling animation runs for roughly 10 seconds in real time. That's not an enormous chunk out of a session, but in a game where momentum and freedom are central, even a brief pause can feel intrusive to some players.

Rockstar co-studio head Jess Harwood pushed back on the criticism, reportedly framing 10 seconds as "pretty fast for a fill-up" — essentially arguing that the mechanic reflects a grounded, believable world without being a major inconvenience.

What This Means for Players

• Strategic awareness will matter more — keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before long drives or missions could become second nature.
• Gas stations on the map are likely to take on a more meaningful role than in previous GTA titles.
• Players chasing efficiency might want to keep a vehicle well-fuelled before heading into high-stakes situations.

Whether you see 10 seconds as a minor immersion detail or an annoying interruption will probably depend on your playstyle — but it's clear Rockstar views it as a deliberate design choice rather than an oversight.

The Bigger Picture

GTA 6 is shaping up to be significantly more simulation-leaning than its predecessors. Refuelling joins a growing list of mechanics suggesting Rockstar wants the world to feel lived-in and reactive. Whether the community fully warms to it remains to be seen when the game launches on November 19, 2026.

Keep an eye on our news section for further GTA 6 gameplay detail reveals as they surface.