In Real Fuel, Helium-3 is now consumed from your Ship's Tanks when travelling between Star Systems. You will have to buy, craft, harvest, and maybe even 'borrow' fuel as you make your way throughout the Settled Systems.

Contact/Feedback

If you encounter any issues, please let me know. You may join the Spacefarer Discord at https://discord.gg/YQHjkGd89x or via the QR code. I can also be reached in the official BGS Discord as S1nderion.

Fuel Usage and Refueling

The Fueling system is the core of Real Fuel. You will now consume Helium-3 Fuel from your Fuel Tanks when performing a Grav Jump. Please note that the amount consumed is not exact and may vary from what is displayed on the Star Map.

Helium-3 and Ship Fuel can be acquired in a variety of ways. As you gain more skills and experience, more methods may become available.

When starting out, most Fueling will be done through Ship Services. Simply speak to a Technician and he'll fix you up.
Vendors will stock a variety of Fuel items. You will have better luck at the Trade Authority or establishments catering to spacefarers.
Loot enemy ships after combat for spare Ship Fuel. Tip: Larger ships carry more Fuel on board.
Create an Outpost and set up a Helium-3 Harvester. If you have Fabricators available, use them to craft Ship Fuel items.
You can also build Fuel Dispensers, which are accessible via SmartFuel. These let you consume He-3 as fuel directly.
Board enemy ships or visit Industrial or Science-type locations to find Fuel out in the world.
If you are using The Space Economy, enabling Fueling via its Ledger will automatically fill your tanks at Settlements.

SmartFuel

Initially, SmartFuel will be available via your ship's Cargo Panel. Simply select the new [REFUEL] option and SmartFuel will intelligently choose your best Refueling option. SmartFuel can perform the following actions:

Purchase fuel from Star-Stations you are docked with or Settlements you are moored at.
Draw Helium-3 in its gas form from your Cargo Hold directly into your Fuel Tanks.
Use Ship Fuel items in your Hold.
(Upon commandeering a new ship) Drain Fuel from your old ship's tanks.
Refuel from Fuel Dispensers at your outposts.

The Fuel Panel can be placed anywhere on your ship once a rank of Astrodynamics is taken. It will allow you to access SmartFuel, as well as provide immersive feedback on fuel level, malfunctions, and more.

Fuel Siphoning

As with anything else, you can use nefarious means to acquire Fuel for your ship.

The Siphon panel unlocks the ability to drain other ships of their Fuel, adding it to your own tanks.
There may also be other items found while exploring that allow Siphoning to be performed.
Note that Siphoning is, broadly speaking, illegal! But it is fair game from Spacers or other ne'er-do-wells.
Some Vessels may have their fuel tanks Secured by digital locks.
You will have to Hack their security or use certain items to bypass it.

The Siphon Panel can be placed anywhere on your ship once a rank of Security is taken.

Travel and Exploration Systems

The Exploration system is the 'glue' of the system. Your ability to travel throughout space is now dependent on a variety of factors.

Firstly, If you run out of fuel, you can no longer Grav Jump to other systems.
You will have to refuel or enable Emergency Jump procedures to continue.
A simple base restriction prevents travel unless you are in space or in the pilot's seat.
This restriction is configurable.

Malfunctions

Performing an Emergency Jump may trigger Graviton Entanglement, damaging your Ship and Grav Drive.
Jumping too frequently may cause a Loop Array Overheat, requiring some time before you can Jump again.

Survival Mode [OPTIONAL]

If you enable Survival mode, various system parameters will be adjusted for a more immersive and realistic experience. The following changes are currently implemented in Survival mode:

Fast Travel back to Cities will be unavailable from Unsettled systems.
Ship Fuel items will appear less frequently in the world or in Cargo Holds.
Your Hold will only store 4 Ship Fuel items per Reactor Class.
Loop Array Overheats will occur after most jumps. Level Astrodynamics to reduce their duration.
You will have to refuel fully after an Emergency Jump before it becomes available again.
Ships are more likely to be Secured with higher level locks.

Survival Mode can be toggled on or off at any time via the [Real Fuel: Survival Mode] Gameplay Option.

Tutorials and Feedback

Real Fuel provides constant feedback on your ship's Grav Drive and Fuel status for convenience. Additionally, systems are explained in a simple pop-up when the mod begins. Most Tutorial pop-ups can be opted out of if you prefer to learn on your own. They will only ever play once, but the Help Menu entry can be consulted anytime for more information on the new systems.

Gameplay Options

In Simulation Mode, more consideration of your ship's fuel and travel abilities must be taken.
In Streamlined Mode, you can travel a little more freely - but still have to keep an eye on the fuel gauge!
Survival Mode runs separately from the above and implements additional modifiers on most interactions for greater immersion and difficulty.

Tips and Tricks

You can craft Ship Fuel from harvested or purchased Helium-3 at any Industrial Workbench or in new Fabricators.
You may wish to add more Fuel Tanks to your ship, especially for smaller vessels. More capacity now means more time spent exploring!
A Siphon panel allows you to drain Fuel from other vessels.
Newly purchased ships may or may not come fully fueled, so budget accordingly!