Given that in real life gas IN THE BEST conditions can only last about a year before it is no longer good the very fact that you can get gas from anything in the game is bonus. Add in the ability to make fresh gas and I have no idea what you are complaining about.
Correction... can't turn off backpack on death its either loose everything, backpack or toolbelt... A loose nothing setting would be nice until they can get around to fixing the bug that makes you loose your stuff. Or if not a command to summon your BP at the very least.