How To Check The Fuel Tank Capacity of Cars?

When buying a car, different things roam in the mind of the buyer. From car safety mechanisms to mileage, everything needs to be checked. However, these car companies often outsmart the buyers in some aspects by misrepresenting the data, especially when it comes to mileage or fuel tank capacity, as those are the first two things Indian buyers check before buying a car. This is a very serious issue that needs the attention of all the people planning to buy a car. We will help you out with that in this blog. If you are someone looking forward to knowing the fuel tank capacity of any car, then no need to worry as we have got you covered about everything you need to know. 

What Is Fuel Tank Capacity?

Fuel tank capacity represents the total volume of petroleum or diesel a car tank can hold. It is one of the most important features of a car that people look for. The fuel tank capacity helps you to assess vehicle range, operational efficiency, and overall performance. 

All About Fuel Tanks 

The main purpose of a fuel tank is to store different fuels like petrol and diesel, but there is also some other importance of the fuel tank in cars. Here are the main features of a fuel tank that you should be aware of: 

• Storage: The fuel tank must be able to contain the fuel safely and prevent leakage or evaporative emissions. 

• Filling: The fuel tank should be designed in a way for safe filing to avoid the risk of sparks igniting the fuel. 

• Measurement: The fuel limit in the tank needs to be measured in real-time to inform the driver about the current fuel limit. 

• Feeding: The tank must have good connectivity to supply fuel to the engine. 

Components Of a Fuel Tank 

Fuel tanks of cars can be made up of different materials, especially metal or plastic. For metal tanks, steel or aluminium is used; these tanks are durable but heavier. While plastic tanks are made up of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), these tanks are lighter and can be moulded into different types of shapes.

Fuel Tank Capacity in Vehicles 

For passenger vehicles, the average capacity of fuel tanks ranges between 50 and 60 litres. The size of the tank determines the need to fuel up when you go for a long drive but also plays a major role in determining the size and weight of the car. Though larger fuel tanks will give you better mileage, it increases the weight and decreases the cargo space of the car. 

For commercial vehicles like trucks, the fuel tank can range from 200 litres to 500 litres, depending on the size of the truck. The high fuel tank capacity helps the drivers and owners handle heavy-duty long-range transportation smoothly. 

Checking The Fuel Tank Capacity: A Step-by-Step Guide

Checking the fuel tank capacity is one of the most important tasks for any buyer before buying a car. There are several ways to get that job done. Here is a detailed guide about how you can check the fuel tank capacity of the car you are planning to buy: 

1. Check The Brand Manual: The first and easiest way to know the fuel tank capacity is by reading the brand manual, where fuel tank capacity is mentioned under “specifications” or "capacities.”.

2. Read Online Resources: Several websites give different specifications of a vehicle; go and check those websites to know the fuel tank capacity of any car. 

3. Calculate Manually: First, determine the dimensions of the tank, like height, length, and breadth for rectangular, and measure the diameter and height for cylindrical. Then for rectangular, use the formula: volume = length * width * height.

For cylindrical use the formula: volume = πr²h (π = 3.14).

4. Fill Up The Tank: If you are still unsure about the fuel tank capacity of your car, then take it to a fuel pump and get the tank filled. Then you can check the total capacity in the metre of the pump. 

Why Knowing Fuel Tank Capacity Is Important?

We have mentioned several ways in which you can easily find out the fuel tank capacity of your car, but you can still have a question in your mind: why is knowing the fuel tank capacity even important? To answer it in simple words, we can say that it is important for better operation of the vehicle. Here are the top 5 importance of knowing the fuel tank capacity: 

1. Operational Efficiency: Larger fuel tanks eradicate the need to fuel the car now and then, helping in a smoother long drive. 

2. Cost Management: Having proper knowledge about the fuel tank capacity helps you in allocating a budget for fuel, especially when you need the car for daily use. 

3. Engine Protection: Knowing the fuel tank capacity helps you to run the car with enough fuel, as running the car with a low fuel level can cause severe damage to the engine. 

4. Emergency Preparation: During any emergency drive or drive in remote areas, knowing the fuel tank capacity is very important, as that gives you a chance to prepare beforehand and have peace of mind.

5. Avoid Overfilling: Having the right idea of the volume of the car helps you to prevent overfilling, as overfilling can cause damage to the car.

Common Misconceptions About Fuel Tank Capacity

There are many misconceptions about fuel tanks of cars, but you need to be aware of them so you don’t believe in them and get misguided. So, let's dig deep and find out some truths about fuel tanks: 

• Larger Tanks Guarantee Efficiency: Larger tanks minimise the need to fuel up now and then but don’t guarantee efficiency. 

• Overfill is Safe: This is a wrong notion, as overfilling can cause pressure on the tank and damages too in the long run. 

• You Can Use All The Fuel: Many people think they can use all the fuel in the tank, but in reality, the car doesn’t leave a small reserve to prevent any damage to the engine. 

How To Contact The Manufacturer For Accurate Information

No matter whichever way to try to find out the real fuel tank capacity, knowing it from the manufacturer is the safest and the most convenient way to find more accurate information. Follow these steps for exact information: 

1.  Go to the manufacturer’s website and read the information there. 

2. Try to contact them through customer care channels like calls or WhatsApp to get the data. 

3. Check the social media page of the manufacturing brand, where they have posted about the features of the car. 

4. Contact the local dealership to know the details or get the manual from them. 

Conclusion

Fuel tank capacity is a very important feature of a car, and when you are planning to buy a car, it is your responsibility to do proper research and know the capacity accurately. Knowing the capacity will further help you with operations and budget management. Use different ways to know the tank capacity, but also get it verified from the manufacturers themselves. 

FAQs 

1. What is a reserve tank?

Ans. A reserve tank is another additional tank with the main fuel tank that contains 15% of the capacity of the primary tank. 

2. Is it possible to overfill my tank?

Ans. You can overfuel beyond the mentioned capacity of your fuel tank as there is some extra space in the inlet pipe, but it is not a good choice as it can lead to vapour lock and damage the whole engine. 

3. How does temperature affect fuel tank capacity?

Ans. When heated, fuel gets expanded automatically, and that is why fuel tanks have more space to prevent any kind of pressure buildup. 

4. What materials are used to make fuel tanks?

Ans. Fuel tanks are mainly made up of plastic, aluminium, or steel, as they can safely store inflammable fuel. 

5. Do SUVs and trucks have larger fuel tanks?

Ans. Yes, SUVs and trucks have comparatively larger fuel tanks than other passenger cars so that they can store more fuel for long drives. 

6. How far can I drive with the fuel light on?

Ans. The fuel light typically turns on when you have 10–15% of the fuel tank left; now you need to calculate the range according to the capacity of the tank and your car’s mileage. 

7. How often should I fill up my tank?

Ans. It is recommended to fill your fuel tank when ¼ of the total capacity is remaining, as driving with little fuel can cause damage to the fuel pump.