How much fuel can a regular car hold?
2 Answers
Generally, small cars have a fuel tank capacity of 35-45 liters, while medium-sized cars have a capacity of 55-75 liters. A full tank typically allows for a driving range of around 500 kilometers. The size of the fuel tank correlates with the vehicle's displacement; cars with higher fuel consumption have larger tanks, and those with lower consumption have smaller tanks. During the actual refueling process, the amount of fuel may exceed the calibrated volume. This is because the fuel tank capacity specified by the manufacturer is measured from the bottom of the tank to the safe fill level. There is additional space from the safe fill level to the tank opening, which is designed to allow for fuel expansion due to temperature increases without causing overflow. If fuel is filled up to the tank opening during refueling, the actual amount of fuel added may exceed the calibrated tank capacity. To check the remaining fuel level, car owners can observe the fuel gauge on the right side of the instrument panel, which is marked with 'E' and 'F'. When the needle is close to 'E', it indicates that the fuel is nearly empty, while proximity to 'F' means the fuel level is sufficient.
The fuel tank capacity of most family cars typically ranges between 40 to 60 liters. When my old Honda is running on empty and I go to refuel, it usually takes about 45 liters before the pump automatically clicks off. Although the fuel cap indicates a 60-liter capacity, some space needs to be reserved for fuel evaporation and expansion. Overfilling can also potentially damage the carbon canister system, so I always stop as soon as I hear the 'click' sound. Additionally, vehicles with larger engines tend to have bigger fuel tanks, such as SUVs that can hold over 70 liters, which is more than enough for long-distance travel.
