What is the typical fuel tank capacity of large vehicles?
2 Answers
Large vehicles typically have a fuel tank capacity of 140 liters. The fuel tank capacity measures a vehicle's ability to store fuel, which directly determines the driving range. For two vehicles with identical engines, the one with a larger fuel tank can travel farther. The fuel tank serves to store the working fluid required by the hydraulic system and also functions to dissipate heat, settle impurities, and separate air bubbles from the liquid. During actual refueling, the amount of fuel may exceed the calibrated capacity. This is because the fuel tank capacity specified by manufacturers is measured from the bottom of the tank to the safe fill level, leaving some space between the safe fill level and the tank opening. This space ensures that the fuel can expand when temperatures rise without overflowing. 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, drivers can observe the fuel gauge on the right side of the dashboard, marked with 'E' and 'F'. When the needle is close to 'E', it indicates low fuel, while proximity to 'F' means the tank is nearly full.
As someone who often drives large SUVs, I have to say the fuel tank capacity is quite substantial. For example, my car has about a 30-gallon tank and can run approximately 500 miles. This saves the hassle of frequent refueling in actual driving, especially during long trips, eliminating the need to constantly stop to find a gas station. However, the drawbacks are also obvious: filling up the tank can be costly, and it's painful when gas prices rise. Additionally, tank maintenance requires careful attention, such as regular cleaning or checking the seals to prevent impurities from affecting the fuel system. Extra caution is needed in rainy or dusty conditions. In short, a large capacity makes life easier, but you also need to balance fuel consumption and costs.