Why Can a 50L Fuel Tank Hold 55L at the Gas Station?

[DeAustin]

Car fuel tanks have standard capacity that differs from actual capacity. Below are relevant explanations: 1. Every vehicle fuel tank has both rated capacity and actual capacity. There is a discrepancy between these two figures: The fuel tank capacity shown in vehicle specifications or labeled on the fuel cap represents only the maximum reasonable capacity. 2. Regular fuel tanks can accommodate 10% or even 15% more fuel than their labeled capacity: All objects experience thermal expansion and contraction. During design, considering the fuel's expansion coefficient, designers set a safety margin - the maximum reasonable capacity. When refueling, staying below this value is acceptable. Exceeding it slightly isn't cause for alarm, though doing so increases risks like potential fuel overflow due to temperature rises. 3. A car's fuel tank serves purely as a container, not a measuring device: Its capacity value permits reasonable tolerance for minor discrepancies.