Car didn't have a users manual when I recently got it. All the online references say it has a 17.1 U.S. gallon capacity. Twice now it has run out of gas and the fill up to spilling out would only take 14.5 gallons. (Two gallons from can and 12.5 at the station, just a couple miles travel) Before I open the tank and see if the pickup is bent, I'd like to find out if anyone knows if there was a smaller tank option.
Thanks.

 

17.04 U.S. gallons (see attached).

 

Yeah, that's all I've found anywhere. Guess I have to open it. Thanks. I'll update with what I find out. Who knows, maybe it has a collosal dent that changed the capacity. Or maybe someone swapped the tank. Or someone changed the fuel pump and pickup but got the wrong one. Or, I'm hoping for, just a bent pickup.

 

Please don't take this the wrong way......or at X miles since the last fill up (12 gallons times average MPG) fill the car up?

Have you tested the "low fuel" light?

 

The fuel pump should have some kind of suction nozzle to suck fuel from the bottom of the tank. Say there's a leak in that, and when the fuel gets lower than some level in the tank, the pump starts sucking air through that leak. So when you "run out of gas" maybe the tank wasn't completely empty?

 

Poorman, I check the mileage every tank. Averaging 31 to 34 mpg. I had never gone more than 400 miles without fill up before the two times I mention. So I should have a 527 to 578 mile range. The first empty was 433 and the second 438. 14.5 gals filled up each, @ 30 mpg for each of those tanks. The low fuel light has never come on. Didn't think it had one.
JimBlake, yeah, I thought of that possibility also. I was dressed too nicely to climb under and tap on it to listen for an idea if it still had a reasonable quantity those times before refilling. I'll know this weekend when I open it.

 

There are tests you can do for the light.

Also know that this time of year you get "winter blend" gas which will decrease MPG.

 

manage it over the winter and look at it in the spring.
14.5 gal x 31 mpg = 450 mile range, so refill it at 325 miles in the meantime.