1996 Acura RL Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

Sedan 2 trims listed 1997 →

Fuel tank capacity

18.0gal · 68 L

The 1996 Acura RL has a fuel tank capacity of 18.0 gallons (68 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 414 highway miles or 306 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

18.0 gal · Smaller than 60% of 1996 models we list.

Highway range
414 mi
City range
306 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
19 MPG
EPA size class
Midsize Cars

1996 Acura RL fuel tank capacity by trim

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
3.5 4dr Sedan 3.5L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 306 / 414 mi 3.5L 6cyl 4A FWD 18.0 gal68 L 17 / 23 306 / 414 mi
3.5 Premium 4dr Sedan 3.5L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 306 / 414 mi 3.5L 6cyl 4A FWD 18.0 gal68 L 17 / 23 306 / 414 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 1996 Acura RL goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 19 MPG, a full 18.0-gallon tank covers about 342 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full18.0414306
3/413.5311230
1/29.0207153
1/44.510477
1/82.35238

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 789 gallons, roughly 44 full tanks.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

EPA combined
19 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
468 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings

What it costs to fill up a 1996 Acura RL

$76.86 to fill the 18.0-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
18.0 galRegular$4.27$76.86$57.64

By region, 18.0-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$72.36
Midwest$4.27$76.86
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$66.60
Rocky Mountain$4.46$80.28
West Coast$5.42$97.56
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$106.02

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 18.0-gallon tank$76.86
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,371

Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

RL tank size in other years

1996 is the first RL model year we list.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2001 RL 18.0 gal 396 mi
2000 RL 18.0 gal 396 mi
1999 RL 18.0 gal 396 mi
1998 RL 18.0 gal 414 mi
1997 RL 18.0 gal 414 mi
1996 RL 18.0 gal 414 mi
Acura RL fuel tank by model year

1996 Acura RL vs similar 1996 sedans

The RL has the smallest tank of the seven 1996 sedans compared here: 18.0 gallons, against 21.1 for the Lexus GS 300.

1996 modelTankLongest highway range
Lexus GS 300 21.1 gal 464 mi
Audi A6 19.8–21.1 gal 485 mi
Mercedes-Benz E-Class 17.2–21.1 gal 550 mi
Volvo 960 20.8 gal 499 mi
Cadillac Seville 20.0 gal 480 mi
INFINITI J30 19.0 gal 418 mi
Acura RL 18.0 gal 414 mi

Other 1996 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.

1996 Acura RL fuel system recalls

None of the 2 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1996 Acura RL involve the fuel system.

All Acura fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

1996 Acura RL fuel pump and gauge parts

NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 1996 Acura RL, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1996 Acura RL?

The 1996 Acura RL holds 18.0 gallons (68 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 1996 Acura RL gas tank hold?

The 1996 Acura RL tank holds 68 liters, or 18.0 gallons in US gallons.

How far can a 1996 Acura RL go on a full tank?

About 414 miles on the highway and 306 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 1996 Acura RL go on a quarter tank?

About 104 highway miles or 77 in town from the 18.0-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.5 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

What gas does the 1996 Acura RL take?

Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 1996 Acura RL?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 18.0-gallon tank from empty costs $76.86. It ranges from $66.60 in the Gulf Coast to $106.02 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1996 Acura RL?

About 112 pounds for the 18.0-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 1996 Acura RL have a bigger gas tank than the Lexus GS 300?

No. The 1996 Lexus GS 300 holds up to 21.1 gallons; the 1996 Acura RL holds up to 18.0.

Has the 1996 Acura RL had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

No. None of the 2 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1996 Acura RL involve the fuel system.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Acura fuel system recalls).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 1996 Acura models