1990 Buick Riviera Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
18.2gal · 69 L
The 1990 Buick Riviera has a fuel tank capacity of 18.2 gallons (69 liters).
A full tank is good for roughly 455 highway miles or 291 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
18.2 gal · Bigger than 52% of 1990 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
1990 Buick Riviera fuel tank capacity by trim
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Coupe 3.8L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 16 / 25Range 291 / 455 mi | 3.8L 6cyl 4A | FWD | 18.2 gal69 L | 16 / 25 | 291 / 455 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
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 1990 Buick Riviera 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 18.2-gallon tank covers about 346 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 18.2 | 455 | 291 |
| 3/4 | 13.7 | 341 | 218 |
| 1/2 | 9.1 | 228 | 146 |
| 1/4 | 4.6 | 114 | 73 |
| 1/8 | 2.3 | 57 | 36 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 789 gallons, roughly 43 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 1990 Buick Riviera
$77.71 to fill the 18.2-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.2 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $77.71 | $58.29 |
By region, 18.2-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $73.16 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $77.71 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $67.34 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $81.17 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $98.64 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $107.20 |
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
- 18.2-gallon tank$77.71
- 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.
Riviera tank size in other years
1990 is the first Riviera model year we list.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 Riviera | 20.0 gal | 540 mi |
| 1995 Riviera | 20.0 gal | 520 mi |
| 1993 Riviera | 18.8 gal | 470 mi |
| 1992 Riviera | 18.8 gal | 451 mi |
| 1991 Riviera | 18.8 gal | 451 mi |
| 1990 Riviera | 18.2 gal | 455 mi |
1990 Buick Riviera vs similar 1990 coupes
At 18.2 gallons, the Riviera's largest tank ranks third of the six 1990 coupes compared here. The Ford Thunderbird carries the most (19.0 gal) and the Pontiac Grand Prix the least (16.0 gal).
| 1990 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Thunderbird | 19.0 gal | 456 mi |
| Mercury Cougar | 19.0 gal | 456 mi |
| Buick Riviera | 18.2 gal | 455 mi |
| Oldsmobile Toronado | 18.0 gal | 432 mi |
| Chevrolet Lumina | 16.5–17.1 gal | 428 mi |
| Pontiac Grand Prix | 16.0 gal | 432 mi |
Other 1990 coupes of a similar size, one model per brand.
1990 Buick Riviera fuel system recalls
None of the 4 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1990 Buick Riviera involve the fuel system.
1990 Buick Riviera fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 1990 Buick Riviera, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1990 Buick Riviera?
The 1990 Buick Riviera holds 18.2 gallons (69 liters).
How many gallons and liters does the 1990 Buick Riviera gas tank hold?
The 1990 Buick Riviera tank holds 69 liters, or 18.2 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 1990 Buick Riviera go on a full tank?
About 455 miles on the highway and 291 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 1990 Buick Riviera go on a quarter tank?
About 114 highway miles or 73 in town from the 18.2-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.6 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 1990 Buick Riviera take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 1990 Buick Riviera?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 18.2-gallon tank from empty costs $77.71. It ranges from $67.34 in the Gulf Coast to $107.20 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1990 Buick Riviera?
About 113 pounds for the 18.2-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 1990 Buick Riviera have a bigger gas tank than the Ford Thunderbird?
No. The 1990 Ford Thunderbird holds up to 19.0 gallons; the 1990 Buick Riviera holds up to 18.2.
Has the 1990 Buick Riviera had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 4 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1990 Buick Riviera 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 (Buick 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.