1998 Buick Riviera Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

Coupe 1 trim listed ← 1997 1999 →

Fuel tank capacity

18.5gal · 70 L

The 1998 Buick Riviera has a fuel tank capacity of 18.5 gallons (70 liters).

A full tank is good for roughly 463 highway miles or 296 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

18.5 gal · Smaller than 52% of 1998 models we list.

Highway range
463 mi
City range
296 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
19 MPG
EPA size class
Midsize Cars

1998 Buick Riviera fuel tank capacity by trim

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
Supercharged 2dr Coupe 3.8L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 16 / 25Range 296 / 463 mi 3.8L 6cyl 4A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 16 / 25 296 / 463 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 1998 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 18.5-gallon tank covers about 352 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full18.5463296
3/413.9347222
1/29.3231148
1/44.611674
1/82.35837

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 1998 Buick Riviera

$78.99 to fill the 18.5-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
18.5 galRegular$4.27$78.99$59.25

By region, 18.5-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$74.37
Midwest$4.27$78.99
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$68.45
Rocky Mountain$4.46$82.51
West Coast$5.42$100.27
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$108.96

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

  • 18.5-gallon tank$78.99
  • 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

The tank changed for 1998: 18.5 gal, down from 20.0 gal on the 1997 Riviera.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
1999 Riviera 18.5 gal 463 mi
1998 Riviera 18.5 gal 463 mi
1997 Riviera 20.0 gal 520 mi
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
Buick Riviera fuel tank by model year

1998 Buick Riviera vs similar 1998 coupes

The Riviera has the largest tank of the two 1998 coupes compared here, 18.5 gallons against 16.6 for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

1998 modelTankLongest highway range
Buick Riviera 18.5 gal 463 mi
Chevrolet Monte Carlo 16.6 gal 448 mi

Other 1998 coupes of a similar size, one model per brand.

1998 Buick Riviera fuel pump and gauge parts

These are the part numbers the makers list for the 1998 Buick Riviera. Check the fuel system recalls first: recall repairs are free.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1998 Buick Riviera?

The 1998 Buick Riviera holds 18.5 gallons (70 liters).

How many gallons and liters does the 1998 Buick Riviera gas tank hold?

The 1998 Buick Riviera tank holds 70 liters, or 18.5 gallons in US gallons.

How far can a 1998 Buick Riviera go on a full tank?

About 463 miles on the highway and 296 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 1998 Buick Riviera go on a quarter tank?

About 116 highway miles or 74 in town from the 18.5-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 1998 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 1998 Buick Riviera?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 18.5-gallon tank from empty costs $78.99. It ranges from $68.45 in the Gulf Coast to $108.96 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1998 Buick Riviera?

About 115 pounds for the 18.5-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 1998 Buick Riviera have a bigger gas tank than the Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

Yes. The 1998 Buick Riviera holds up to 18.5 gallons; the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo holds up to 16.6.

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).

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

Other 1998 Buick models