1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
13.6gal · 51 L
The 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier has a fuel tank capacity of 13.6 gallons (51 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 354–449 highway miles or 231–299 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
13.6 gal · Smaller than 88% of 1990 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
1990 Chevrolet Cavalier fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Engine
- no difference
All 8 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Coupe 2.2L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 22 / 33Range 299 / 449 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 13.6 gal51 L | 22 / 33 | 299 / 449 mi | |
| 4dr Sedan 2.2L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 22 / 33Range 299 / 449 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 13.6 gal51 L | 22 / 33 | 299 / 449 mi | |
| 4dr Wagon 2.2L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 22 / 33Range 299 / 449 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 13.6 gal51 L | 22 / 33 | 299 / 449 mi | |
| RS 2dr Coupe 2.2L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 22 / 33Range 299 / 449 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 13.6 gal51 L | 22 / 33 | 299 / 449 mi | |
| VL 2dr Coupe 2.2L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 22 / 33Range 299 / 449 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 13.6 gal51 L | 22 / 33 | 299 / 449 mi | |
| VL 4dr Sedan 2.2L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 22 / 33Range 299 / 449 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 13.6 gal51 L | 22 / 33 | 299 / 449 mi | |
| VL 4dr Wagon 2.2L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 22 / 33Range 299 / 449 mi | 2.2L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 13.6 gal51 L | 22 / 33 | 299 / 449 mi | |
| Z24 2dr Coupe 3.1L 6cyl 5M · FWD MPG 17 / 26Range 231 / 354 mi | 3.1L 6cyl 5M | FWD | 13.6 gal51 L | 17 / 26 | 231 / 354 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 Chevrolet Cavalier 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 26 MPG, a full 13.6-gallon tank covers about 354 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 13.6 | 449 | 299 |
| 3/4 | 10.2 | 337 | 224 |
| 1/2 | 6.8 | 224 | 150 |
| 1/4 | 3.4 | 112 | 75 |
| 1/8 | 1.7 | 56 | 37 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 577 gallons, roughly 42 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
- 20–26 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 342–444 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
$58.07 to fill the 13.6-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.6 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $58.07 | $43.55 |
By region, 13.6-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $54.67 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $58.07 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $50.32 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $60.66 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $73.71 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $80.10 |
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
- 13.6-gallon tank$58.07
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,463
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Cavalier tank size in other years
1990 is the first Cavalier model year we list.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 Cavalier | 15.2 gal | 502 mi |
| 1994 Cavalier | 15.2 gal | 502 mi |
| 1993 Cavalier | 15.2 gal | 502 mi |
| 1992 Cavalier | 15.2 gal | 502 mi |
| 1991 Cavalier | 13.6 gal | 435 mi |
| 1990 Cavalier | 13.6 gal | 449 mi |
1990 Chevrolet Cavalier vs similar 1990 coupes
At 13.6 gallons, the Cavalier's largest tank ranks second of the four 1990 coupes compared here. The Mazda MX-6 carries the most (15.9 gal) and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais the least (13.6 gal).
| 1990 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-6 | 15.9 gal | 445 mi |
| Chevrolet Cavalier | 13.6 gal | 449 mi |
| Buick Skylark | 13.6 gal | 394 mi |
| Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais | 13.6 gal | 408 mi |
Other 1990 coupes of a similar size, one model per brand.
1990 Chevrolet Cavalier fuel pump and gauge parts
These are the part numbers the makers list for the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier. Check the fuel system recalls first: recall repairs are free.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier holds 13.6 gallons (51 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier gas tank hold?
The 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier tank holds 51 liters, or 13.6 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier go on a full tank?
About 354–449 miles on the highway and 231–299 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 Chevrolet Cavalier go on a quarter tank?
About 112 highway miles or 75 in town from the 13.6-gallon tank, which has roughly 3.4 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 13.6-gallon tank from empty costs $58.07. It ranges from $50.32 in the Gulf Coast to $80.10 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier?
About 84 pounds for the 13.6-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier have a bigger gas tank than the Buick Skylark?
No, they match: both top out at 13.6 gallons in 1990.
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.