1998 Chevrolet Malibu Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
15.0gal · 57 L
The 1998 Chevrolet Malibu has a fuel tank capacity of 15.0 gallons (57 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 405–450 highway miles or 255–300 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
15.0 gal · Smaller than 84% of 1998 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
1998 Chevrolet Malibu fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Engine
- no difference
All 2 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan 2.4L 4cyl 4A · FWD MPG 20 / 30Range 300 / 450 mi | 2.4L 4cyl 4A | FWD | 15.0 gal57 L | 20 / 30 | 300 / 450 mi | |
| LS 4dr Sedan 3.1L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 27Range 255 / 405 mi | 3.1L 6cyl 4A | FWD | 15.0 gal57 L | 17 / 27 | 255 / 405 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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu 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 24 MPG, a full 15.0-gallon tank covers about 360 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 15.0 | 450 | 300 |
| 3/4 | 11.3 | 338 | 225 |
| 1/2 | 7.5 | 225 | 150 |
| 1/4 | 3.8 | 113 | 75 |
| 1/8 | 1.9 | 56 | 38 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 625 gallons, roughly 42 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 24.5 MPG in the Malibu (9 drivers), about 368 miles on a full 15.0-gallon tank.
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
- 21–24 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 370–423 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
$64.05 to fill the 15.0-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.0 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $64.05 | $48.04 |
By region, 15.0-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $60.30 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $64.05 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $55.50 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $66.90 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $81.30 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $88.35 |
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
- 15.0-gallon tank$64.05
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,669
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Malibu tank size in other years
The 1998 Malibu uses the same 15.0 gal tank as the 1997 model.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 Malibu | 14.1 gal | 367 mi |
| 2002 Malibu | 14.3 gal | 372 mi |
| 2001 Malibu | 14.8 gal | 385 mi |
| 2000 Malibu | 15.0 gal | 405 mi |
| 1999 Malibu | 15.0 gal | 420 mi |
| 1998 Malibu | 15.0 gal | 450 mi |
| 1997 Malibu | 15.0 gal | 390 mi |
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1998 Chevrolet Malibu vs similar 1998 sedans
The Malibu has the smallest tank of the seven 1998 sedans compared here: 15.0 gallons, against 18.5 for the Toyota Camry.
| 1998 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry | 18.5 gal | 537 mi |
| Nissan Maxima | 18.5 gal | 481 mi |
| Hyundai Sonata | 17.2 gal | 430 mi |
| Honda Accord | 17.1 gal | 479 mi |
| Chrysler Cirrus | 16.0 gal | 400 mi |
| Oldsmobile Cutlass | 15.2 gal | 410 mi |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 15.0 gal | 450 mi |
Other 1998 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system recalls
None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu involve the fuel system.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 1998 Chevrolet Malibu holds 15.0 gallons (57 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu gas tank hold?
The 1998 Chevrolet Malibu tank holds 57 liters, or 15.0 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu go on a full tank?
About 405–450 miles on the highway and 255–300 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 Chevrolet Malibu go on a quarter tank?
About 113 highway miles or 75 in town from the 15.0-gallon tank, which has roughly 3.8 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 24.5 MPG in the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu (9 drivers), which works out to about 368 miles on a full 15.0-gallon tank.
What gas does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 15.0-gallon tank from empty costs $64.05. It ranges from $55.50 in the Gulf Coast to $88.35 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
About 93 pounds for the 15.0-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu have a bigger gas tank than the Oldsmobile Cutlass?
No. The 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass holds up to 15.2 gallons; the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu holds up to 15.0.
Has the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu 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 (Chevrolet fuel system recalls).
- Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.