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1997 Ford E-150 Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

Van 4 trims listed 1 fuel-system recall ← 1996 1998 →

Fuel tank capacity

35.0gal · 132 L

The 1997 Ford E-150 has a fuel tank capacity of 35.0 gallons (132 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 595–630 highway miles or 420–490 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

35.0 gal · Bigger than 95% of 1997 models we list.

Highway range
595–630 mi
City range
420–490 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
14–15 MPG
EPA size class
Vans

1997 Ford E-150 fuel tank capacity by trim

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
Chateau Club Wagon 3dr Van 4.2L 6cyl 4A · RWD MPG 12 / 17Range 420 / 595 mi 4.2L 6cyl 4A RWD 35.0 gal132 L 12 / 17 420 / 595 mi
Econoline 3dr Cargo Van 4.2L 6cyl 4A · RWD MPG 14 / 18Range 490 / 630 mi 4.2L 6cyl 4A RWD 35.0 gal132 L 14 / 18 490 / 630 mi
XL Club Wagon 3dr Van 4.2L 6cyl 4A · RWD MPG 12 / 17Range 420 / 595 mi 4.2L 6cyl 4A RWD 35.0 gal132 L 12 / 17 420 / 595 mi
XLT Club Wagon 3dr Van 4.2L 6cyl 4A · RWD MPG 12 / 17Range 420 / 595 mi 4.2L 6cyl 4A RWD 35.0 gal132 L 12 / 17 420 / 595 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 1997 Ford E-150 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 14 MPG, a full 35.0-gallon tank covers about 490 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full35.0595420
3/426.3446315
1/217.5298210
1/48.8149105
1/84.47453

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 1,071 gallons, roughly 31 full tanks.

In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 13.6 MPG in the E-150 (6 drivers), about 476 miles on a full 35.0-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
14–15 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
592–635 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings

What it costs to fill up a 1997 Ford E-150

$149.45 to fill the 35.0-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
35.0 galRegular$4.27$149.45$112.09

By region, 35.0-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$140.70
Midwest$4.27$149.45
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$129.50
Rocky Mountain$4.46$156.10
West Coast$5.42$189.70
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$206.15

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

  • 35.0-gallon tank$149.45
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$4,575

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

E-150 tank size in other years

The 1997 E-150 uses the same 35.0 gal tank as every E-150 since 1992.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
1998 E-150 35.0 gal 630 mi
1997 E-150 35.0 gal 630 mi
1996 E-150 35.0 gal 525 mi
1995 E-150 35.0 gal 560 mi
1994 E-150 35.0 gal 525 mi
1993 E-150 35.0 gal 595 mi
1992 E-150 35.0 gal 560 mi
Ford E-150 fuel tank by model yearSmallest tank Larger tank options
199019911992199319941995199619971998
← 1996 Ford E-150 Every E-150 year 1998 Ford E-150 →

1997 Ford E-150 fuel system recalls

NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 1997 Ford E-150, out of 6 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.

Storage · Tank assemblyApr 5, 2001 · NHTSA 01V114000 · Ford Motor Company · 151,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: on certain vans with ambulance prep packages or other severe-duty applications involving operation at or near the gross vehicle weight with frequent twisting of the vehicle body, such as off-road, rough road or speed bump events, the 35 gallon mid-ship fuel tank could develop a crack where it contacts the frame cross member. If the fuel tank cracks, fuel leakage could occur.

Risk and remedy

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and, if cracked, will replace the tank. Insulator pads will be installed on all vehicles to reduce the stress levels in the fuel tank. Owner notification began april 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

All Ford fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1997 Ford E-150?

The 1997 Ford E-150 holds 35.0 gallons (132 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 1997 Ford E-150 gas tank hold?

The 1997 Ford E-150 tank holds 132 liters, or 35.0 gallons in US gallons.

How far can a 1997 Ford E-150 go on a full tank?

About 595–630 miles on the highway and 420–490 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 1997 Ford E-150 go on a quarter tank?

About 149 highway miles or 105 in town from the 35.0-gallon tank, which has roughly 8.8 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

How many miles does a 1997 Ford E-150 really get on a tank?

Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 13.6 MPG in the 1997 Ford E-150 (6 drivers), which works out to about 476 miles on a full 35.0-gallon tank.

What gas does the 1997 Ford E-150 take?

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

How much does it cost to fill up a 1997 Ford E-150?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 35.0-gallon tank from empty costs $149.45. It ranges from $129.50 in the Gulf Coast to $206.15 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1997 Ford E-150?

About 217 pounds for the 35.0-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Has the 1997 Ford E-150 had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 1997 Ford E-150: 01V114000 (storage · tank assembly). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.

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 (Ford 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.

Other 1997 Ford models

Aerostar21.0 gallons Aspire10.0 gallons Contour14.5 gallons Crown Victoria19.0–20.0 gallons E-25035.0 gallons E-35035.0 gallons Escort12.7 gallons Expedition26.0–30.0 gallons Explorer17.5–21.0 gallons F-15024.5–30.0 gallons F-25025.0–37.2 gallons F-35034.7–37.2 gallons