1997 Ford Escort Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
12.7gal · 48 L
The 1997 Ford Escort has a fuel tank capacity of 12.7 gallons (48 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 432 highway miles or 305 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
12.7 gal · Smaller than 95% of 1997 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
1997 Ford Escort fuel tank capacity by trim
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 24 / 34Range 305 / 432 mi | 2.0L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 12.7 gal48 L | 24 / 34 | 305 / 432 mi | |
| LX 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 24 / 34Range 305 / 432 mi | 2.0L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 12.7 gal48 L | 24 / 34 | 305 / 432 mi | |
| LX 4dr Wagon 2.0L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 24 / 34Range 305 / 432 mi | 2.0L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 12.7 gal48 L | 24 / 34 | 305 / 432 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 1997 Ford Escort 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 28 MPG, a full 12.7-gallon tank covers about 356 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 12.7 | 432 | 305 |
| 3/4 | 9.5 | 324 | 229 |
| 1/2 | 6.4 | 216 | 152 |
| 1/4 | 3.2 | 108 | 76 |
| 1/8 | 1.6 | 54 | 38 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 536 gallons, roughly 42 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 34.3 MPG in the Escort (23 drivers), about 436 miles on a full 12.7-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
- 28 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 317 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1997 Ford Escort
$54.23 to fill the 12.7-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.7 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $54.23 | $40.67 |
By region, 12.7-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $51.05 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $54.23 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $46.99 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $56.64 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $68.83 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $74.80 |
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
- 12.7-gallon tank$54.23
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,287
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Escort tank size in other years
The tank changed for 1997: 12.7 gal, against 11.9–13.2 gal on the 1996 Escort.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Escort | 12.7–12.8 gal | 406 mi |
| 2001 Escort | 12.8 gal | 397 mi |
| 2000 Escort | 12.7–12.8 gal | 406 mi |
| 1999 Escort | 12.8 gal | 435 mi |
| 1998 Escort | 12.8 gal | 435 mi |
| 1997 Escort | 12.7 gal | 432 mi |
| 1996 Escort | 11.9–13.2 gal | 417 mi |
| 1995 Escort | 11.9–13.2 gal | 405 mi |
| 1994 Escort | 11.9 gal | 405 mi |
| 1993 Escort | 11.9–13.2 gal | 417 mi |
| 1992 Escort | 11.9–13.2 gal | 428 mi |
1997 Ford Escort vs similar 1997 hatchbacks
At 12.7 gallons, the Escort's largest tank ranks third of the six 1997 hatchbacks compared here. The Mazda Protege carries the most (14.5 gal) and the Saturn S-Series the least (12.2 gal).
| 1997 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda Protege | 14.5 gal | 479 mi |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 14.5 gal | 638 mi |
| Ford Escort | 12.7 gal | 432 mi |
| Mercury Tracer | 12.7 gal | 432 mi |
| Kia Sephia | 12.7 gal | 368 mi |
| Saturn S-Series | 12.2 gal | 439 mi |
Other 1997 hatchbacks of a similar size, one model per brand.
1997 Ford Escort fuel system recalls
None of the 1 recall NHTSA lists for the 1997 Ford Escort involve the fuel system.
1997 Ford Escort fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 1997 Ford Escort, 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 1997 Ford Escort?
The 1997 Ford Escort holds 12.7 gallons (48 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 1997 Ford Escort gas tank hold?
The 1997 Ford Escort tank holds 48 liters, or 12.7 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 1997 Ford Escort go on a full tank?
About 432 miles on the highway and 305 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 Escort go on a quarter tank?
About 108 highway miles or 76 in town from the 12.7-gallon tank, which has roughly 3.2 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 1997 Ford Escort really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 34.3 MPG in the 1997 Ford Escort (23 drivers), which works out to about 436 miles on a full 12.7-gallon tank.
What gas does the 1997 Ford Escort 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 Escort?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 12.7-gallon tank from empty costs $54.23. It ranges from $46.99 in the Gulf Coast to $74.80 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1997 Ford Escort?
About 79 pounds for the 12.7-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 1997 Ford Escort have a bigger gas tank than the Mercury Tracer?
No, they match: both top out at 12.7 gallons in 1997.
Has the 1997 Ford Escort had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 1 recall NHTSA lists for the 1997 Ford Escort 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 (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.