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1998 Ford Explorer Gas Tank Size and Capacity

SUV 13 trims listed 1 fuel-system recall ← 1997 1999 →

Fuel tank capacity

17.5–21.0gal · 66–79 L

The 1998 Ford Explorer has a fuel tank capacity of 17.5 to 21.0 gallons (66–79 liters), depending on the trim. The most common size is 21.0 gallons, used on 11 trims.

A full tank is good for roughly 315–420 highway miles or 245–315 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

21.0 gal · Bigger than 73% of 1998 models we list.

Highway range
315–420 mi
City range
245–315 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
14–17 MPG
EPA size class
Special Purpose Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Drive
Engine

All 13 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
Sport 2dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 15 / 20Range 263 / 350 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M RWD 17.5 gal66 L 15 / 20 263 / 350 mi
Sport 2dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 14 / 18Range 245 / 315 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M 4WD 17.5 gal66 L 14 / 18 245 / 315 mi
Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl · RWD MPG 14 / 18Range 294 / 378 mi 4.0L 6cyl RWD 21.0 gal79 L 14 / 18 294 / 378 mi
Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 14 / 18Range 294 / 378 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5A 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 14 / 18 294 / 378 mi
Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV AWD 5.0L 8cyl 4A · AWD MPG 12 / 17Range 252 / 357 mi 5.0L 8cyl 4A AWD 21.0 gal79 L 12 / 17 252 / 357 mi
Limited 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl · RWD MPG 14 / 18Range 294 / 378 mi 4.0L 6cyl RWD 21.0 gal79 L 14 / 18 294 / 378 mi
Limited 4dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 14 / 18Range 294 / 378 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5A 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 14 / 18 294 / 378 mi
Limited 4dr SUV AWD 5.0L 8cyl 4A · AWD MPG 12 / 17Range 252 / 357 mi 5.0L 8cyl 4A AWD 21.0 gal79 L 12 / 17 252 / 357 mi
XL 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 15 / 20Range 315 / 420 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M RWD 21.0 gal79 L 15 / 20 315 / 420 mi
XL 4dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 14 / 18Range 294 / 378 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 14 / 18 294 / 378 mi
XLT 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 15 / 20Range 315 / 420 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M RWD 21.0 gal79 L 15 / 20 315 / 420 mi
XLT 4dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 14 / 18Range 294 / 378 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 14 / 18 294 / 378 mi
XLT 4dr SUV AWD 5.0L 8cyl 4A · AWD MPG 12 / 17Range 252 / 357 mi 5.0L 8cyl 4A AWD 21.0 gal79 L 12 / 17 252 / 357 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 Ford Explorer 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 16 MPG, a full 21.0-gallon tank covers about 336 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full21.0378294
3/415.8284221
1/210.5189147
1/45.39574
1/82.64737

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 938 gallons, roughly 45 full tanks.

In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.6 MPG in the Explorer (20 drivers), about 349 miles on a full 21.0-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
14–17 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
523–635 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings ↗

What it costs to fill up a 1998 Ford Explorer

$89.67 to fill the 21.0-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
17.5 galRegular$4.27$74.72$56.04
21.0 galRegular$4.27$89.67$67.25

By region, 21.0-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$84.42
Midwest$4.27$89.67
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$77.70
Rocky Mountain$4.46$93.66
West Coast$5.42$113.82
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$123.69

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

  • 17.5-gallon tank$74.72
  • 21.0-gallon tank$89.67
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$4,003

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

Explorer tank size in other years

The 1998 Explorer uses the same 17.5–21.0 gal tank sizes as every Explorer since 1995.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2003 Explorer 22.5 gal 428 mi
2002 Explorer 22.5 gal 450 mi
2001 Explorer 21.0 gal 420 mi
2000 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 441 mi
1999 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 441 mi
1998 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 420 mi
1997 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 462 mi
1996 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 441 mi
1995 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 441 mi
1994 Explorer 19.0 gal 380 mi
1993 Explorer 19.3 gal 425 mi
Ford Explorer fuel tank by model yearSmallest tank Larger tank options
199119921993199419951996199721.0199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027
← 1997 Ford Explorer Every Explorer year 1999 Ford Explorer →

1998 Ford Explorer vs similar 1998 SUVs

At 21.0 gallons, the Explorer's largest tank ranks fourth of the seven 1998 SUVs compared here. The Dodge Durango carries the most (25.0 gal) and the Oldsmobile Bravada the least (18.0 gal).

1998 modelTankLongest highway range
Dodge Durango 25.0 gal Not rated
Mitsubishi Montero 24.3 gal 437 mi
Honda Passport 21.1 gal 401 mi
Ford Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 420 mi
Mercury Mountaineer 21.0 gal 378 mi
Chevrolet Blazer 18.0–19.0 gal 399 mi
Oldsmobile Bravada 18.0 gal 342 mi

Picked by body style and size: other 1998 SUVs within about 5% of the Explorer's length and 15% of its curb weight, one model per brand.

1998 Ford Explorer fuel system recalls

NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 1998 Ford Explorer, out of 9 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.

Delivery · Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMar 19, 1998 · NHTSA 98V060000 · Ford Motor Company · 320,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line.

Risk and remedy

Risk: The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.

Remedy: Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.

Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ Look up your tank by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1998 Ford Explorer?

The 1998 Ford Explorer holds between 17.5 and 21.0 gallons, depending on the trim. 21.0 gallons is the usual size; the smaller 17.5-gallon tank is on the Sport 2dr SUV.

How many gallons and liters does the 1998 Ford Explorer gas tank hold?

The 1998 Ford Explorer tank holds 66–79 liters, or 17.5–21.0 gallons in US gallons.

Which 1998 Ford Explorer has the biggest gas tank?

The 21.0-gallon tank is on the Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV, Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4WD, Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV AWD and 8 other trims. The smallest tank, 17.5 gallons, is on the Sport 2dr SUV.

Does 4WD change the 1998 Ford Explorer gas tank?

Yes. RWD: 17.5–21.0 gal; 4WD: 17.5–21.0 gal; AWD: 21.0 gal.

How far can a 1998 Ford Explorer go on a full tank?

About 315–420 miles on the highway and 245–315 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 Ford Explorer go on a quarter tank?

About 95 highway miles or 74 in town from the 21.0-gallon tank, which has roughly 5.3 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

How many miles does a 1998 Ford Explorer really get on a tank?

Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.6 MPG in the 1998 Ford Explorer (20 drivers), which works out to about 349 miles on a full 21.0-gallon tank.

What gas does the 1998 Ford Explorer take?

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

How much does it cost to fill up a 1998 Ford Explorer?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 21.0-gallon tank from empty costs $89.67. It ranges from $77.70 in the Gulf Coast to $123.69 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1998 Ford Explorer?

About 130 pounds for the 21.0-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 1998 Ford Explorer have a bigger gas tank than the Oldsmobile Bravada?

Yes. The 1998 Ford Explorer holds up to 21.0 gallons; the 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada holds up to 18.0.

Has the 1998 Ford Explorer had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 1998 Ford Explorer: 98V060000 (delivery · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, cross-checked against a second spec database. 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.
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database.
  • 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 1998 Ford models

Contour14.5 gallons Contour SVT14.5 gallons Crown Victoria19.0 gallons E-15035.0 gallons E-25035.0 gallons E-35035.0 gallons Escort12.8 gallons Expedition26.0–30.0 gallons F-15024.5–30.0 gallons F-25025.0–30.0 gallons Mustang15.7 gallons Mustang SVT Cobra15.4 gallons