2005 Ford Explorer Gas Tank Size and Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
22.5gal · 85 L
The 2005 Ford Explorer has a fuel tank capacity of 22.5 gallons (85 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 383–428 highway miles or 293–315 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
22.5 gal · Bigger than 67% of 2005 models we list.
Listed separately: 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (22.5 gal).
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
2005 Ford Explorer fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Drive
- no difference
- Engine
- no difference
All 20 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 405 mi | |
| Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV 4.6L 8cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 17Range 293 / 383 mi | 4.6L 8cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 17 | 293 / 383 mi | |
| Eddie Bauer Rwd 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 14 / 19Range 315 / 428 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 14 / 19 | 315 / 428 mi | |
| Eddie Bauer Rwd 4dr SUV 4.6L 8cyl 5A · RWD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.6L 8cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 405 mi | |
| Limited 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 405 mi | |
| Limited 4WD 4dr SUV 4.6L 8cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 17Range 293 / 383 mi | 4.6L 8cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 17 | 293 / 383 mi | |
| Limited Rwd 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 14 / 19Range 315 / 428 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 14 / 19 | 315 / 428 mi | |
| Limited Rwd 4dr SUV 4.6L 8cyl 5A · RWD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.6L 8cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 405 mi | |
| XLS 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 405 mi | |
| XLS Rwd 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 14 / 19Range 315 / 428 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 14 / 19 | 315 / 428 mi | |
| XLS Sport 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 405 mi | |
| XLS Sport Rwd 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 14 / 19Range 315 / 428 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 14 / 19 | 315 / 428 mi | |
| XLT 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 405 mi | |
| XLT 4WD 4dr SUV 4.6L 8cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 17Range 293 / 383 mi | 4.6L 8cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 17 | 293 / 383 mi | |
| XLT Rwd 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 14 / 19Range 315 / 428 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 14 / 19 | 315 / 428 mi | |
| XLT Rwd 4dr SUV 4.6L 8cyl 5A · RWD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.6L 8cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 405 mi | |
| XLT Sport 4WD 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 405 mi | |
| XLT Sport 4WD 4dr SUV 4.6L 8cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 13 / 17Range 293 / 383 mi | 4.6L 8cyl 5A | 4WD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 17 | 293 / 383 mi | |
| XLT Sport Rwd 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5A · RWD MPG 14 / 19Range 315 / 428 mi | 4.0L 6cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 14 / 19 | 315 / 428 mi | |
| XLT Sport Rwd 4dr SUV 4.6L 8cyl 5A · RWD MPG 13 / 18Range 293 / 405 mi | 4.6L 8cyl 5A | RWD | 22.5 gal85 L | 13 / 18 | 293 / 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 2005 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 15 MPG, a full 22.5-gallon tank covers about 338 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 22.5 | 405 | 293 |
| 3/4 | 16.9 | 304 | 219 |
| 1/2 | 11.3 | 203 | 146 |
| 1/4 | 5.6 | 101 | 73 |
| 1/8 | 2.8 | 51 | 37 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 1,000 gallons, roughly 44 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.5 MPG in the Explorer (12 drivers), about 371 miles on a full 22.5-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
- 14–16 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 555–635 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings ↗
What it costs to fill up a 2005 Ford Explorer
$96.07 to fill the 22.5-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.5 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $96.07 | $72.06 |
By region, 22.5-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $90.45 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $96.07 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $83.25 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $100.35 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $121.95 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $132.53 |
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
- 22.5-gallon tank$96.07
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$4,270
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 2005 Explorer uses the same 22.5 gal tank as every Explorer since 2002.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 450 mi |
| 2009 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 473 mi |
| 2008 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 450 mi |
| 2007 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 450 mi |
| 2006 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 428 mi |
| 2005 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 428 mi |
| 2004 Explorer | 22.5 gal | 450 mi |
| 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 |
- 2027
- 2026
- 2025
- 2024
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- 1991
2005 Ford Explorer vs similar 2005 SUVs
At 22.5 gallons, the Explorer's largest tank ranks second of the seven 2005 SUVs compared here. The Toyota 4Runner carries the most (23.0 gal) and the Honda Pilot the least (20.4 gal).
| 2005 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota 4Runner | 23.0 gal | 460 mi |
| Ford Explorer | 22.5 gal | 428 mi |
| Mercury Mountaineer | 22.5 gal | 428 mi |
| GMC Envoy | 22.0 gal | 440 mi |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | 22.0 gal | 440 mi |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 21.1 gal | 443 mi |
| Honda Pilot | 20.4 gal | 408 mi |
Picked by body style and size: other 2005 SUVs within about 5% of the Explorer's length and 15% of its curb weight, one model per brand.
2005 Ford Explorer fuel pump and gauge parts
These are the part numbers the makers list for the 2005 Ford Explorer. Check NHTSA for an open recall first: recall repairs are free.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2005 Ford Explorer?
The 2005 Ford Explorer holds 22.5 gallons (85 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2005 Ford Explorer gas tank hold?
The 2005 Ford Explorer tank holds 85 liters, or 22.5 gallons in US gallons.
Does 4WD change the 2005 Ford Explorer gas tank?
No. 4WD and RWD versions of the 2005 Ford Explorer use the same 22.5 gal tank.
How far can a 2005 Ford Explorer go on a full tank?
About 383–428 miles on the highway and 293–315 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 2005 Ford Explorer go on a quarter tank?
About 101 highway miles or 73 in town from the 22.5-gallon tank, which has roughly 5.6 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 2005 Ford Explorer really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.5 MPG in the 2005 Ford Explorer (12 drivers), which works out to about 371 miles on a full 22.5-gallon tank.
What gas does the 2005 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 2005 Ford Explorer?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 22.5-gallon tank from empty costs $96.07. It ranges from $83.25 in the Gulf Coast to $132.53 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2005 Ford Explorer?
About 140 pounds for the 22.5-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2005 Ford Explorer have a bigger gas tank than the Honda Pilot?
Yes. The 2005 Ford Explorer holds up to 22.5 gallons; the 2005 Honda Pilot holds up to 20.4.
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.
- 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.