2017 Ford Explorer Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
18.6gal · 70 L
The 2017 Ford Explorer has a fuel tank capacity of 18.6 gallons (70 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 409–502 highway miles or 298–353 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
18.6 gal · Bigger than 57% of 2017 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
2017 Ford Explorer fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Powertrain
- no difference
- Drive
- no difference
- Engine
- no difference
All 8 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | Fuel | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 6A · FWD · Flex-fuel (gas or E85) MPG 17 / 24Range 316 / 446 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A Flex-fuel | FWD | 18.6 gal70 L | Flex-fuelgas or E85 | 17 / 24 | 316 / 446 mi |
| 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl 6A · AWD · Flex-fuel (gas or E85) MPG 16 / 23Range 298 / 428 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A Flex-fuel | AWD | 18.6 gal70 L | Flex-fuelgas or E85 | 16 / 23 | 298 / 428 mi |
| Limited 4dr SUV 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 19 / 27Range 353 / 502 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A | FWD | 18.6 gal70 L | Regular | 19 / 27 | 353 / 502 mi |
| Limited 4dr SUV AWD 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A · AWD · Regular MPG 18 / 25Range 335 / 465 mi | 2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A | AWD | 18.6 gal70 L | Regular | 18 / 25 | 335 / 465 mi |
| Platinum 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A · AWD · Regular MPG 16 / 22Range 298 / 409 mi | 3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A | AWD | 18.6 gal70 L | Regular | 16 / 22 | 298 / 409 mi |
| Sport 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A · AWD · Regular MPG 16 / 22Range 298 / 409 mi | 3.5L 6cyl Turbo 6A | AWD | 18.6 gal70 L | Regular | 16 / 22 | 298 / 409 mi |
| XLT 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 6A · FWD · Flex-fuel (gas or E85) MPG 17 / 24Range 316 / 446 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A Flex-fuel | FWD | 18.6 gal70 L | Flex-fuelgas or E85 | 17 / 24 | 316 / 446 mi |
| XLT 4dr SUV AWD 3.5L 6cyl 6A · AWD · Flex-fuel (gas or E85) MPG 16 / 23Range 298 / 428 mi | 3.5L 6cyl 6A Flex-fuel | AWD | 18.6 gal70 L | Flex-fuelgas or E85 | 16 / 23 | 298 / 428 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 2017 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 20 MPG, a full 18.6-gallon tank covers about 372 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 18.6 | 446 | 316 |
| 3/4 | 14.0 | 335 | 237 |
| 1/2 | 9.3 | 223 | 158 |
| 1/4 | 4.7 | 112 | 79 |
| 1/8 | 2.3 | 56 | 40 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 750 gallons, roughly 40 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.8 MPG in the Explorer (6 drivers), about 312 miles on a full 18.6-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
- 18–22 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 408–494 g/mi
- EPA greenhouse score
- 3–5 of 10
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2017 Ford Explorer
$79.42 to fill the 18.6-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.6 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $79.42 | $59.57 |
| 18.6 gal | E85 (flex-fuel trims) | $3.31 | $61.57 | $46.17 |
By region, 18.6-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $74.77 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $79.42 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $68.82 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $82.96 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $100.81 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $109.55 |
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
- 18.6-gallon tank$79.42
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,202
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 2017 Explorer uses the same 18.6 gal tank as every Explorer since 2011.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Explorer | 17.9–20.2 gal | 525 mi |
| 2021 Explorer | 17.9–20.2 gal | 525 mi |
| 2020 Explorer | 17.9–20.2 gal | 522 mi |
| 2019 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 502 mi |
| 2018 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 502 mi |
| 2017 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 502 mi |
| 2016 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 446 mi |
| 2015 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 446 mi |
| 2014 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 446 mi |
| 2013 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 446 mi |
| 2012 Explorer | 18.6 gal | 465 mi |
- 2027
- 2026
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
- 1995
- 1994
- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
2017 Ford Explorer vs similar 2017 SUVs
The Explorer has the smallest tank of the seven 2017 SUVs compared here: 18.6 gallons, against 26.4 for the Volkswagen Touareg.
| 2017 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Touareg | 26.4 gal | 607 mi |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 24.6 gal | 640 mi |
| Toyota 4Runner | 23.0 gal | 483 mi |
| Buick Enclave | 22.0 gal | 484 mi |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 22.0 gal | 484 mi |
| GMC Acadia Limited | 22.0 gal | 484 mi |
| Ford Explorer | 18.6 gal | 502 mi |
Other 2017 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.
2017 Ford Explorer fuel system recalls
None of the 14 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2017 Ford Explorer involve the fuel system.
2017 Ford Explorer fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2017 Ford Explorer, 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 2017 Ford Explorer?
The 2017 Ford Explorer holds 18.6 gallons (70 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2017 Ford Explorer gas tank hold?
The 2017 Ford Explorer tank holds 70 liters, or 18.6 gallons in US gallons.
Does the 2017 Ford Explorer tank change with the powertrain?
No. Flex-fuel (E85) and Gas versions of the 2017 Ford Explorer use the same 18.6 gal tank.
Does AWD change the 2017 Ford Explorer gas tank?
No. AWD and FWD versions of the 2017 Ford Explorer use the same 18.6 gal tank.
How far can a 2017 Ford Explorer go on a full tank?
About 409–502 miles on the highway and 298–353 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 2017 Ford Explorer go on a quarter tank?
About 112 highway miles or 79 in town from the 18.6-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.7 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 2017 Ford Explorer really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.8 MPG in the 2017 Ford Explorer (6 drivers), which works out to about 312 miles on a full 18.6-gallon tank.
What gas does the 2017 Ford Explorer take?
Flex-fuel (unleaded/E85), or Regular unleaded, depending on the engine. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2017 Ford Explorer?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 18.6-gallon tank from empty costs $79.42. It ranges from $68.82 in the Gulf Coast to $109.55 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2017 Ford Explorer?
About 115 pounds for the 18.6-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2017 Ford Explorer have a bigger gas tank than the Buick Enclave?
No. The 2017 Buick Enclave holds up to 22.0 gallons; the 2017 Ford Explorer holds up to 18.6.
Has the 2017 Ford Explorer had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 14 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2017 Ford Explorer 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.