1997 Mazda Protege Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
14.5gal · 55 L
The 1997 Mazda Protege has a fuel tank capacity of 14.5 gallons (55 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 421–479 highway miles or 334–377 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
14.5 gal · Smaller than 89% 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 Mazda Protege fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Engine
- no difference
All 3 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DX 4dr Sedan 1.5L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 26 / 33Range 377 / 479 mi | 1.5L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 14.5 gal55 L | 26 / 33 | 377 / 479 mi | |
| ES 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 23 / 29Range 334 / 421 mi | 1.8L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 14.5 gal55 L | 23 / 29 | 334 / 421 mi | |
| LX 4dr Sedan 1.5L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 26 / 33Range 377 / 479 mi | 1.5L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 14.5 gal55 L | 26 / 33 | 377 / 479 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 Mazda Protege 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 29 MPG, a full 14.5-gallon tank covers about 421 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 14.5 | 479 | 377 |
| 3/4 | 10.9 | 359 | 283 |
| 1/2 | 7.3 | 239 | 189 |
| 1/4 | 3.6 | 120 | 94 |
| 1/8 | 1.8 | 60 | 47 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 517 gallons, roughly 36 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 34 MPG in the Protege (6 drivers), about 493 miles on a full 14.5-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
- 25–29 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 306–355 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1997 Mazda Protege
$61.91 to fill the 14.5-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.5 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $61.91 | $46.44 |
By region, 14.5-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $58.29 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $61.91 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $53.65 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $64.67 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $78.59 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $85.41 |
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
- 14.5-gallon tank$61.91
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,209
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Protege tank size in other years
The 1997 Protege uses the same 14.5 gal tank as every Protege since 1992.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Protege | 14.5 gal | 406 mi |
| 2001 Protege | 13.2–14.5 gal | 409 mi |
| 2000 Protege | 13.2 gal | 409 mi |
| 1999 Protege | 13.2 gal | 409 mi |
| 1998 Protege | 14.5 gal | 479 mi |
| 1997 Protege | 14.5 gal | 479 mi |
| 1996 Protege | 14.5 gal | 508 mi |
| 1995 Protege | 14.5 gal | 508 mi |
| 1994 Protege | 14.5 gal | 479 mi |
| 1993 Protege | 14.5 gal | 479 mi |
| 1992 Protege | 14.5 gal | 479 mi |
1997 Mazda Protege vs similar 1997 sedans
The Protege has the largest tank of the six 1997 sedans compared here, 14.5 gallons against 14.5 for the Volkswagen Jetta.
| 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 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
1997 Mazda Protege fuel system recalls
None of the 1 recall NHTSA lists for the 1997 Mazda Protege involve the fuel system.
1997 Mazda Protege fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 1997 Mazda Protege, 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 Mazda Protege?
The 1997 Mazda Protege holds 14.5 gallons (55 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 1997 Mazda Protege gas tank hold?
The 1997 Mazda Protege tank holds 55 liters, or 14.5 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 1997 Mazda Protege go on a full tank?
About 421–479 miles on the highway and 334–377 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 Mazda Protege go on a quarter tank?
About 120 highway miles or 94 in town from the 14.5-gallon tank, which has roughly 3.6 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 1997 Mazda Protege really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 34 MPG in the 1997 Mazda Protege (6 drivers), which works out to about 493 miles on a full 14.5-gallon tank.
What gas does the 1997 Mazda Protege take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 1997 Mazda Protege?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 14.5-gallon tank from empty costs $61.91. It ranges from $53.65 in the Gulf Coast to $85.41 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1997 Mazda Protege?
About 90 pounds for the 14.5-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 1997 Mazda Protege have a bigger gas tank than the Ford Escort?
Yes. The 1997 Mazda Protege holds up to 14.5 gallons; the 1997 Ford Escort holds up to 12.7.
Has the 1997 Mazda Protege had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 1 recall NHTSA lists for the 1997 Mazda Protege 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 (Mazda 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.