1996 Nissan Maxima Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
18.5gal · 70 L
The 1996 Nissan Maxima has a fuel tank capacity of 18.5 gallons (70 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 463–481 highway miles or 333–352 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
18.5 gal · Smaller than 52% of 1996 models we list.
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1996 Nissan Maxima 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLE 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 18 / 26Range 333 / 481 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | FWD | 18.5 gal70 L | 18 / 26 | 333 / 481 mi | |
| GXE 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 5M · FWD MPG 19 / 25Range 352 / 463 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 5M | FWD | 18.5 gal70 L | 19 / 25 | 352 / 463 mi | |
| SE 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 5M · FWD MPG 19 / 25Range 352 / 463 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 5M | FWD | 18.5 gal70 L | 19 / 25 | 352 / 463 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 1996 Nissan Maxima 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 21 MPG, a full 18.5-gallon tank covers about 389 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 18.5 | 463 | 352 |
| 3/4 | 13.9 | 347 | 264 |
| 1/2 | 9.3 | 231 | 176 |
| 1/4 | 4.6 | 116 | 88 |
| 1/8 | 2.3 | 58 | 44 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 714 gallons, roughly 39 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 24.2 MPG in the Maxima (25 drivers), about 448 miles on a full 18.5-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
- 21 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 423 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1996 Nissan Maxima
$78.99 to fill the 18.5-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.5 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $78.99 | $59.25 |
By region, 18.5-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $74.37 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $78.99 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $68.45 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $82.51 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $100.27 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $108.96 |
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
- 18.5-gallon tank$78.99
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,050
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Maxima tank size in other years
The 1996 Maxima uses the same 18.5 gal tank as every Maxima since 1990.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 463 mi |
| 2000 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 481 mi |
| 1999 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 481 mi |
| 1998 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 481 mi |
| 1997 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 481 mi |
| 1996 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 481 mi |
| 1995 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 481 mi |
| 1994 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 444 mi |
| 1993 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 444 mi |
| 1992 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 444 mi |
| 1991 Maxima | 18.5 gal | 444 mi |
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1996 Nissan Maxima vs similar 1996 sedans
The Maxima has the largest tank of the seven 1996 sedans compared here, 18.5 gallons against 18.5 for the Toyota Camry.
| 1996 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Maxima | 18.5 gal | 481 mi |
| Toyota Camry | 18.5 gal | 518 mi |
| Volkswagen Passat | 18.5 gal | 759 mi |
| Plymouth Breeze | 16.0 gal | 528 mi |
| Dodge Stratus | 16.0 gal | 528 mi |
| Chrysler Cirrus | 16.0 gal | 416 mi |
| Mazda 626 | 15.9 gal | 493 mi |
Other 1996 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
1996 Nissan Maxima fuel pump and gauge parts
These are the part numbers the makers list for the 1996 Nissan Maxima. Check the fuel system recalls first: recall repairs are free.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1996 Nissan Maxima?
The 1996 Nissan Maxima holds 18.5 gallons (70 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 1996 Nissan Maxima gas tank hold?
The 1996 Nissan Maxima tank holds 70 liters, or 18.5 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 1996 Nissan Maxima go on a full tank?
About 463–481 miles on the highway and 333–352 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 1996 Nissan Maxima go on a quarter tank?
About 116 highway miles or 88 in town from the 18.5-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.6 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 1996 Nissan Maxima really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 24.2 MPG in the 1996 Nissan Maxima (25 drivers), which works out to about 448 miles on a full 18.5-gallon tank.
What gas does the 1996 Nissan Maxima take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 1996 Nissan Maxima?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 18.5-gallon tank from empty costs $78.99. It ranges from $68.45 in the Gulf Coast to $108.96 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1996 Nissan Maxima?
About 115 pounds for the 18.5-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 1996 Nissan Maxima have a bigger gas tank than the Toyota Camry?
No, they match: both top out at 18.5 gallons in 1996.
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).
- 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.