Can a Vehicle’s Fuel Tank Capacity Be Increased? (Explained)

Nowadays, car owners want to drive on one full tank of fuel for as long as possible. If that’s your mission, you might wonder what action you can take to increase the capacity of your tank.

You may have heard something about increasing fuel capacity or installing larger or additional gas tanks.

Here’s some information to help you understand your options.

Can You Increase the Fuel Tank Capacity on Your Vehicle?

You can increase your fuel tank’s capacity, but you’ll need to do one of three things: alter your existing tank, add a tank, or swap your fuel tank for a larger one if possible. If you’re attempting to reduce the number of visits to the gas station, you can try improving your fuel efficiency first.

Let’s dive into how it can be done practically.

Let’s start with regular cars.

Can You Install Bigger Gas Tanks on Regular Cars?

Yes, it’s possible to install more giant tanks on small or regular cars.

It’s not possible with every model because of space constraints, but you can do it on quite a few models.

You’ll need to examine the space you have where the current gas tank is and whether the shape of a new tank might prevent you from doing a successful installation.

You must also consider whether installing an aftermarket gas tank will pose any risks to other automotive components.

The issue is whether it will be practical for you and the model car you have. First, the labor may be intensive to change the tank you already have.

Secondly, the new tank may add weight to the vehicle, causing it to work harder than it originally had to work.

Only you know if you should push your car’s engine any further or leave well enough alone.

Installing a new fuel tank in your vehicle is no easy task. Some cars have much more complex placements than others do. Therefore, you’ll have to study the matter to know if you can do it yourself.

Otherwise, you’ll need to hire a seasoned expert to change the gas tank for you.

These are the general steps to changing a vehicle’s gas tank:

#1 Drain Your Fuel

The first thing you must do is remove all the fuel from your vehicle.

Depending on the way your car is set up, you might find a reliable drain cock that will allow you to release the fuel neatly into a container.

Otherwise, you’ll need to drain it by disconnecting a fuel line.

#2 Disconnect Your Fuel Lines

Remove all the fuel lines that connect to the gas tank.

Most tanks have several of them, and they all need to get disconnected.

#3 Drop Your Suspension

You might need to drop your suspension to change your fuel tank.

In that case, you’ll probably need a floor jack and something you can use to disconnect your shock absorbers.

#4 Drop the Fuel Tank

You should see two metal straps holding your fuel tank up in its place.

You’ll need to disconnect those to release the tank so that you can replace it with a bigger tank.

Can You Install Bigger Gas Tanks on Pickup Trucks?

It’s entirely possible to do so. In fact, certain companies sell a vast assortment of larger fuel tanks for consumers who want a greater capacity.

Diesel truck owners can take advantage of spare-tire cavity fuel systems like the Titan model.

Titan’s system is a 30-gallon tank that fits in the underbody of the pickup and doesn’t disrupt its storage capacity.

The gas tank is easy for an average vehicle owner to install as well, as there’s no cutting, drilling, welding, or any other complex work involved.

Most vehicle owners can install the system themselves using the instructions. However, help is available from seasoned installers if anyone has an issue trying to connect his or her unit.

The above-mentioned tank isn’t the only one Titan sells. They offer tanks with capacities of 52 gallons and more. Transfer Flow offers a broad range of large tanks for regular and diesel trucks as well. However, not all of them are as easy to install as the item above.

Finding the right one requires patience and research.

What About SUVs and Minivans?

SUVs and minivans have about the same likelihood of maintaining a bigger tank than other cars do.

SUVs do consume more fuel due to their sheer size and extra weight.

You can do it as long as there’s enough room to insert a larger tank, and the labor involved isn’t an issue for you.

We have an article answering all your questions about gas tanks and ranges of SUVs.

Can You Install an EXTRA Gas Tank on vehicles?

It’s possible to put an extra gas tank in a car.

However, auxiliary fuel tanks usually go on trucks and larger vehicles. They are additional gas tanks that connect to the original gas tanks.

These items can be quite convenient if you are a traveler who likes to go on extremely distant trips.

You can have a special company design a custom auxiliary tank for your vehicle and then have an experienced mechanic install it for you.

You can also install a racing fuel cell and then install a pump and line from your original tank. There’s a way of seeing up where you can flip a switch and fuel up whenever you need to use some of the fuel from the main tank.

How To Increase Your Fuel Efficiency (try this first)

These are some helpful tips for boosting your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and getting the most out of every gallon:

#1 Remove Some of the Weight

Take some time to remove all the dead weight in your car.

Some people store many heavy items in their trunks without realizing how much of a strain it puts on the vehicle.

Thus, you can instantly improve your fuel efficiency by removing some things that are bogging the engine down and making it work harder.

#2 Take the Highway

Taking the highway instead of city streets to your destination is another excellent way to improve fuel efficiency.

You’ll experience fewer start-and-stop incidents, which commonly occur in the city. Consistency will be much friendlier to your car.

#3 Baby Your Car When Driving

There’s no reason to heavy-foot your car and push the engine to its limits.

Your vehicle will get the message even if you use a light foot weight and increase the pressure over time.

#4 Get Your Vehicle Tuned Up

One of the most productive ways to increase fuel efficiency is to get regular tune-ups on your vehicle.

Your spark plugs and ignition coils might get changed during such a service, and it can significantly affect how well your car manages the fuel it has.

#5 Take Advantage of the Overdrive Gear

Another trick that might help you preserve your fuel is putting your car in overdrive every now and then.

Overdrive is rumored to be the most fuel-efficient gear you can use.

#6 Change Your Air and Fuel Filters

Air and fuel filters are the most common culprits for poor fuel efficiency.

They get dirt trapped inside them and prevent vehicles from operating appropriately. These two items are on the inexpensive end of the spectrum.

Thus, you may want to try changing them before you do another action that might be more of a monetary sacrifice.

#7 Cut Down Your AC Usage

Using the air conditioning unit puts a massive strain on the engine, which makes it work hard, which causes it to consume more fuel. You’ll notice that your gas depletes faster during the summer months when you constantly run the AC.

Try shutting the AC off and opening the windows the next time it’s hot.

Alternatively, you can buy a smoothie and cool your entire body down immediately.

Those are a few ways to give yourself a few extra miles when driving your car. If you’re genuinely looking for a much greater fuel capacity, then you can try one of the methods mentioned.

What’s the Biggest Gas Tank a Car Can have?

The max size of the gas tank will greatly depend on the size of the vehicle and the engine, but an 82-gallon take isn’t unheard of.

The problem with putting gigantic gas tanks on cars and trucks is that these tanks add extra weight to the vehicle.

Thus, they create extra work for the car, even if the installation processes are feasible and successful. Pulling excess weight requires the car to consume more fuel. Therefore, what can end up happening is a cancellation of the benefit of installing a larger fuel tank.

These are some common vehicles with gas tanks on the larger side:

  • Dodge Ram 1500: 23-gallon tank
  • Dodge Durango: 24.6-gallon tank
  • Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD: 36-gallon tank
  • Ford Expedition MAX: 27.8 gallons
  • Ford F-350 Super Duty CrewMax (Diesel): 48 gallons

Most of the vehicles with the largest tanks are eight-cylinder models with a hefty amount of horsepower.

Therefore, you’ll need to consider all aspects of your current vehicle while deciding whether you should increase the fuel capacity in your vehicle. 

It might be a wise idea for you, and it could be challenging.

You should now have some helpful information about increasing your vehicle’s fuel capacity.

Sources

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