Depending on the model year, the Subaru Outback has an average fuel tank capacity of 16.9 or 18.5 gallons.
Knowing the size of your Subaru’s gas tank might be more important than you think. Whether you’re trying to hack a successful road trip
or just looking for ways to reduce your monthly gas expenses, knowing how many gallons of gas your tank holds can help you stay prepared. If you can’t find your owner’s manual or are looking for extra information, don’t worry: Jerry
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savings, has your back. In this quick guide to the Subaru Outback’s gas tank, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep fuel costs low—then end with some tips for saving on your Outback insurance rate
. 4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers How big is the gas tank on a Subaru Outback?
The size of your Subaru Outback’s gas tank depends on a couple of factors—namely, your vehicle’s model year. Most early Outback models sport a 16.9-gallon gas tank—but newer models have seen an increase in fuel tank capacity to 18.5 gallons.
Simply put, the year your Subaru Outback was made determines the size of its fuel tank:
Subaru Outback models 2008 and older: 16.9 gallons
Subaru Outback models 2009 and newer: 18.5 gallons
How to check your Subaru Outback’s gas tank size
If you’re still not sure of the fuel capacity in your Subaru Outback, there are a few ways to figure out that all-important number for yourself.
Measure the gas tank
Believe it or not, you can actually measure the gas tank yourself—and all you need is a measuring tape and a calculator! Simply multiply your gas tank's width, length, and height, then divide the result by 231 (the number of cubic inches in a gallon). The final result should give you your gas tank’s capacity.
Check your owner’s manual
Alternatively, you can verify the size of your Subaru’s gas tank in the owner’s manual. Look for “fuel tank capacity” or similar phrasing to locate the correct capacity.
Drive till empty, then fill it up
If you’ve got no measuring tape and no manual, you’re not entirely out of luck—you can always drive your Subaru until the fuel gauge hits “E” before filling back up. So while this method won’t give you an exact measurement, it should still help you get a general estimate of the size of your gas tank. Just make sure you don’t drive too long on empty!
How to save on fuel costs in a Subaru Outback
With its all-wheel-drive powertrain and spacious gas tank, the Subaru Outback is a fuel-efficient pick for city or highway driving, with a combined mpg of 29 (or 26 city/33 highway miles per gallon). Of course, with a national average gas price of $3.32 as of August 2022, you could easily find yourself paying over $60 per fuel-up. With efficiency in mind, here are some tips to save on fuel costs in your Subaru Outback:
Keep up with maintenance. The accumulation of wear and tear on your Subaru’s system can cause your fuel economy to dip.
Drive carefully. If you’re “lead-footed” or lean into harsh accelerations, try easing up on the gas pedal now and again. A slower pace can keep your fuel consumption steadier (and lower).
Avoid idling (especially in cold weather). Idling eats up gas for no good reason. Instead, try driving your Subaru gently to warm it up on those chilly winter mornings instead of letting it run.
How to optimize your Subaru Outback’s insurance coverage
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