Whether you’re looking to buy an ATV or side by side (UTV) or about to go on a long ride, the common question of, “How much gas do ATVs and side-by-sides hold?” usually dawns on many.
Knowing how much fuel your ATV and UTV can hold is an important question to answer and can affect where you can go and if you need to bring extra fuel. Not every place has a refueling station for ATVs and side by sides, so it’s important to know how much gas you can carry and how far you can go on that tank.
How Much Gas Does An ATV Hold?
The amount of gas an ATV can hold depends on what ATV you have and the manufacturer.
Generally speaking, a standard ATV gas tank can hold anywhere from 2 to 7.5 gallons (7.5 to 28.4 liters) of fuel.
For example, a typical sport or utility ATV like the Can-AM OUTLANDER 500 has a fuel capacity of about 5.1 gallons (19.3 liters), whereas a smaller model, such as the Honda TRX 90X, has a fuel tank that holds about 1.7 gallons (6.4 liters). One example of the larger capacity ATVs, you have the Sportsman 6×6 BIG BOSS 570 EPS with a 6.75 gallon (25.5 liters) fuel tank.
Always remember to check your ATV’s specific manual or contact the manufacturer for the most accurate information. This will ensure you’re well-prepared for your rides and adventures. And of course, don’t forget to consider the fuel efficiency of your ATV as well – that is, how far you can ride on a single tank of gas – as this will also impact your refueling needs.
How Much Gas Does A UTV Hold?
Just like with ATVs, the amount of gas a UTV, often known as a side-by-side, can hold depends on its model and manufacturer.
Generally, a UTV can hold between 7.5 to 10 gallons (28.4 to 37.8 liters) of fuel, though some larger models may have gas tanks that hold up to 14 gallons (53 liters) or more.
For example, a popular model such as the Polaris RZR XP 1000 has a fuel capacity of about 9.5 gallons (36 liters), whereas the Can-Am Maverick X3, has a 10.5 gallon (40 liters) fuel capacity.
Just like with ATVs, for the most accurate information, it’s always a good idea to consult your UTV’s specific manual or reach out to the manufacturer. Remember, your vehicle’s fuel efficiency – how far it can travel on a single tank of gas – is an important consideration in planning your trips.
ATV & UTV MPG
Miles Per Gallon (MPG) is a common way to calculate how fuel-efficient a vehicle is – that is, how many miles it can travel per gallon of gas used. It’s important to note, though, that fuel efficiency can vary widely depending on several factors, like the vehicle’s make and model, the terrain, the driver’s habits, and more.
On average, ATVs will do 20 to 40 miles per gallon, though this can vary. Smaller ATVs tend to have better fuel efficiency, while larger, heavier ones with more powerful engines will generally consume more fuel, especially if you ride it hard.
UTVs and side-by-sides, tend to be less fuel-efficient than ATVs due to their larger size and heavier weight. A normal UTV might get between 15 to 30 MPG.
Remember, not every ATV or UTV will have these MPG ratings, some maybe higher or lower.
Why Fuel Capacity Matters?
Knowing how much gas your ATV and UTV holds is an important factor that many don’t take into consideration. Below, I’ve listed off a few good reasons why the fuel capacity matters to better help you in your ATV journey.
- Ride time – The more fuel you can carry, the longer you can ride, and the more places you can go.
- Fuel efficiency – Just because you have a larger gas tank doesn’t mean you can go more places, how fuel efficient your ATV is matters, and you’ll need to know the gas tank size.
- Weight – The weight of your ATV matters when hauling them on trailers, storing them on racks and more. Most people forget to take into consideration the fuel weight, as it does add a good bit more.
- Costs – Everything costs money, and knowing how much gas your ATV holds can help determine if you can afford to go on that trip.
- Emergencies – Things happen, from tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters, you may need extra fuel to power your car, generator or even ATV. Knowing how much gas your ATV holds, and keeping it full for emergencies, is a good idea. It’s a good idea to do it with other things like boats as they hold more fuel, just make sure to put fuel stabilizer* in them.
- Repairs – Sometimes gasoline goes bad, or you may need to do repairs on your ATV, like replacing the fuel pump. Knowing how much gas your ATV holds will help you when you need to remove the fuel.
How To Extend ATV Fuel Capacity
You can extend the fuel capacity of your ATV with a portable gas can*.
These portable gas cans often have attachments that make it easy to install them. The ATV manufacturers will even have their own type that use their system to attach to your ATV with ease (Can-AM example).
If you’re going camping or going out to hard to reach areas, you can get a trailer for your ATV and carry more fuel that way.
What Fuel To Use In ATV & Side By Side?
What type of fuel, and should you run premium in your ATV or side by side, is a super common question that I get.
You can run regular gas (~87 octane) in your ATV or side by side, but if you have a vehicle with a turbo, you should run premium (91 octane or greater).
Engines that are turbocharged and supercharged tend to be more picky about gasoline, and can throw check engine lights if it’s not perfect for them. But, regular ATVs tend to be less picky, so long as it’s good and not old gas, they’ll run on it.
If you don’t intend to ride your ATV for a few months, I suggest putting some fuel stabilizer in your gas tank.
Should You Store Your ATV Full Of Gas?
Whether to keep your ATV or side by side full of gas for long-term storage is a hotly debated topic.
Some say to store your ATV near empty, and others say to fill it up.
I say to store your ATV nearly full of gas with fuel stabilizer, mostly for emergencies. If you have a carbureted ATV, I suggest turning the fuel off and draining the carburetor. For fuel injected ATVs, I suggest letting the engine run for a few minutes to cycle the fuel stabilizer through the system.
Fuel stabilizer should keep the gas fresh for up to a year, if you need to store it longer than that, then you need to remove most of the fuel.
Some storage facilities may require you to remove all gas from your ATV when storing it with them, especially inside.