2017 Nissan Rogue Gas Tank Size

The 2017 Nissan Rogue carved a significant niche in the compact SUV market, offering a blend of practicality, fuel efficiency, and appealing aesthetics. A crucial aspect of any vehicle's practicality is its fuel capacity. Understanding the gas tank size of the 2017 Rogue, along with its implications, provides valuable insight into its overall design and performance characteristics. This article delves into the specifics of the 2017 Rogue's fuel tank, examining its capacity, materials, design considerations, and its impact on range and fuel economy.

Fuel Tank Capacity: A Core Specification

The 2017 Nissan Rogue, across most of its trim levels (S, SV, SL), boasts a fuel tank capacity of 14.5 gallons (approximately 54.9 liters). This capacity remained consistent for both the front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) versions of the standard gasoline-powered Rogue. However, it's important to note that the Rogue Hybrid model featured a smaller fuel tank of 12.8 gallons (48.4 liters). This difference is primarily due to the space occupied by the hybrid system's components, particularly the battery pack. This reduction in fuel tank size is a common tradeoff in hybrid vehicles.

The 14.5-gallon capacity positions the Rogue competitively within its class. While some rivals might offer slightly larger tanks, the Rogue's capacity strikes a balance between providing a reasonable driving range and minimizing weight. A larger tank adds weight, negatively impacting fuel economy. Therefore, automakers carefully consider the optimal size based on the vehicle's intended use and fuel efficiency targets.

Material and Construction: Ensuring Safety and Durability

Fuel tanks are critical safety components, and their construction reflects this importance. The 2017 Nissan Rogue's fuel tank is typically manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is a thermoplastic polymer known for its strength, durability, and resistance to impact and corrosion. It's also relatively lightweight, which contributes to the vehicle's overall fuel efficiency.
The selection of HDPE is not arbitrary. Metal tanks, while strong, are susceptible to rust and corrosion over time, especially in regions with harsh weather conditions or road salt usage. HDPE effectively addresses these concerns, ensuring a longer lifespan for the fuel tank. Furthermore, HDPE tanks can be molded into complex shapes, allowing for optimal space utilization within the vehicle's undercarriage.

The manufacturing process typically involves blow molding, where molten HDPE is inflated within a mold to create the desired shape. The tank is then subjected to rigorous testing to ensure it meets stringent safety standards, including leak tests, pressure tests, and impact resistance tests. These tests are critical to guarantee the tank's integrity in the event of an accident.

Design Considerations: Space Optimization and Safety Integration

The design and placement of the fuel tank within the 2017 Rogue's chassis are carefully considered to optimize space utilization and enhance safety. Typically, the fuel tank is located underneath the rear seats or cargo area, a position that provides protection in the event of a collision. This positioning also helps to lower the vehicle's center of gravity, improving handling and stability.
The tank's shape is often contoured to fit around other components, such as the exhaust system, suspension components, and the rear differential in AWD models. Automotive engineers use sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) software to model and optimize the tank's shape and placement, ensuring that it doesn't compromise ground clearance or negatively impact the vehicle's dynamics.

Furthermore, the fuel tank is often integrated with a rollover valve, which prevents fuel leakage in the event of a rollover accident. This valve automatically seals the fuel tank vent, minimizing the risk of fire. Fuel tanks are also equipped with a fuel filler neck that incorporates a check valve to prevent fuel spillage during refueling. These safety features are essential for protecting occupants and minimizing environmental damage.

Impact on Range and Fuel Economy

The 14.5-gallon fuel tank capacity, combined with the 2017 Rogue's fuel economy ratings, directly influences its driving range. According to EPA estimates, the FWD Rogue achieves approximately 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The AWD version sees a slight reduction in fuel economy, with estimates of 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
Using these figures, we can calculate the approximate driving range of the 2017 Rogue. For the FWD model, the range is approximately 377 miles in the city (14.5 gallons * 26 mpg) and 478.5 miles on the highway (14.5 gallons * 33 mpg). For the AWD model, the range is approximately 362.5 miles in the city (14.5 gallons * 25 mpg) and 464 miles on the highway (14.5 gallons * 32 mpg). These figures are estimates, and actual range may vary depending on driving conditions, driving style, and vehicle load.

For the Rogue Hybrid, with its smaller 12.8-gallon tank and improved fuel economy (estimated at 33 mpg city and 35 mpg highway), the theoretical range is approximately 422.4 miles in the city and 448 miles on the highway. While the tank is smaller, the significantly improved fuel economy allows for a comparable, and in some situations, greater range than the standard gasoline model.

It's crucial to remember that these are theoretical ranges. In real-world driving, factors such as traffic congestion, weather conditions, and aggressive acceleration can significantly reduce fuel economy and, consequently, the driving range. Furthermore, most drivers don't completely empty the fuel tank before refueling, so the actual distance traveled between fill-ups will likely be less than the calculated range. Also, the actual usable fuel capacity might be slightly less than the stated 14.5 gallons. This is due to the fuel pump needing to remain submerged to operate correctly, and a small reserve being kept to prevent running the tank completely dry.

Fuel System Components and Operation

The fuel tank is just one part of a larger fuel system. Other essential components include the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel lines, fuel injectors, and fuel pressure regulator. The fuel pump, typically located inside the fuel tank, draws fuel from the tank and delivers it to the engine at the required pressure. The fuel filter removes contaminants from the fuel, protecting the fuel injectors from damage. The fuel lines transport the fuel from the tank to the engine. The fuel injectors spray the fuel into the engine's cylinders in a precise and controlled manner. The fuel pressure regulator maintains a consistent fuel pressure, ensuring optimal engine performance.
The evaporative emission control (EVAP) system is another critical component. This system prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere, reducing emissions and contributing to environmental protection. The EVAP system typically includes a charcoal canister that absorbs fuel vapors from the fuel tank. When the engine is running, these vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine.

Understanding Fuel Grade Recommendations

Nissan recommends using unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher for the 2017 Rogue. While using premium gasoline with a higher octane rating won't damage the engine, it's unlikely to provide any significant performance benefits unless the engine is specifically designed to run on premium fuel. The 2017 Rogue's engine is optimized for regular gasoline, and using premium fuel is generally unnecessary and uneconomical.

Conclusion

The 2017 Nissan Rogue's 14.5-gallon fuel tank (12.8 gallons for the hybrid) is a carefully considered design element that balances driving range, fuel efficiency, and safety. The use of HDPE ensures durability and corrosion resistance, while the tank's placement and integration with other safety features minimize the risk of damage in the event of an accident. Understanding the fuel tank's capacity and its impact on range allows owners to make informed decisions about refueling and trip planning, maximizing the practicality and convenience of their 2017 Nissan Rogue.