Your 2013 Kia Optima’s gas tank holds either 18.5 or 17.2 gallons, depending upon whether it has a gasoline-powered engine or is a Hybrid model. Gas engines, as you might expect, have larger tanks that hold 18.5 gallons while Hybrid tanks hold 17.2 gallons.

Edmunds gave the Optima Kia 4.1/5 stars for its performance, handling, and overall stylishness. One reason that it didn’t earn a 5/5 was its relatively poor gas mileage. No, the Optima is not a gas guzzler, but the car’s typical 28 MPG average (gas engine) may make you wonder about your model’s fuel tank capacity and what you can do to ramp up your fuel efficiency and save money.

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How big is the gas tank on a 2013 Kia Optima?

The Optima has a slightly larger gas tank than other mid-size sedans. Instead of the average 13 to 16-gallon capacity found in comparable vehicles, the Optima’s tank can take either 17.2 or 18.5 gallons.

The three gas-powered trim levels come with an 18.5 gal. gas tank size:

LX trim: 2.4L, inline 4-cylinder engine

EX trim: 2.4L, inline 4-cylinder engine

SX trim: 2.0L, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine

The Hybrid model comes in two trims, which come with a 17.2 gal. gas tank:

LX trim: 2.4L HEV, 4-cylinder

EX trim: 2.4L HEV, 4-cylinder

Note: HEV stands for Hybrid Electric Vehicles

How to check your 2013 Kia Optima’s gas tank size

But what if you want to be absolutely sure of your gas tank’s capacity by doing your own research and taking your own measurements, it’s actually fairly easy.

Check your owner’s manual

The quickest way to verify your gas tank size is by looking through your Optima’s owner’s manual. Search for the phrase “fuel tank capacity” or something similar. If you don’t own a hard copy of the manual, you may be able to access one online.

Measure the gas tank

You can do this with a measuring tape and a calculator. Once you’ve located the gas tank, measure its width, length, and height. Then multiply these numbers together. Finally, divide the sum by 231 (that’s the number of cubic inches in a gallon). This will give you the tank size.

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Drive ‘til empty and then fill up!

Now, if you can’t find an owner’s manual and have no idea where to locate the gas tank in your Optima, there’s another approach to take. Let your Optima get to “E” according to the fuel gauge. Then fill it up. The gas pump will indicate how many gallons the tank took. This should provide you with a close enough estimate of your tank’s gasoline capacity.

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How to save on fuel costs in a Kia Optima

If you have a gas-powered LX or EX trim, you can expect your Optima to get 24 MPG City/ 34 MPGHighway. The SX trim comes in a bit lower at 22/34. With the Hybrid model, the gas mileage jumps up to 35-36 City/ 39-30Highway.

While the hybrid model’s MPG is decent, owners of gas-powered Optimas may be less than thrilled with their gas mileage. Take a look at these tips below, which can help raise your MPG:

Reduce your weight by cleaning out your car. Sure a few papers in your back seat are negligible, but a duffle bag filled with those books you keep meaning to drop off at the library may be adding enough weight to impact your Optima’s fuel efficiency.

Tire pressure. Underinflated tires can cause fuel consumption to increase. Be sure to check them regularly.

Keep up with maintenance. Changing your oil and air filter, and making sure other components of your car are working optimally will help your gas mileage.

Drive steadily within the speed limit. When possible, avoid rapid acceleration and quick braking. Also, driving within the speed limit will not only help with fuel efficiency but will keep you from getting a speeding ticket, which can be quite costly—much more expensive than a full tank of gas!

Avoid idling. Your 2013 Kia Optima probably didn’t come equipped with the Idle Stop and Go (ISG) feature found in newer models. This feature automatically shuts down the car whenever the vehicle is at a standstill and then restarts. If you don’t have this system, which is finely tuned by a computer, you won’t want to turn your engine off at every stop. However, you can make a practice of doing so when you’re parked and waiting for more than a couple of minutes.

How to optimize your Optima’s insurance coverage

Sometimes, all you’re looking for is a quick answer to a car-related question such as “How big Is the gas tank in a 2013 Kia Optima?” After typing in the search phrase, you wind up going down an online rabbit hole, where the answers are confusing. You wish you had an expert on call.

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