2 bars to out of gas in <5 Miles!

Inthewind · 10-22-2006, 10:35 PM

First, let me say I'm an experienced Prius owner, we have an 05 along with the new 07. So, if you plan on bashing me or trying to make me feel simple, don't waste your time. I know about fuel management.

We were on our way home from a 360 mile round trip (Savannah to St Augustine and back) today and in a matter of a 5 mile distance, the fuel gauge went from 2 bars to flashing and then to...uh oh! WTF!?!? This was the 2nd tank of gas in this vehicle and the first I had averaged 51mpg @ 65mph. It went from 2 bars to 1 bar and out of gas 2 miles before the exit I was planning on stopping at to refuel. Total miles on the MFD was 475. The time frame is no exaggeration either...2 bars to flashing and check engine light and the big ! in the triangle in less then 5 minutes. Any suggestions other then to not trust the fuel gauge?

F8L · 10-23-2006, 12:07 AM

Well at 51mpg you are pushing it with 475 milers on the trip I think so I would say just fill up at no less than the 1/4 tank mark. On most American cars you shouldnt run the tank so low anyway due to cooling issues with the fuel pump and the likelyhood of pisking up more junk from the bottom of the tank. Not 100% sure how the Prius works but its a decent policy to go by.

sl7vk · 10-23-2006, 12:15 AM

That really sucks.

qbee42 · 10-23-2006, 08:58 AM

Was this with the new 2007 or the 2005?

Tom

FarmGeek · 10-23-2006, 09:07 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Oct 23 2006, 08:58 AM) [snapback]336689[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Was this with the new 2007 or the 2005?

Tom
[/b]

I think it would have been the 2007, its only the second tank of gas.

It took my 2006 about 5000 miles for the fuel gauge, MFD and actual usage to balance out. The most I've ever gone on a tank of gas is about 470 miles but that was after my readings stabilized.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 10-23-2006, 09:19 AM

First of all, let me say that anyone who says anything about "pushing the limits" or "trying to maximize mileage" or any B.S. along those lines clearly did not read the original post and has not considered that he owns two Prii.

With that said, yeah, that stinks.
I have no explanation.

Perhaps FarmGeek's onto something with the "break-in period" hypothesis. Granted, I've never heard of such a rapid swing in readings. I simply don't know what to tell you about that.

Let's try to think outside the box.
- Was there any sort of temperature swing between the two locations?
- Did the road change?
- Highway versus streets?

How'd the story end? Could you limp to a gas station? Did you have to call Roadside Assistance? I'm just curious.

daronspicher · 10-23-2006, 09:33 AM

Filling up at 1/4 tank would be better if I had about 3 or 4 more gallons to work with. As is, I seemingly stop for gas way too much.

In the summer, I could easily hit 550 miles between fillups which is 4 days round trip to work/home with a side trip here or there. Now that it's cooled off, I'm just getting into blinking territory as I get to the 530 mark. Well, 530 is door to door to work and back for 4 days with no side trips. It's the difference of 2 or 3 mpg over 10 gallons.

I haven't run out yet, but it sure make you drive lighter on that last leg toward the desired fuel stop when you are hoping you make it as far as possible before you get the last bar, then as far as possible before it starts to blink, then when it does, you are only 5 miles from the fuel stop, so you are really hoping that you at least get within 3/4 mile or so before it quits so that you can hopefully make it to the pump on battery if needed.

So far, I've only done the blinking pip thing about 7 times. I guess if I had 13 useable gallons I'd just set myself for wishing for 680 miles rather than just wishing for a solid 530 between fillups.

Going 4 days between fillups is bigger than you might think. Seems like you spend your life at the pump filling up every third day.

That was my big arguement against the 1/4 tank fillup thing. If you only fill up every month or two, then why not fill up at 1/2 or 1/4...

I wish there was a reasonably priced mod to get me about 2 gallons more per fillup. I'd trade my current prius and pay $300 upcharge for the optional 16 gallon gas tank.

eagle33199 · 10-23-2006, 09:36 AM

Also take into account any differences in inclination - i'm not sure if it happens with the Prius too, but my old car used to have wild swings in the needle when going up and down hills when it was low on gas.

I'd say this is definately worrysome, and i would take some extra care over the next couple of weeks to ensure that the fuel gauge is correct (ie record the amount you put in the tank and compare that with your mileage to see if you're getting much lower than the gauge says you are)... i know, i know, this type of obsessive record keeping is generally considered bad, but thats just because people try to use it to justify driving with a blinking pip... if you use it to justify stopping early, however, i think it's fine.

Of course, if you keep encountering problems like this, get the tank somewhat low (to the point where you think this sort of this will happen in the next 5-10 miles, based on records) and take your friendly local prius tech out for a little drive to demonstrate the problem.

tomdeimos · 10-23-2006, 10:13 AM

If this is your new car with only 2 tanks experience, then I'd say the gauge needs the calibration procedure.
I go down to 1 bar regularly and if I ran out I'd get it fixed or junk the car. Once it starts flashing I consider it OK to run out.

Any quick jump down in fuel level means the gauge is lost and is not measuring anything useful.

The calibration procedure is here:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=1...and,calibration

F8L · 10-23-2006, 10:54 AM

I guess you must be used to driving fuel efficient cars then. Most of my vehicles never got more than 320 miles to a tank so stopping for gas every 3rd day or so was just nomral life for me so its easy to fill up once a week in the Prius.

I'll say I wasn't bashing in this at all so don't get on me about that. He asked for a solution and I offered simple advice.

10-22-2006, 10:35 PM	#1
Inthewind Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 141 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	First, let me say I'm an experienced Prius owner, we have an 05 along with the new 07. So, if you plan on bashing me or trying to make me feel simple, don't waste your time. I know about fuel management. We were on our way home from a 360 mile round trip (Savannah to St Augustine and back) today and in a matter of a 5 mile distance, the fuel gauge went from 2 bars to flashing and then to...uh oh! WTF!?!? This was the 2nd tank of gas in this vehicle and the first I had averaged 51mpg @ 65mph. It went from 2 bars to 1 bar and out of gas 2 miles before the exit I was planning on stopping at to refuel. Total miles on the MFD was 475. The time frame is no exaggeration either...2 bars to flashing and check engine light and the big ! in the triangle in less then 5 minutes. Any suggestions other then to not trust the fuel gauge? __________________ We are officially a 2 Prius Family!</span>

10-23-2006, 09:19 AM	#6
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,644 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 18	First of all, let me say that anyone who says anything about "pushing the limits" or "trying to maximize mileage" or any B.S. along those lines clearly did not read the original post and has not considered that he owns two Prii. With that said, yeah, that stinks. I have no explanation. Perhaps FarmGeek's onto something with the "break-in period" hypothesis. Granted, I've never heard of such a rapid swing in readings. I simply don't know what to tell you about that. Let's try to think outside the box. - Was there any sort of temperature swing between the two locations? - Did the road change? - Highway versus streets? How'd the story end? Could you limp to a gas station? Did you have to call Roadside Assistance? I'm just curious. __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness >>Current Mileage<< Spreading information and passing gas in the Greater Chicagoland area

10-23-2006, 09:33 AM	#7
daronspicher Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,205 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Filling up at 1/4 tank would be better if I had about 3 or 4 more gallons to work with. As is, I seemingly stop for gas way too much. In the summer, I could easily hit 550 miles between fillups which is 4 days round trip to work/home with a side trip here or there. Now that it's cooled off, I'm just getting into blinking territory as I get to the 530 mark. Well, 530 is door to door to work and back for 4 days with no side trips. It's the difference of 2 or 3 mpg over 10 gallons. I haven't run out yet, but it sure make you drive lighter on that last leg toward the desired fuel stop when you are hoping you make it as far as possible before you get the last bar, then as far as possible before it starts to blink, then when it does, you are only 5 miles from the fuel stop, so you are really hoping that you at least get within 3/4 mile or so before it quits so that you can hopefully make it to the pump on battery if needed. So far, I've only done the blinking pip thing about 7 times. I guess if I had 13 useable gallons I'd just set myself for wishing for 680 miles rather than just wishing for a solid 530 between fillups. Going 4 days between fillups is bigger than you might think. Seems like you spend your life at the pump filling up every third day. That was my big arguement against the 1/4 tank fillup thing. If you only fill up every month or two, then why not fill up at 1/2 or 1/4... I wish there was a reasonably priced mod to get me about 2 gallons more per fillup. I'd trade my current prius and pay $300 upcharge for the optional 16 gallon gas tank. __________________ My Lifetime MPG is: Lifetime Stats Down with VFTW, KeepTheBestIdol.com instead...

10-23-2006, 09:36 AM	#8
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,724 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Also take into account any differences in inclination - i'm not sure if it happens with the Prius too, but my old car used to have wild swings in the needle when going up and down hills when it was low on gas. I'd say this is definately worrysome, and i would take some extra care over the next couple of weeks to ensure that the fuel gauge is correct (ie record the amount you put in the tank and compare that with your mileage to see if you're getting much lower than the gauge says you are)... i know, i know, this type of obsessive record keeping is generally considered bad, but thats just because people try to use it to justify driving with a blinking pip... if you use it to justify stopping early, however, i think it's fine. Of course, if you keep encountering problems like this, get the tank somewhat low (to the point where you think this sort of this will happen in the next 5-10 miles, based on records) and take your friendly local prius tech out for a little drive to demonstrate the problem. __________________

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10-23-2006, 12:07 AM	#2
F8L Collecting Data on Nature Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA. Posts: 3,997 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 15	Well at 51mpg you are pushing it with 475 milers on the trip I think so I would say just fill up at no less than the 1/4 tank mark. On most American cars you shouldnt run the tank so low anyway due to cooling issues with the fuel pump and the likelyhood of pisking up more junk from the bottom of the tank. Not 100% sure how the Prius works but its a decent policy to go by.

10-23-2006, 12:15 AM	#3
sl7vk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 362 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	That really sucks.

10-23-2006, 08:58 AM	#4
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 6,240 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	Was this with the new 2007 or the 2005? Tom

10-23-2006, 10:13 AM	#9
tomdeimos Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 995 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	If this is your new car with only 2 tanks experience, then I'd say the gauge needs the calibration procedure. I go down to 1 bar regularly and if I ran out I'd get it fixed or junk the car. Once it starts flashing I consider it OK to run out. Any quick jump down in fuel level means the gauge is lost and is not measuring anything useful. The calibration procedure is here: http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=1...and,calibration

10-23-2006, 10:54 AM	#10
F8L Collecting Data on Nature Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA. Posts: 3,997 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 15	I guess you must be used to driving fuel efficient cars then. Most of my vehicles never got more than 320 miles to a tank so stopping for gas every 3rd day or so was just nomral life for me so its easy to fill up once a week in the Prius. I'll say I wasn't bashing in this at all so don't get on me about that. He asked for a solution and I offered simple advice.