cold bladder?

barbaram · 10-26-2006, 09:00 PM

Only 3 pips left- driven only about 250 miles on NJ turnpike in windy conditions, not my best tank but surprise! it showed full with only about 5 gallons! I know, I know, lots of pumping issues...

but is it likely now that it has dropped into the 40's and 50's here that the badder does not expand as well as when it is 70 or above?? so an actual "full tank"may only be 10 gallons or less?????

**Tideland Prius** · 10-26-2006, 09:02 PM

I just refuelled with one bar (not blinking). 717 kms and 32.117 litres (roughly 8.5 gals US) and it's 50°F here

Proco · 10-27-2006, 08:27 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(barbaram @ Oct 26 2006, 09:00 PM) [snapback]339001[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Only 3 pips left- driven only about 250 miles on NJ turnpike in windy conditions, not my best tank but surprise! it showed full with only about 5 gallons! I know, I know, lots of pumping issues...

but is it likely now that it has dropped into the 40's and 50's here that the badder does not expand as well as when it is 70 or above?? so an actual "full tank"may only be 10 gallons or less?????
[/b]

I think that is indeed the case. I'm starting to notice a definite drop from the summer. To make things worse, I don't have a garage. So my car will be about as cold as a car can be. I had to scrape my windows for the first time this morning!

On this tank, the MFD is telling me I'm getting around 52, but I have a hunch my hand calcs will be lower. I just dropped to my 5th pip after about 225 miles. When it was warmer that didn't happen until around 275.

dreichla · 10-27-2006, 08:28 AM

It sucks getting cold.

john1701a · 10-27-2006, 08:35 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(barbaram @ Oct 26 2006, 08:00 PM) [snapback]339001[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Only 3 pips left- driven only about 250 miles on NJ turnpike in windy conditions, not my best tank but surprise! it showed full with only about 5 gallons! I know, I know, lots of pumping issues...

but is it likely now that it has dropped into the 40's and 50's here that the badder does not expand as well as when it is 70 or above?? so an actual "full tank"may only be 10 gallons or less?????
[/b]

That's awful soon to refill. I know that it's very hard to break the traditional gauge habit, but the digital pips are setup to tell you to refill when they are gone. In other words, last one about to blink is around 8 gallons. That's a normal amount. Before that, is unnecessary.

In other words, use mileage. 250 miles is also an indication of gas not needed yet. You've still got another 100 miles, at least, before refilling.

As for the bladder shrinking, that effect does not begin until temps drop below freezing. And you really won't notice a big difference until it colder than about 15F.

barbaram · 10-28-2006, 08:23 PM

I guess I'd rather fill up at a favorable gas station than be stuck in the middle of what saying "why didn't I get gas????"

can't afford to run out on my way to work.......

jmpenn · 10-30-2006, 12:34 PM

Yes it seems to make a big difference. I was down to the one blinking PIP this past weekend. During the summer that would mean 9.5 - 10 gallons on fill up. This time around 8.5 gallons.

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10-26-2006, 09:00 PM	#1
barbaram Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 721 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Only 3 pips left- driven only about 250 miles on NJ turnpike in windy conditions, not my best tank but surprise! it showed full with only about 5 gallons! I know, I know, lots of pumping issues... but is it likely now that it has dropped into the 40's and 50's here that the badder does not expand as well as when it is 70 or above?? so an actual "full tank"may only be 10 gallons or less?????

10-26-2006, 09:02 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 14,192 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 12	I just refuelled with one bar (not blinking). 717 kms and 32.117 litres (roughly 8.5 gals US) and it's 50°F here

10-27-2006, 08:28 AM	#4
dreichla Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,230 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It sucks getting cold.

10-28-2006, 08:23 PM	#6
barbaram Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 721 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I guess I'd rather fill up at a favorable gas station than be stuck in the middle of what saying "why didn't I get gas????" can't afford to run out on my way to work.......

10-30-2006, 12:34 PM	#7
jmpenn Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Rockaway, NJ Posts: 110 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Yes it seems to make a big difference. I was down to the one blinking PIP this past weekend. During the summer that would mean 9.5 - 10 gallons on fill up. This time around 8.5 gallons.