Run on only electric motor

[myprius2007]

Will my 2007 Prius run on the electric motor if I run out of gas?

[IsrAmeriPrius]

Don't do it. You risk permanent damage to the HV battery.

[brick]

On the same topic, it's important NEVER to second guess the fuel gauge using the "rated capacity" of 11.9 gallons and calculate how many miles you can go. It doesn't work! Odds are very good that the tank really took less fuel and you will be very sorry when you ran out. Fill up BEFORE the car tells you to do it.

[kdmorse]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Toyotalover @ Jul 22 2007, 01:45 PM) [snapback]483182[/snapback]</div>

Will my 2007 Prius run on the electric motor if I run out of gas?
[/b]

Specifically...

When you run out of gas you'll immediately get a the big red triangle, and the little orange HSD error lights on your dash. The system will beep at you, and the little broken HSD icon will appear on your MFD. And of course, the gas engine will stop.

If you're driving at high speeds, you'll notice an immediately notice a drop in power, but the car will still steer, break, etc... perfectly normally. You'll be able to maintain 25-30mph or so at best.

If you're driving at low speeds, the difference isn't as severe, it's a lot like engaging EV mode.

Anything beyond using the battery to find a safe place to stop is not recommended. You can use it to get to a wider and safe shoulder, perhaps turn into a parking lot at the next light, etc... don't use it as a safety net to find the nearest gas station. And don't push it below two purple bars on the energy display (running on battery only, it's charge level will drop like a rock). With the engine dead the car will allow you to run it outside the normal operating conditions of battery, so don't do that. You can completely exhaust the hybrid battery, possibly requiring the dealer to recharge it, possibly damaging the system. So don't push it.

Oh, and many folks have reported than when you run it to death, it requires over three gallons to register with the computer, and thus bring it back to life. I've never had this problem, never required more than a gallon. But then again, I have never pushed it, never gone more than 500 feet after the engine cut out. But if you're calling someone to bring you gas - better have em bring at least 3 gallons just to be on the safe side.

-Ken

[qbee42]

Just one more thing to add: don't do it! As the other posters have said, drive off the road to a safe place, then turn it off.

Tom

[aaf709]

Even better, don't let your tank get that low. Fill up before you get into that situation.

[darelldd]

Yes, for a short while, and with pretty high risk.

I'm surprised that I'm the first one to say it....

Don't Do It.

[ystasino]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brick @ Jul 22 2007, 01:59 PM) [snapback]483189[/snapback]</div>

On the same topic, it's important NEVER to second guess the fuel gauge using the "rated capacity" of 11.9 gallons and calculate how many miles you can go. It doesn't work! [/b]

That of course will not work in the US. However what will likely work is to remember how much fuel you have added in your last gas station stop and multiply that with the MFD mpg figure given that some residual fuel would be carrying over from the previous tank.

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ystasino @ Jul 23 2007, 02:33 PM) [snapback]483672[/snapback]</div>

That of course will not work in the US. However what will likely work is to remember how much fuel you have added in your last gas station stop and multiply that with the MFD mpg figure given that some residual fuel would be carrying over from the previous tank.
[/b]

One method that works every time is to wait until you run out of gas, then subtract about 50 miles from your present position, and know that at that point you had about one gallon of gas left.

Tom

[pviebey]

There are 2 things that are pre-ordained:
You WILL run yourself out of gas
You WILL have it happen exactly far enough not to reach a station. <grin>

Been there, done that, got stuck on a highway.

BTW: At highway speeds it shuts off reallllll fast.

Just fill up when you get to the last bar, or at the latest when the bar blinks... and be happy.