Car dies because only a quarter tank of gas?

[adriennepratt]

I like to know what you think about this everybody.

Our 06 Prius simply died on us a couple of days ago (in the middle of searing heat with a newborn baby on board, great, huh?). It refused to turn on when we got back in after leaving it off about an hour, and we got several warning lights - the red triangle with exclamation mark, round orange circle with exclamation mark, AVS and the orange engine (excuse the lack of technical description), all of which the manual told us meant that we should take it to a dealership. We left it turned off for a few minutes and then it came back to life briefly (still with warning lights though) before dying again. So we got it towed.

The service guy told us that the problem was low gasoline, and that this was a Prius quirk - sometimes it thinks you have more gas than you do. But we still had two bars, which normally lasts us for days and days (we don't drive too much). We didn't get a low gasoline warning either, as we normally do.

I'm pretty upset at this as it was a really traumatic event given the baby and the heat. And the cost of the towing. I'd really like to hear if you think the service guy's explanation sounds reasonable and if not, what the problem might have been. I would really like someone to refund the cost of the towing!

Thanks so much,

dri

[brandon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dri @ Jul 30 2006, 10:52 AM) [snapback]294608[/snapback]</div>

The service guy told us that the problem was low gasoline, and that this was a Prius quirk - sometimes it thinks you have more gas than you do. But we still had two bars, which normally lasts us for days and days (we don't drive too much).
[/b]

Complete BS, if you've had all of your Special Service Campaign (SSC) work done. Did you?

EDIT: Just noticed this is a 2006 Prius we're talking about, here. I don't believe there were any fuel bladder/system SSCs on the '06 model.

Did the service person pull any codes from the car, or just tell you that you were "probably out of gas?"

[Frank Hudon]

what were the codes that they pulled? until you get them and there should be several with all the lights on, I'd have to believe Brandon on their explanation. With out the low warning light coming on there should still be a couple of gallons of gas left in the tank. If his explanation was correct there would be dead Prius all over S. Cal and AZ.

[galaxee]

did you recently fuel your car on a surface that wasn't flat? if you run out of gas with a couple bars left the inclinometer may be off.

[tdub1974]

The same exact thing happened to me yesterday (one bar, not blinking instead of two but still...) I went on electiric for about a 1/2 mile then nothing. I was about a 1/2 a mile from a gas station and bought an gas can and a couple gallons and then went to fill up. Then all was good, but concerning. Even more odd is I only filled up with 10 gallons (including the 2 from the can). And I pumped slow... etc etc. all the stuff I normally do. What gives?

I survived, after also thinking someone stole my Prius fro the side of the road... and calling the police. Long story....

If anyone else has ideas, I'd love to hear them. Never the less, I think I will always fill up at 400 miles to be safe!!

[richard schumacher]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dri @ Jul 30 2006, 10:52 AM) [snapback]294608[/snapback]</div>

Our 06 Prius simply died on us a couple of days ago (in the middle of searing heat with a newborn baby on board, great, huh?). It refused to turn on when we got back in after leaving it off about an hour, and we got several warning lights - the red triangle with exclamation mark, round orange circle with exclamation mark, AVS and the orange engine (excuse the lack of technical description), all of which the manual told us meant that we should take it to a dealership. We left it turned off for a few minutes and then it came back to life briefly (still with warning lights though) before dying again. So we got it towed.
[/b]

How many bars were on the gas gauge when you left it? Is it possible that you did not turn it OFF for that hour? It's easy to do if you're distracted or in a hurry.

[hdrygas]

Get the codes and let us help you!

[V8Cobrakid]

sounds like BS.

Now.. if you ran out of gas, they may have programed the prius to be similar to the RX400h computer. Three failures to start on the Gas engine and the computer locks you out. Tow to dealer, no pass go or collect 200... shucks...

[adriennepratt]

Thanks for all your responses! (I didn't realise I had got any because I thought I would get email notification).

Richard Schuhmacher - We had two bars on the gas gauge and we couldn't have left it on because we have the Smart Key system which won't let you leave it on and move away from the car. What we had done was have the car running with the AC on for maybe an hour or two earlier in the day while we were waiting in different places in the car. But I would have thought that would just use up the gas and reduce the number of bars in the indicator. We definitely had two.

Galaxee - no refilling on sloped surfaces that we can remember.

Everyone else - On your advice I called the service guy and asked for the codes - he was anything but helpful (how dare I question him?), but the end result was that he didn't write the codes down. He says there were three and they all indicated low gasoline. He repeated that we should never let it fall below a quarter tank of gas (which on this occasion we actually hadn't).

How can I get to the bottom of this? I am worried it will happen again, and I also want to get reimbursed for the towing fee. Do I contact Toyota with this guy's story and see what they say? Would the codes still be on the computer and is it likely that Toyota will help me to find out what happened?

Thanks again to all,

dri

[philwojo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dri @ Aug 3 2006, 11:31 AM) [snapback]297006[/snapback]</div>

Richard Schuhmacher - We had two bars on the gas gauge and we couldn't have left it on because we have the Smart Key system which won't let you leave it on and move away from the car. What we had done was have the car running with the AC on for maybe an hour or two earlier in the day while we were waiting in different places in the car. But I would have thought that would just use up the gas and reduce the number of bars in the indicator. We definitely had two.

[/b]

DRI, you can leave the car running with the SKS and walk away I do it all the time. I put the key in my pocket, start the car, forget something in the house and run back in, at least 50ft away, and the car does not shut itself off.

But, being you had 2 pips left on the gas gauge, it should have been fine. This is the 2nd post on this I have seen in 2 days and both service people said almost the same thing, I think Toyota needs to step up and send out a bulletin to their Tech's letting them know that you can go all the way down on gas, and you don't need a 1/2 or 1/4 tank when you fill up.

Phil