Help!

melissaK · 10-22-2009, 12:13 AM

I put about 8 gallons into my new 2008 Prius today (just got it three weeks ago), and I drove about 110 miles straight from fill-up, and my gas gauge is still on the F. It's just a bit nerve-wrecking to me, as in, I'm worried I broke the gauge. Is my mileage supposed to be high enough for it to stay on the F that long, or should I be contacting my dealer? I coasted on my electric motor a ton, but still, it's nerve-wrecking. I'm a 20 year old f that knows nothing about cars, and I'm still trying to understand how this all works. Please please help.

philobeddoe · 10-22-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melissaK

I put about 8 gallons into my new 2008 Prius today (just got it three weeks ago), and I drove about 110 miles straight from fill-up, and my gas gauge is still on the F. It's just a bit nerve-wrecking to me, as in, I'm worried I broke the gauge. Is my mileage supposed to be high enough for it to stay on the F that long, or should I be contacting my dealer? I coasted on my electric motor a ton, but still, it's nerve-wrecking. I'm a 20 year old f that knows nothing about cars, and I'm still trying to understand how this all works. Please please help.

are you being serious?
what is your indicated mpg?

try to relax, there's plenty other things to be worried about. it sounds like you're doing just fine.

no, don't call the dealer, they'll take you for a simp and sell you a bridge.

if you're really that worried, talk to you doctor about a prescription.

relax, take a hot bath, you'll feel much better in the morning

firepa63 · 10-22-2009, 03:48 AM

I've driven 185 miles before the first pip disappeared on occasion and also as little as 65 miles. Don't worry about it. It's the bladder in the fuel tank that makes it do strange things.

Benggolf · 10-22-2009, 05:15 AM

You are getting great fuel mileage already!

On a serious note, that is pretty normal especially if you topped off your gas tank and are light-footed. Don't expect the fuel gauge to move anytime until after 120 to 150 miles.

uart · 10-22-2009, 06:00 AM

For me the first pip on the gauge is equal to about 3 of the other pips, it's a veritable mega-pip

. Relax, it's totally normal to go that far on just the first pip.

Sandy · 10-22-2009, 10:15 AM

oh it never gos down you however can borrow my RX8 and watch it move from the fillup.
I get sometime 120-150 before the first dash disappears.

qbee42 · 10-22-2009, 10:53 AM

Most gas gauges, the Prius included, have a dead band at the top. The fuel level drops for awhile before the gauge starts to move down.

Tom

Shawn Clark · 10-22-2009, 11:25 AM

Tom is mostly correct. However, the digital gauge in the Prius is a pain in the ass because unlike analog gauges it can't show changes in this "overfull" band. The analogs generally will show some response in the top end unless they are pegged well above Full, whereas the Prius digital won't show any change until it drops to ~90% indicated. Since a normal gauge will display a range of about -25% to about 125%, being unable to see a large percentage of the tank's capacity is the bane of the Prius guess gauge system. The flashing pip starts at ~12.5% (~1/8th tank indicated.)

DaveinOlyWA · 10-22-2009, 11:31 AM

very common occurrence especially at this time of year. if you filled up your tank and then shortly afterward, the weather turned colder, you tank will appear full longer than normal. trust me, this is temporary unfortunately.

qbee42 · 10-22-2009, 11:32 AM

Most of the analog gauges I've used pegged at full. Likewise some of the analog systems have discrete senders, so you get a banded response even with an analog gauge. It's a frustrating situation, and also helps explain why pilots calculate remaining fuel rather than relying on gauges.

The fuel gauges on the Gen II Prius are less consistent than most. Never expect to know exactly how much usable fuel remains in the tank, unless you enjoy walking.

Tom

10-22-2009, 12:13 AM	#1
melissaK Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: N/A Package: No Package Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Help! I put about 8 gallons into my new 2008 Prius today (just got it three weeks ago), and I drove about 110 miles straight from fill-up, and my gas gauge is still on the F. It's just a bit nerve-wrecking to me, as in, I'm worried I broke the gauge. Is my mileage supposed to be high enough for it to stay on the F that long, or should I be contacting my dealer? I coasted on my electric motor a ton, but still, it's nerve-wrecking. I'm a 20 year old f that knows nothing about cars, and I'm still trying to understand how this all works. Please please help.

10-22-2009, 03:48 AM	#3
firepa63 Senior Citizen Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 930 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 39 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Help! I've driven 185 miles before the first pip disappeared on occasion and also as little as 65 miles. Don't worry about it. It's the bladder in the fuel tank that makes it do strange things.

10-22-2009, 05:15 AM	#4
Benggolf Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Richmond, BC, Canada Posts: 175 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 24 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Help! You are getting great fuel mileage already! On a serious note, that is pretty normal especially if you topped off your gas tank and are light-footed. Don't expect the fuel gauge to move anytime until after 120 to 150 miles.

10-22-2009, 06:00 AM	#5
uart Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 151 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: No Package Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Help! For me the first pip on the gauge is equal to about 3 of the other pips, it's a veritable mega-pip . Relax, it's totally normal to go that far on just the first pip.

10-22-2009, 10:15 AM	#6
Sandy Hippi Chick Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ocala,Fl Posts: 647 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 53 Thanked 34 Times in 29 Posts Friends: 8	Re: Help! oh it never gos down you however can borrow my RX8 and watch it move from the fillup. I get sometime 120-150 before the first dash disappears.

10-22-2009, 10:53 AM	#7
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,492 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 392 Times in 290 Posts Friends: 10	Re: Help! Most gas gauges, the Prius included, have a dead band at the top. The fuel level drops for awhile before the gauge starts to move down. Tom Last edited by qbee42; 10-22-2009 at 11:27 AM.

10-22-2009, 11:25 AM	#8
Shawn Clark Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 2,118 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 125 Thanked 107 Times in 89 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Help! Tom is mostly correct. However, the digital gauge in the Prius is a pain in the ass because unlike analog gauges it can't show changes in this "overfull" band. The analogs generally will show some response in the top end unless they are pegged well above Full, whereas the Prius digital won't show any change until it drops to ~90% indicated. Since a normal gauge will display a range of about -25% to about 125%, being unable to see a large percentage of the tank's capacity is the bane of the Prius guess gauge system. The flashing pip starts at ~12.5% (~1/8th tank indicated.)

10-22-2009, 11:31 AM	#9
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,382 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 122 Times in 104 Posts Friends: 10	Re: Help! very common occurrence especially at this time of year. if you filled up your tank and then shortly afterward, the weather turned colder, you tank will appear full longer than normal. trust me, this is temporary unfortunately.

10-22-2009, 11:32 AM	#10
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,492 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 392 Times in 290 Posts Friends: 10	Re: Help! Most of the analog gauges I've used pegged at full. Likewise some of the analog systems have discrete senders, so you get a banded response even with an analog gauge. It's a frustrating situation, and also helps explain why pilots calculate remaining fuel rather than relying on gauges. The fuel gauges on the Gen II Prius are less consistent than most. Never expect to know exactly how much usable fuel remains in the tank, unless you enjoy walking. Tom