Filling Prius gas tank

gupchurch1349 · 11-25-2006, 06:10 PM

While browsing this web site, I have seen many comments about the problems encountered when filling the gas tank and the inaccuracy of the Gas Gauge. This is an obvious problem with the Prius. Let's get real. We, as owners, cannot change this. Oh yes, one can say that Toyota needs to be made aware of the problem. It is obvious they do, and if and when it can be corrected in later editions that will be all good and fine. But for us Prius owners now, use a little common sense. When the gas gauge gets down to 3 bars (4 for me), GO GET GAS. When the gas pump handle clicks off, put the cap back on tight and drive on for another 300 miles.
You are still getting great gas mileage compared to all those SUVs and large sedans passing you like there is no tomorrow. Using this mind set, reduces stress and the need to address an issue we have no control over.

David Beale · 11-25-2006, 06:20 PM

Well I'm still trying to figure out what the compliant is about. The gas gauge may not be indicative of a full tank but the gas gauge is accurate when it tells you the tank is nearly empty, the owners just ignore it. Complain to yourselves if you run out - you are the ones who ignored the gauge.

Stev0 · 11-25-2006, 06:36 PM

To each their own, but personally as soon as it gets down to one tick (non-blinking) is when I fill up. The other day I was down to one tick, and the station I normally go to was temporarily closed (!) - went down to blinking. Fortunately, there was a station about a half mile away from when it started blinking, but yeah, I was nervous.

john1701a · 11-25-2006, 06:37 PM

The blink has been calibrated to trigger near the 8 gallon mark. I witness that on a regular basis. It provides a range of over 300 miles even in the dead of winter (close to 450 miles in the summer). So I certainly don't see why squeezing out greater distance is such a high priority for others either.

daveleeprius · 11-25-2006, 06:51 PM

I got gas today for my 07 Base Prius for the first time. It was down to one blip so I thought I'd better stop. Could only get 7.8 gallons in. It stopped at 7.4 and I was able to get it up to 7.8 when I thought well it's enough. Drove 332 miles on 7.8 gallons of gas computes to about 42.5 mpg, which is pretty much exactly what the MFD says (it's actually around 43.8). So cool dude.

I wonder what the Toyota specs are for the flashing blip? Better go re-read my manual.

Dave

Stev0 · 11-25-2006, 08:56 PM

Yeah, when I filled my tank right after it started flashing, I only got a little less than 9 gallons in it (when I'm down to one tick, I usually put about 8.5 gallons in).

Prius07Pkg4 · 11-25-2006, 09:09 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveLeePrius @ Nov 25 2006, 03:51 PM) [snapback]354047[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I got gas today for my 07 Base Prius for the first time. It was down to one blip so I thought I'd better stop. Could only get 7.8 gallons in. It stopped at 7.4 and I was able to get it up to 7.8 when I thought well it's enough. Drove 332 miles on 7.8 gallons of gas computes to about 42.5 mpg, which is pretty much exactly what the MFD says (it's actually around 43.8). So cool dude.

I wonder what the Toyota specs are for the flashing blip? Better go re-read my manual.

Dave
[/b]

My 07 does exactly the same as your, also the MPG onf the MFD was very accurate with what I computed. I got more MPG when ever I look at the Enery/Consumption frequently.

tomdeimos · 11-26-2006, 11:00 AM

My only problems are with most gas pumps clicking off. Most around MA are not designed to fill a tank with a bladder. I ignore them and fill the tank.

Tank empty I have filled with 12.4 gallons.
gauge flashing I get 10 gal in. gauge at 1 bar I get 9 gallons in. This happens all the time except when weather gets under 20 deg maybe it will take a bit less.

To prevent gas burping out I fill it like an oil tank and listen for the sound to change. Now I've found a couple of stations with better pump designs and don't even have to do that.

The flashing pip is very accurate but there is still some variation. When I ran out on purpose I got 50 miles after the flashing. Without spare gas on board I would get to a station and fill within 15 miles. This variation has been there on most of the the other cars I've had too. Depending how the car is tilted, how you accelerate or corner, etc the empty point can be triggered early. You can't expect to burn down to 1/10 of a gallon left unless you're in Kansas.

darelldd · 11-26-2006, 05:33 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gupchurch1349 @ Nov 25 2006, 03:10 PM) [snapback]354036[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

When the gas pump handle clicks off, put the cap back on tight and drive on for another 300 miles.[/b]

Ha! If only. When the pump handle clicks off for me, I've put in about 1/2 teaspoon. Unless something new has been invented, I'm not going 300 miles on that!

My problem has never been running out of gas. I know when to fill up. My problem is the subject of this thread - filling it up. And "common sense" doesn't help at all.

Tickwood · 11-26-2006, 05:55 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Nov 26 2006, 05:33 PM) [snapback]354263[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Ha! If only. When the pump handle clicks off for me, I've put in about 1/2 teaspoon. Unless something new has been invented, I'm not going 300 miles on that!

My problem has never been running out of gas. I know when to fill up. My problem is the subject of this thread - filling it up. And "common sense" doesn't help at all.
[/b]

Right on. Getting any gas at all in the tank is the real problem at a lot of stations.

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11-25-2006, 06:10 PM	#1
gupchurch1349 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 29 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	While browsing this web site, I have seen many comments about the problems encountered when filling the gas tank and the inaccuracy of the Gas Gauge. This is an obvious problem with the Prius. Let's get real. We, as owners, cannot change this. Oh yes, one can say that Toyota needs to be made aware of the problem. It is obvious they do, and if and when it can be corrected in later editions that will be all good and fine. But for us Prius owners now, use a little common sense. When the gas gauge gets down to 3 bars (4 for me), GO GET GAS. When the gas pump handle clicks off, put the cap back on tight and drive on for another 300 miles. You are still getting great gas mileage compared to all those SUVs and large sedans passing you like there is no tomorrow. Using this mind set, reduces stress and the need to address an issue we have no control over.

11-25-2006, 06:20 PM	#2
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 2,116 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 3 Thanked 77 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 0	Well I'm still trying to figure out what the compliant is about. The gas gauge may not be indicative of a full tank but the gas gauge is accurate when it tells you the tank is nearly empty, the owners just ignore it. Complain to yourselves if you run out - you are the ones who ignored the gauge.

11-25-2006, 06:36 PM	#3
Stev0 Aluminum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 5,697 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 26 Thanked 43 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 7	To each their own, but personally as soon as it gets down to one tick (non-blinking) is when I fill up. The other day I was down to one tick, and the station I normally go to was temporarily closed (!) - went down to blinking. Fortunately, there was a station about a half mile away from when it started blinking, but yeah, I was nervous.

11-25-2006, 06:37 PM	#4
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,372 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 9 Thanked 145 Times in 70 Posts Friends: 12	The blink has been calibrated to trigger near the 8 gallon mark. I witness that on a regular basis. It provides a range of over 300 miles even in the dead of winter (close to 450 miles in the summer). So I certainly don't see why squeezing out greater distance is such a high priority for others either.

11-25-2006, 06:51 PM	#5
daveleeprius Heh heh heh you think so? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 424 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I got gas today for my 07 Base Prius for the first time. It was down to one blip so I thought I'd better stop. Could only get 7.8 gallons in. It stopped at 7.4 and I was able to get it up to 7.8 when I thought well it's enough. Drove 332 miles on 7.8 gallons of gas computes to about 42.5 mpg, which is pretty much exactly what the MFD says (it's actually around 43.8). So cool dude. I wonder what the Toyota specs are for the flashing blip? Better go re-read my manual. Dave

11-25-2006, 08:56 PM	#6
Stev0 Aluminum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 5,697 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 26 Thanked 43 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 7	Yeah, when I filled my tank right after it started flashing, I only got a little less than 9 gallons in it (when I'm down to one tick, I usually put about 8.5 gallons in).

11-26-2006, 11:00 AM	#8
tomdeimos Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 995 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	My only problems are with most gas pumps clicking off. Most around MA are not designed to fill a tank with a bladder. I ignore them and fill the tank. Tank empty I have filled with 12.4 gallons. gauge flashing I get 10 gal in. gauge at 1 bar I get 9 gallons in. This happens all the time except when weather gets under 20 deg maybe it will take a bit less. To prevent gas burping out I fill it like an oil tank and listen for the sound to change. Now I've found a couple of stations with better pump designs and don't even have to do that. The flashing pip is very accurate but there is still some variation. When I ran out on purpose I got 50 miles after the flashing. Without spare gas on board I would get to a station and fill within 15 miles. This variation has been there on most of the the other cars I've had too. Depending how the car is tilted, how you accelerate or corner, etc the empty point can be triggered early. You can't expect to burn down to 1/10 of a gallon left unless you're in Kansas.