800 mile attempt on one tank

[a64pilot]

I'm trying for 800 miles on one tank. Very mixed driving. Started with short trips, but my wife broke her ankle, I had to get both kids to school and her to work, so I went from short, to long commutes. I've been barely keeping 68 MPG as displayed, tough with short trips, and not driving the wife crazy. She won't tolerate P&G. I'm at 700 miles now with two "pips" lips left on the gas gauge, and back to short commutes now.
Think I will make it?
How does one get the car started if you run it out of fuel? I assume you simply add fuel and press the start button? There isn't any kind of priming procedure is there?

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

. . .
Think I will make it?

Yes.

Originally Posted by a64pilot

. . . How does one get the car started if you run it out of fuel? I assume you simply add fuel and press the start button? There isn't any kind of priming procedure is there?

When the 'flash' begins, you have just over 2 gallons of fuel left.

If you have an available trip meter, reset it "on flash" and then use the distance and MPG to figure out how much of the 2 gallons has been burned. Now the problem is when the last of the gas is gone, the car will flip into EV mode without any signal. However, you can see the battery level drop if you are watching for it.

If you don't catch it soon enough, the traction battery will drain and the "electronic steering" icon will show. But the traction battery will be too low and the car will only roll to a stop.

Regardless, take a photo of your trip meter. Then add a gallon of gas and the car will start and you can drive to a gas station to fill up.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

[a64pilot]

Bob,
I appreciate you answering as I know you have run one out. I thought the gen III was disabled and wouldn't move once the fuel ran out. I should know when it runs out because I have only been stealthing to start out as use of the traction battery has been detrimental for me in the long run. I try to run as much as possible in the middle of the HSI, leaving the ICE lit. Gliding and timing the traffic lights has been my best ploy, other than that and driving the car slowly, I am employing no techniques that I know of.
I will take a Pic, probably several. Thanks again for your reply as I was worried about running it out. I seem to remember something bad happened to the Gen II.

[DrJon]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Bob,
I appreciate you answering as I know you have run one out. I thought the gen III was disabled and wouldn't move once the fuel ran out. I should know when it runs out because I have only been stealthing to start out as use of the traction battery has been detrimental for me in the long run. I try to run as much as possible in the middle of the HSI, leaving the ICE lit. Gliding and timing the traffic lights has been my best ploy, other than that and driving the car slowly, I am employing no techniques that I know of.
I will take a Pic, probably several. Thanks again for your reply as I was worried about running it out. I seem to remember something bad happened to the Gen II.

Dude, if you are at 700 miles and still have two pips left, there is virtually no chance you'll run out. Matter of fact, if you drive like you've driven the rest of the tank, you'll make 900 miles. I drove 129 miles after the first flashing! Good luck.

[a64pilot]

Now it's like 725 and one pip, but it's solid. I'm going to run it out. One thing I want to find out is how much usable fuel there is, no good reason just curiosity. Somebody will get a 1,000 mile tank, maybe somebody already has.

[Paradox]

Based on what you're saying (one pip now, still solid, and at 725 for the tank) I think you'll make it no problem. I agree that once your DTE says 0 you'll still have about 2 gallons, so 800 will be no problem.

But once you hit it, fill up! That's just my opinion... Sorry to be a killjoy but I never saw the big thing about hitting a certain number for a tank. It's just not worth the risk of damaging something for no reason. Still, 800 will be a great feat and if someone accomplishes 1000 eventually it will be amazing.

[a64pilot]

I had forgotten about the DTE thing, it's at 49. I also took a picture. I assume Bob this is what you want for your data collection? If not let me know. Sorry about the quality of the pic, it seemed to need the flash for focus.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I had forgotten about the DTE thing, it's at 49. I also took a picture. I assume Bob this is what you want for your data collection? If not let me know. Sorry about the quality of the pic, it seemed to need the flash for focus.

Excellent photo but I'll start the data collection the end of this month. I'm going to try and assemble everything into a spreadsheet and keep it with the thread. More of a data analysis than a database, it will be good.

You are still driving, right? You should make 800 miles with plenty to spare. However, I would start to carry a spare 1 gallon can. From 'flash', I believe you have ~2.1 gallons of usable fuel remaining. Even if the mileage drops to 50 MPG, you should bust 800 miles.

FYI, I believe Ken@Japan scored a 1,000 mile tank in a 2010 Prius.

Bob Wilson

[bestmapman]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

FYI, I believe Ken@Japan scored a 1,000 mile tank in a 2010 Prius.

Bob Wilson

I think the Japan 2010 Prius has a lot bigger tank then we have.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by bestmapman

I think the Japan 2010 Prius has a lot bigger tank then we have.

I don't know, from some of his fuel consumption pictures, I would say he could easily do it. I don't think it would be impossible to do, I think 80 MPG would do it, I just don't have the commute that that is mileage friendly. I think it would take P&G to do it and I don't have the patience or the lack of traffic. Lately it's been 4 to 6 miles several times a day with at least an hour between trips and it's hard to keep the mileage up. I can't get the first 5 min. segment above maybe 50, and it's hard to average 68 or better if you drive is only 8 or 10 min., but given the desire etc.
Oh and I doubt the Japanese Prius would have a bigger tank, if nothing else why would they want the extra weight?