[WARNING] Running out of gas (Gen III)

[bestmapman]

Hi Bob,

How accurate was the miles to empty number.

[925PriusGuy]

Thanks Bob for the information. Running out of gas is a little like what my Momma taught me about running through the house with scissors... Don't do it! You may get hurt

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by bestmapman

. . . How accurate was the miles to empty number.

I did the last 50 miles with it saying "0 miles to empty."

Bob Wilson

[Mike Dimmick]

You can replace a battery if you're willing to spend over $2,000, plus a few hours' labour to fit it. Or, you could spend under $50 filling the car up. Your choice.

There are dire warnings in the manual about the fuel pump being cooled by the liquid fuel and how you should refuel with 25% remaining. I'm following this plan.

The media and population in general are already extremely wary about battery life issues; not continuing to drive with no fuel left is exactly what every other car does and if doing this reduces the chance of battery damage, then that's a good thing.

In addition, your image shows that the battery is down at two bars, which I would call 'flat'. I think it did continue to run until the battery reached a level at which it's not safe - for battery longevity - to drive the vehicle.

[RickFlashman]

Originally Posted by wvgasguy

If many people are unintentionally running out of gas then they need to develop a reserve like on my seadoo. That is you have to turn a knob to access the reserve. That way it's always there when you need it.

Like a '60s vintage VW Beetle!

[hill]

When the 1st Honda Civic came out in the 1970's I tig welded up a gas tank (in addition to the stock tank) to conform to the internal dimensions of the trunk ... gate valve to open it. Yep ... went all the way from So Cal to the Ozarks on one tank of gas ... so to speak

Interesting read, on the Gen III 'out of gas scenerio'.

[wvgasguy]

Originally Posted by RickFlashman

Like a '60s vintage VW Beetle!

I had a 65 Beetle, but since it never ran most of the time I don't know that I ever took it close to empty.

[steve44]

Originally Posted by gene4655

One of the negatives we see with our new GenIII is that MPG is not continually shown on the screens, as it was on both our GenII and GenI Prii. To find the MPG now (consumption), you have to find the right display, nd then the MGP is present in VERY small figures, a little dangerous to check when you"re 75 MPH down the Interstate.

...which is why you're supposed to check it before you get into the car genius. I can't believe how many poor drivers are on this forum. Upkeep and ensuring you have enough gasoline in your car are CRUCIAL to being a decent driver so you don't make someone else hit you.
EVERYONE, before you get into the car (or out of the car) LOOK at your fuel gauge. If it's low then get gasoline immediatly. It's not hard. I'm just beside myself reading all of these posts.

[steve44]

Originally Posted by 925PriusGuy

Thanks Bob for the information. Running out of gas is a little like what my Momma taught me about running through the house with scissors... Don't do it! You may get hurt

[PriusCrazy]

Originally Posted by Mike Dimmick

You can replace a battery if you're willing to spend over $2,000, plus a few hours' labour to fit it. Or, you could spend under $50 filling the car up. Your choice.

There are dire warnings in the manual about the fuel pump being cooled by the liquid fuel and how you should refuel with 25% remaining. I'm following this plan.

The media and population in general are already extremely wary about battery life issues; not continuing to drive with no fuel left is exactly what every other car does and if doing this reduces the chance of battery damage, then that's a good thing.

In addition, your image shows that the battery is down at two bars, which I would call 'flat'. I think it did continue to run until the battery reached a level at which it's not safe - for battery longevity - to drive the vehicle.

Thanks for posting this Mike. I was thinking the same thing about the two-bar level on the battery. That's pretty low.

I am also kind of scratching my head as to what to do with this new found knowledge. It is akin to saying something like, if you loosen the lug nuts on your wheels and continue to drive, bad things might happen...

Bob, I mean no disrespect, and I admire the fact you were willing to risk damage to your Prius for the sake of knowledge.