Ran out of gas: what happened (or my first 500 mile tank)

dhs · 11-07-2009, 05:01 AM

Ok...I thought I had another 1/2 gallon....

I was driving on a Freeway at about 70...fuel gauge blinking...as it has for about 100 miles (brain fart by me...thought I had only 50-75 miles on blinking). Battery was fully charged. Exact location was US 50 going east over the Capitol Beltway.

I felt the engine struggle then stall. But, the car get moving. On my GPS (Garmin, not OEM), I pressing find nearest gas station. 1.8 miles (mostly because the nearest exit was 1.2 mile away). I headed there....coasting (trying to conserve the battery).

I got to within 1/2 mile on electric (might have made it if I did not have to stop at a light at the bottom of the exit ramp).

Then, as the battery dropped to two bars, the electric motor stopped. Pulled over, and walked the rest of the way...

put 11.7 gallons in (1 gallon from the gas can I had to buy, and 10.7 from the gas station). 541.6 miles, so 46.3 MPG (Computer said 48.5)...

It was my first 500 mile tank

I was curious how far I could go on a tan

CivicQc · 11-07-2009, 06:47 AM

Interesting - have you looked at bwilson4web's description of his experience of running out of gas in [WARNING] Running out of gas (Gen III) ? I wonder how we can explain the difference with your experience.

dhs · 11-07-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CivicQc

Interesting - have you looked at bwilson4web's description of his experience of running out of gas in [WARNING] Running out of gas (Gen III) ? I wonder how we can explain the difference with your experience.

yes I did. Looking at his screen shot, I think he rand the electric down to two pips before the traction shut down.

So it is possible that we experienced the same behavior but different interpretations

patsparks · 11-07-2009, 07:06 AM

I wont say it again.

How much did the gas can cost?

bwilson4web · 11-07-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhs

. . .
Then, as the battery dropped to two bars, the electric motor stopped. Pulled over, and walked the rest of the way...

Did you see any error light come on when it lost power?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhs

. . . put 11.7 gallons in (1 gallon from the gas can I had to buy, and 10.7 from the gas station). 541.6 miles, so 46.3 MPG (Computer said 48.5)...
. . .

I carry a 1 gallon, spare can in the driver side, storage area after I found one that just fits. Later, I found the same can for ~$8 at a local discount store. My practice is to carry a pump measured gallon when I plan to run out of gas.

Blitz Enviro-Flo Plus Gas Can — 1+-Gallon Capacity, Model# 81005 | Gas + Oil Cans | Northern Tool + Equipment

Due to the high solar heat load in Alabama, it has been empty. I need to see if I let it 'solar heat' and vent the excess pressure while it is hot, if it stay at a negative pressure in the car. This may avoid gas fume seepage I've had with an older, 1 gallon can that doesn't quite fit in the back.

To fill the Prius, I use the slowest speed at the pump. When it 'clicks off,' I pause to let the gas foaming go down and then finish on the second click. My empty tank takes 12.1 gallons.

Bob Wilson

firepa63 · 11-07-2009, 07:53 AM

Good way to shorten the life of the traction battery...!!!

dhs · 11-07-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsparks

I wont say it again.

How much did the gas can cost?

I know....it was not cost effective...

first, gas was more in MD than VA...then I added $10 for the gas can.

I was stupid.

bwilson4web · 11-07-2009, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firepa63

Good way to shorten the life of the traction battery...!!!

There are worse things but the new style, NHW20 modules seem to have solved the problems of the earlier style, NHW11 modules.

Bob Wilson

Airbalancer · 11-07-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsparks

I wont say it again.

How much did the gas can cost?

Road side assistance will bring gas

patsparks · 11-07-2009, 08:42 AM

And a possible long wait.
I prefer to bring my own gas, in the gas tank. That's why I fill up at 2 bars on the gas gauge.

11-07-2009, 05:01 AM	#1
dhs Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 71 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Base Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 0	Ran out of gas: what happened (or my first 500 mile tank) Ok...I thought I had another 1/2 gallon.... I was driving on a Freeway at about 70...fuel gauge blinking...as it has for about 100 miles (brain fart by me...thought I had only 50-75 miles on blinking). Battery was fully charged. Exact location was US 50 going east over the Capitol Beltway. I felt the engine struggle then stall. But, the car get moving. On my GPS (Garmin, not OEM), I pressing find nearest gas station. 1.8 miles (mostly because the nearest exit was 1.2 mile away). I headed there....coasting (trying to conserve the battery). I got to within 1/2 mile on electric (might have made it if I did not have to stop at a light at the bottom of the exit ramp). Then, as the battery dropped to two bars, the electric motor stopped. Pulled over, and walked the rest of the way... put 11.7 gallons in (1 gallon from the gas can I had to buy, and 10.7 from the gas station). 541.6 miles, so 46.3 MPG (Computer said 48.5)... It was my first 500 mile tank I was curious how far I could go on a tan __________________ 2010 Prius 3, Silver Best MPG for a short trip (> 5 miles): 77.2 Mpg (22 mph) Best Long Trip (>200 Miles): 57.5 Mpg (61.6 Mph) Best Gas Tank: 52.0 MPG (calculated), 52.2, Computer VA Lic Plate: H20WAV (if you see me, say hi!).

11-07-2009, 06:47 AM	#2
CivicQc The world needs more prius Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Québec Posts: 91 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 129 Thanked 49 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Ran out of gas: what happened (or my first 500 mile tank) Interesting - have you looked at bwilson4web's description of his experience of running out of gas in [WARNING] Running out of gas (Gen III) ? I wonder how we can explain the difference with your experience.

11-07-2009, 07:06 AM	#4
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,186 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 120 Thanked 179 Times in 137 Posts Friends: 33	Re: Ran out of gas: what happened (or my first 500 mile tank) I wont say it again. How much did the gas can cost?

11-07-2009, 07:53 AM	#6
firepa63 Senior Citizen Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 928 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Ran out of gas: what happened (or my first 500 mile tank) Good way to shorten the life of the traction battery...!!!

11-07-2009, 08:42 AM	#10
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,186 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 120 Thanked 179 Times in 137 Posts Friends: 33	Re: Ran out of gas: what happened (or my first 500 mile tank) And a possible long wait. I prefer to bring my own gas, in the gas tank. That's why I fill up at 2 bars on the gas gauge.

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