Ran out of gas

jethro · 03-25-2008, 06:49 PM

Rob,
Your tendency to use extreme caution about damage to the Prius when it runs out of gas gives me a first impression of your paranoia rather than fact. Your claims would be credible if it were Toyota's statement that serious damage and invalidated warranty were the case when the Prius runs out of gas. But I can't find that in my documentation. Please point me to the reference for the serious damage and invalidated warranty statements by Toyota when it runs out of gas. You have me concerned, and other consumers need to be aware that such seriously expensive operating risks are associated with the Toyata Prius. If it is the case, and I knew it before purchase, it may have influenced my decision.

In any case, explaining how to get the Prius to turn on after running out of gas is not a recommendation to habitually run out of gas, nor does it condone running on empty as acceptable. It is simply a procedure to get back into operation, and we'll all need it if and when we run out of gas. Potentially damaged or not, the car doors must be cycled to have a chance at starting again.

miscrms · 03-25-2008, 08:56 PM

I realize it does sound paranoid. On the other hand there is already at least one member on here whose main battery failed early, and Toyota denied his warranty on the replacement because he continued to drive until it conked out after running out of gas. This member was also able to add fuel and drive away with no problems. The extent of the problem did not become evident until later. This is one of the conditions that the computers keep track of so the dealer knows (do not believe it can be reset by disconnecting battery etc.).

Below are a few of the things the pocket guide & owners manual have to say about fuel levels (for an '05 at least)

"NOTE: MAINTAIN GASOLINE IN THE TANK AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE HYBRID SYSTEM CAN OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GAS."

"If the fuel level approaches E or the low fuel indicator blinks, fill the tank as soon as possible."

"It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4 full."

"Depending on ambient temperature, the fuel quantity is less than 11.9 gal even at F"

"This light blinks when the fuel level in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up the tank as soon as possible."

"Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; running out of gas could cause the engine to misfire, creating an excessive load on the three-way catalytic converter."

Previous folks that this has happened to have not indicated they needed to do the door trick, so it may have been coincidence. On the other hand if someone is stuck, its certainly worth a try.

Rob

qbee42 · 03-25-2008, 11:01 PM

Refer to this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/care-mai...out-gas-3.html

Tom

jethro · 03-26-2008, 06:55 AM

Thanks guys !

patsparks · 03-26-2008, 07:57 AM

If only Toyota would put one of those hand book things in every Prius they sell, wouldn't that be good? I was lucky, I bought second hand and mine happened to have a hand book. How lucky was that?

qbee42 · 03-26-2008, 08:36 AM

It would be even better if Toyota got someone to organize it as well. The owner's manual is a disordered mess of information. It's all in there somewhere, but try to find it. As an example, take the entertainment system (radio/CD). There are three models (I think), and the information about them is interleaved. The information is organized (if you want to call it that) by activity instead of model. If you want to set the station presets, you find the station preset section, then wade through it to find your model of radio. Then you want to know how to load CDs, so you find the CD section then wade through that to find your model of radio. You have to do that with every section, even though a given car will have only one radio. Instead of being organized by activity/model it should be organized by model/activity. That way, once you find your model of radio, you never have to look at the other sections again. It's a simple thing, but Toyota's tech writers don't seem to understand it.

Tom

patsparks · 03-26-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbee42

It would be even better if Toyota got someone to organize it as well. The owner's manual is a disordered mess of information. It's all in there somewhere, but try to find it. As an example, take the entertainment system (radio/CD). There are three models (I think), and the information about them is interleaved. The information is organized (if you want to call it that) by activity instead of model. If you want to set the station presets, you find the station preset section, then wade through it to find your model of radio. Then you want to know how to load CDs, so you find the CD section then wade through that to find your model of radio. You have to do that with every section, even though a given car will have only one radio. Instead of being organized by activity/model it should be organized by model/activity. That way, once you find your model of radio, you never have to look at the other sections again. It's a simple thing, but Toyota's tech writers don't seem to understand it.

Tom

Don't believe there are several fuel tanks, when I looked to see if there were any warnings about running out of fuel the index took me right to it.

qbee42 · 03-26-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsparks

Don't believe there are several fuel tanks, when I looked to see if there were any warnings about running out of fuel the index took me right to it.

A hit on the first try! Run out and buy a lottery ticket.

Seriously, it's not a bad manual, but it could be a lot better. A company the size of Toyota has access to incredible resources; I expect them to do better.

Tom

patsparks · 03-26-2008, 09:35 AM

Maybe there are just too many options in the North American market. Our handbook is simple as there is a basic Prius and the iTech model. that's it. Only 2 versions of the radio, etc.

qbee42 · 03-26-2008, 11:39 AM

Another problem with the North American market is the overly litigious nature of the U.S. We are so lawsuit happy that most user manuals are one-quarter useful information and three-quarters cover-your-ass legal disclaimers: "Don't use this television in the shower or bath, or while swimming, or use this device as a suppository..." Most of the disclaimers are so silly that you deserve to die if you are that stupid.

Tom

03-25-2008, 06:49 PM	#21
jethro Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Beavercreek, Ohio Posts: 17 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Ran out of gas Rob, Your tendency to use extreme caution about damage to the Prius when it runs out of gas gives me a first impression of your paranoia rather than fact. Your claims would be credible if it were Toyota's statement that serious damage and invalidated warranty were the case when the Prius runs out of gas. But I can't find that in my documentation. Please point me to the reference for the serious damage and invalidated warranty statements by Toyota when it runs out of gas. You have me concerned, and other consumers need to be aware that such seriously expensive operating risks are associated with the Toyata Prius. If it is the case, and I knew it before purchase, it may have influenced my decision. In any case, explaining how to get the Prius to turn on after running out of gas is not a recommendation to habitually run out of gas, nor does it condone running on empty as acceptable. It is simply a procedure to get back into operation, and we'll all need it if and when we run out of gas. Potentially damaged or not, the car doors must be cycled to have a chance at starting again.

03-25-2008, 08:56 PM	#22
miscrms Plug Envious Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,356 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 6 Thanked 116 Times in 76 Posts Friends: 4	Re: Ran out of gas I realize it does sound paranoid. On the other hand there is already at least one member on here whose main battery failed early, and Toyota denied his warranty on the replacement because he continued to drive until it conked out after running out of gas. This member was also able to add fuel and drive away with no problems. The extent of the problem did not become evident until later. This is one of the conditions that the computers keep track of so the dealer knows (do not believe it can be reset by disconnecting battery etc.). Below are a few of the things the pocket guide & owners manual have to say about fuel levels (for an '05 at least) "NOTE: MAINTAIN GASOLINE IN THE TANK AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE HYBRID SYSTEM CAN OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GAS." "If the fuel level approaches E or the low fuel indicator blinks, fill the tank as soon as possible." "It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4 full." "Depending on ambient temperature, the fuel quantity is less than 11.9 gal even at F" "This light blinks when the fuel level in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up the tank as soon as possible." "Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; running out of gas could cause the engine to misfire, creating an excessive load on the three-way catalytic converter." Previous folks that this has happened to have not indicated they needed to do the door trick, so it may have been coincidence. On the other hand if someone is stuck, its certainly worth a try. Rob __________________ Hers: '08 Prius, Magnetic Grey, Package #4 His: '05 Prius, Driftwood Pearl, Package #4 + leather, wheel ring delete, Optima Battery kit, Salvage/Rebuild w/ plug envy

03-25-2008, 11:01 PM	#23
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 12,316 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 368 Thanked 840 Times in 610 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Ran out of gas Refer to this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/care-mai...out-gas-3.html Tom

03-26-2008, 06:55 AM	#24
jethro Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Beavercreek, Ohio Posts: 17 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Ran out of gas Thanks guys !

03-26-2008, 07:57 AM	#25
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,975 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 206 Thanked 273 Times in 212 Posts Friends: 36	Re: Ran out of gas If only Toyota would put one of those hand book things in every Prius they sell, wouldn't that be good? I was lucky, I bought second hand and mine happened to have a hand book. How lucky was that?

03-26-2008, 08:36 AM	#26
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 12,316 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 368 Thanked 840 Times in 610 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Ran out of gas It would be even better if Toyota got someone to organize it as well. The owner's manual is a disordered mess of information. It's all in there somewhere, but try to find it. As an example, take the entertainment system (radio/CD). There are three models (I think), and the information about them is interleaved. The information is organized (if you want to call it that) by activity instead of model. If you want to set the station presets, you find the station preset section, then wade through it to find your model of radio. Then you want to know how to load CDs, so you find the CD section then wade through that to find your model of radio. You have to do that with every section, even though a given car will have only one radio. Instead of being organized by activity/model it should be organized by model/activity. That way, once you find your model of radio, you never have to look at the other sections again. It's a simple thing, but Toyota's tech writers don't seem to understand it. Tom __________________ *Black* 2006 package #7 Northern Michigan

03-26-2008, 09:35 AM	#29
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,975 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 206 Thanked 273 Times in 212 Posts Friends: 36	Re: Ran out of gas Maybe there are just too many options in the North American market. Our handbook is simple as there is a basic Prius and the iTech model. that's it. Only 2 versions of the radio, etc.

03-26-2008, 11:39 AM	#30
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 12,316 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 368 Thanked 840 Times in 610 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Ran out of gas Another problem with the North American market is the overly litigious nature of the U.S. We are so lawsuit happy that most user manuals are one-quarter useful information and three-quarters cover-your-ass legal disclaimers: "Don't use this television in the shower or bath, or while swimming, or use this device as a suppository..." Most of the disclaimers are so silly that you deserve to die if you are that stupid. Tom