NO fix for Prius Gas Tank Filling Up Issues

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by zonie911

FILL UP AT A HALF TANK.....I guarantee you will worry a lot less.

Wrong, unfortunately. In the past we've primarily filled at the flashing pip, with some at 1, 2, and 3 pips, never above. We never had had a problem with the tank refusing to fill. So yesterday we did a fill at half a tank in preparation for a trip...and now have had our FIRST the damned thing won't fill episode. It wouldn't take over 2.55 gallons. So either we got 115 mpg (calculated) vs. 53.8 mpg indicated, or the over-engineered bladder and vent system was misbehaving as so many have reported here before. The MFD calc shows that it should have taken another 2.88 gallons.

We've used the same pump in the past. The guess gauge indicated full after the 2.55 gallon fill. It didn't lose a pip for about 60 miles (which is still shorter than normal), then fell 1 pip every ~30 miles for about half a tank.

In the end we worried a lot more than before because of the problems with the 5 pip fill. So how does one cash in the failed guarrantee?

[boppo]

Originally Posted by Shawn Clark

Wrong, unfortunately. In the past we've primarily filled at the flashing pip, with some at 1, 2, and 3 pips, never above. We never had had a problem with the tank refusing to fill. So yesterday we did a fill at half a tank in preparation for a trip...and now have had our FIRST the damned thing won't fill episode. It wouldn't take over 2.55 gallons. So either we got 115 mpg (calculated) vs. 53.8 mpg indicated, or the over-engineered bladder and vent system was misbehaving as so many have reported here before. The MFD calc shows that it should have taken another 2.88 gallons.

We've used the same pump in the past. The guess gauge indicated full after the 2.55 gallon fill. It didn't lose a pip for about 60 miles (which is still shorter than normal), then fell 1 pip every ~30 miles for about half a tank.


In the end we worried a lot more than before because of the problems with the 5 pip fill. So how does one cash in the failed guarrantee?

My last 3 tanks went down to the last pip and I filled up before it started to blink, she took over 11 gals every time. I guess my 2006 doen't have a blatter problem.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by boppo

My last 3 tanks went down to the last pip and I filled up before it started to blink, she took over 11 gals every time. I guess my 2006 doen't have a blatter problem.

...or a bladder problem either.

Tom

[yardman 49]

Originally Posted by boppo

My last 3 tanks went down to the last pip and I filled up before it started to blink, she took over 11 gals every time. I guess my 2006 doen't have a blatter problem.

Or maybe you have a European model that was shipped over here, and it doesn't even have a bladder.......

[zonie911]

Originally Posted by Shawn Clark

Wrong, unfortunately. In the past we've primarily filled at the flashing pip, with some at 1, 2, and 3 pips, never above. We never had had a problem with the tank refusing to fill. So yesterday we did a fill at half a tank in preparation for a trip...and now have had our FIRST the damned thing won't fill episode. It wouldn't take over 2.55 gallons. So either we got 115 mpg (calculated) vs. 53.8 mpg indicated, or the over-engineered bladder and vent system was misbehaving as so many have reported here before. The MFD calc shows that it should have taken another 2.88 gallons.

We've used the same pump in the past. The guess gauge indicated full after the 2.55 gallon fill. It didn't lose a pip for about 60 miles (which is still shorter than normal), then fell 1 pip every ~30 miles for about half a tank.

In the end we worried a lot more than before because of the problems with the 5 pip fill. So how does one cash in the failed guarrantee?

Well, I had that major traumatic problem with my first (1st) tank fill-up, after getting to 1 pip. It took several fill-ups to get the tank bladder back to full extension, so refills at 1/2 a tank have worked for me. But it did take a while for me to get peace of mind.
So sorry that you're feeling the problem now, I do understand how nerve wracking it can be.

[blippo]

First fill up, no problems with my 2009

[roadog03]

on a slightly different note..........we were driving for a day running errands with the third bar left on the gas gauge......on the freeway and it got down to 2 bars (lowest we've had it yet)...assumed I had a few miles to go....MOMENTS later "add fuel" come up on the screen and it runs out of gas in the fast lane on the freeway!!!

I'm here to tell you it doesn't go very fast on just the battery! Or very far.....

Plan to tell dealer when we take it in for service....also anyone else cancel their dealer extended warranty and get a replacement from somewhere else less expensive? We paid $2,230 for our bumper/bumper, 100K or 7yr 0 deductable.

[qbee42]

You shouldn't run out of gas with two bars. Have the dealer adjust the calibration of your fuel gauge.

Tom

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by qbee42

You shouldn't run out of gas with two bars. Have the dealer adjust the calibration of your fuel gauge.

Agreed. This is exactly why I consider it wise to take the vehicle all the way down to the flashing pip while it is still under warranty. Folks that fill religiously at half a tank or such might have a problem, but they will not know it.

roadog03,

How much fuel did it take to fill after running out? If it took only 8 or 9 gallons there might be other issues with the bladder/vent system.

At any rate, it's a defect with the vehicle, not with the driver.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by Shawn Clark

<snip>

At any rate, it's a defect with the vehicle, not with the driver.

Although it's always fun to blame the driver. Let's beat him up a bit just for sport.

Tom