my '05 broke down

[seasidetraveler]

I don't think you broke down because of a low fuel problem. It sounds to me like you have one of the Priuses that has the software glitch Toyota was talking about that makes the engine cut out at highway speeds. The pattern fits...the lighting of the entire dashboard, the sudden drop in speed, the ability to restart after shutting off. There's an extensive post on the subject here, and MSN also put out an article about it today.

Thank you!

[paul16451]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(\"remaxmanager\";p=\"90628\ ")</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paul16451\";p=\"90627)

Thank you!
[/b]

Welcome...no use taking it in to the dealer for code check until Toyota issues a formal service bulletin about what needs to be done. You can call to check with the dealer on that, though.

[seasidetraveler]

I called them- they had never heard of that problem... I am surprised they even knew what a hybrid was- HAHA Fresno is a very backwards place! The sales dept didn't know anything, my salesman didn't even know how to start it!

[priusham]

I think you ran out of gas. Neither of my Prius have ever had 10 gallons of fuel pumped into them. http://www.w8kc.com/priusmileage.htm

When you stopped on the hill, for whatever reason, the system allowed enough fuel to hit the pump to get you to the gas station - which you didn't mention how far away that was.

There have been folks who claim that they ran out of gas with a bar or even two still showing.

Tollhouse to Las Vegas (great desination, BTW!) is about 430 miles so at 45 MPG, you could have ran out but should not have.

See what the dealer says about the "guess gauge."

[seasidetraveler]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusham\";p=\"90642)</div>

I think you ran out of gas.   Neither of my Prius have ever had 10 gallons of fuel pumped into them.  http://www.w8kc.com/priusmileage.htm

When you stopped on the hill, for whatever reason, the system allowed enough fuel to hit the pump to get you to the gas station - which you didn't mention how far away that was.



There have been folks who claim that they ran out of gas with a bar or even two still showing.

Tollhouse to Las Vegas (great desination, BTW!) is about 430 miles so at 45 MPG, you could have ran out but should not have.

See what the dealer says about the \"guess gauge.\"
[/b]

WOW you are efficient!

[paul16451]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(remaxmanager\";p=\"90638)</div>

I called them- they had never heard of that problem... I am surprised they even knew what a hybrid was- HAHA  Fresno is a very backwards place! The sales dept didn't know anything, my salesman didn't even know how to start it! [/b]

I'm not surprised the salesperson never heard of the problem; the announcement only came out Monday on a few specialized websites, and was only just widely publicized today. What I meant was that Toyota usually sends out general service bulletins that should reach the files of any dealer connected to the internet that some repair is needed, so even if they don't know the problem specifically, they should know something needs to be done. But so far, Toyota has not done that...you might check again in a week or two.

I would have agreed that you did in fact run out of gas, if you hadn't also said the whole dashboard lit up, as well as being able to restart later. The fuel tank is 11.9 gallons, and while that does vary some depending on temperature, unless it was REALLY cold, it shouldn't have shrunk that much.

[seasidetraveler]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paul16451\";p=\"90645)</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(remaxmanager\";p=\"90638)

I called them- they had never heard of that problem... I am surprised they even knew what a hybrid was- HAHA  Fresno is a very backwards place! The sales dept didn't know anything, my salesman didn't even know how to start it! [/b]

I'm not surprised the salesperson never heard of the problem; the announcement only came out Monday on a few specialized websites, and was only just widely publicized today. What I meant was that Toyota usually sends out general service bulletins that should reach the files of any dealer connected to the internet that some repair is needed, so even if they don't know the problem specifically, they should know something needs to be done. But so far, Toyota has not done that...you might check again in a week or two.

I would have agreed that you did in fact run out of gas, if you hadn't also said the whole dashboard lit up, as well as being able to restart later. The fuel tank is 11.9 gallons, and while that does vary some depending on temperature, unless it was REALLY cold, it shouldn't have shrunk that much.
[/b][/quote]

I agree.. It was the service tech that had never heard of it- just a correction. Did anybodies sales person know anything about the Prius? Why aren't these guys/women trained on these??

When I worked for Ford we always had to do extensive training on new products- I would expect Toyota to go above and beyond Ford

[galaxee]

I think it depends on the dealer...

Unfortunately to most the Prius is still an enigma. Our salesperson could show us all the features and how to drive it and etc. But hubby's a Toyota tech and already knew that stuff.

[seasidetraveler]

Well thats nice! I bet he's handy!
When I was in the finance part- the finance guy said, "Welcome to the world of Prius owners who know nothing about their car." That didn't make me feel very good!

[galaxee]

Eww, I would have hesitated to buy from that dealer if someone said something like that!

That was really unnecessary of them...

Fortunately there's a ton of info here on PriusChat, so hopefully you won't have to go uninformed.