Ok, I need to know the real deal...I ran out of gas

[Eco-chic]

in my brand new 08 last night. We were able to put a gallon or so in roadside & it started back up & got us home. However all of those scray warning lights are on including one of the computer that looks like a car with a line going through it. Actually my DH was driving & he decided to try to make it to the exit ramp on battery, we didn't make it. I was in favor of shutting it off after we ran out of fuel. The cop that pulled over to see if we were ok got a chuckle, I'm so happy we could entertain him
I've been searching the web trying to find out what my next move should be & I've read a couple of stories about running out of gas to the point that those warnings come on voids the warranty! Can this be true???
I've also read driving it for 50 miles will reset it & the warnings lights will go out, is that a fact?
I now know it was a problem with the bladder that caused me to run out, I've been assuming when it only takes 8 or so at the pump that I've got at least 2 gallons left. The pips are too deceiving so I've been trying to count on the computer & always reset the trip od.
Should I tell toyota what happened? I'm scheduled for my first oil change in 3 days.
Help a newbie out with any info & advice, please tell me I'm not going to have a problem with toyota!

[Genoz World]

I clearly read on the manual......NEVER RUN OUT OF GAS.

so i wouldn't tell the dealer about this, otherwise things could be voided out of warranty, not sure, but it can sure happen easily.

why wait until it was so far down? just fill up at the 2nd to last pip. just dont take chances.

let me know if the car has changed in any way after that.

good luck

[NYPrius1]

I don't understand why so many people are running out of gas.
Yes The Prius uses less gas............ But Not NO GAS.
Just do what you always did, 1/4 tank left.........Start looking for a gas station.

[patsparks]

You can clear the warning lights by booting the system 3 times after filling up. Unfortuantely the computer stores the code that tells the service tech it was driven until it ran out of battery power after running out of petrol. If the batteries have been discharged below 40% which is no battery bars showing it can harm the battery, if the battery fails it isn't likely you will get warrantee on the battery if the tech brings up a "ran out of petrol, kept driving" code from the ECU.

I still looking for anyone who ran out with 2 bars on the fuel gauge.

[Prius 07]

Originally Posted by Eco-chic

I now know it was a problem with the bladder that caused me to run out, ...

Sorry to disagree but the bladder did not cause you to run out of fuel. The person driving did. Yes the bladder varies the usable fuel capacity of the Prius but timing of refueling should be based on what the gas gauge is telling you. The manual says fill-up when you're quarter full; lot of people here refill at two pips remaining and be even more urgent about it at one pip. When your last pip was flashing it was telling you refill now.
Enjoy your new car; most likely you won't have any issues unless you completely drained your battery and I would not tell your dealer about it.

[limetime13]

You won't need to "not tell" Toyota - they will see it in the computer.

I was wondering what DH stood for as I was reading your post. I've seen it in other posts and thought to myself "darling husband", "dear husband"??? BUT when I read on that yours had the brilliant idea to continue to try to drive just on the battery, I realized that your DH was [I had it typed here and then decided to remove it - a bit unkind]

Hope your car is okay. Sorry.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by Eco-chic

I've been searching the web trying to find out what my next move should be & I've read a couple of stories about running out of gas to the point that those warnings come on voids the warranty! Can this be true???...Should I tell toyota what happened? I'm scheduled for my first oil change in 3 days.

I would not recommend volunteering information about your out-of-fuel episode. If you would like to clear the stored fault codes, ask DH to disconnect the negative terminal of the 12V battery for a few minutes, then reconnect. It is probably easier to remove the negative cable where it is bolted to the body.

Then he will probably need to reinitialize the driver's side power window auto feature and reenter the radio station presets. To reinitialize the power window, lower the window to halfway open. Then raise the window until it is shut, and continue to hold the button in the up position for a couple of seconds. Then the auto function should work.

[Eco-chic]

Originally Posted by Prius 07

Sorry to disagree but the bladder did not cause you to run out of fuel. The person driving did. Yes the bladder varies the usable fuel capacity of the Prius but timing of refueling should be based on what the gas gauge is telling you. The manual says fill-up when you're quarter full; lot of people here refill at two pips remaining and be even more urgent about it at one pip. When your last pip was flashing it was telling you refill now.
Enjoy your new car; most likely you won't have any issues unless you completely drained your battery and I would not tell your dealer about it.

Don't take me too literaly, I know its always the driver's fault, but i've had the car less than two months & its my first with a bladder not a tank. I drove a 2000 dodge neon from the day it was new until I got the prius & believe when I tell you the gas gauge was MUCH more accurate, I got EXACTLY 311 miles out of an 11 gallon tank for 8 years. I have not been able to get the same number of miles out of a "full" tank of gas in the prius yet. For a newbie like me that takes a little getting used too, I know I'm not alone.


Thanks to everyone for the tips & advice, does anyone know for sure if all of the warning lights will go off without toyota resetting them?
I'm going to try filling it up & taking it for a ride now.
Thanks again

[Eco-chic]

~~~~~~~~~~~~UPDATE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just put another gallon in, started her up to go to the gas station & ALL OF MY WARNING LIGHTS ARE OFF!!!!!!THANK GOD!
Filled her up & everything seems fine! My battery charged right up to green & low & behold my lovely bladder(that I didn't even know I had until I found this forum in a panic last night) only allowed 8 gallons even though we KNOW it could have easily taken 10.5 or more to fill it.


I'm going to leave well enough alone with the computer & hope for the best.
Damn I love this car, I didn't slep a wink last night thinking my darling hubby ruined my brand new car, but I now I'm sure its the beginning of a very long, happy car/driver relationship

[TonyPSchaefer]

As I was reading through the thread, I was noticing that there were far more comments on running out of gas and and driver responsibility and not enough "answer the question."

The Prius will only recognize when three gallons or more of gas are pumped into the tank. I don't know why; perhaps someone else can explain that to me, but that's the way it is. As you discovered, you can start the car and drive with only one gallon but the lights will not reset until you have put more than three into the tank.

As for running out of gas. I've done it. I know several people here who have done it. Some intentionally testing the duration of the flashing pip and some accidentally. Forget about it. Life goes on.

Enjoy your Prius, welcome to Priuschat.