Full tank/Gas Bars showing/mpg

Terker, I did that on my first tank of fuel and was sweating making it to the fuel station at about the same distance as you. The acutal gap seems to be closer to two gallons untill the tank is truly full. I filled up this morning as well. I ran 500.4 miles and put 11.3 gallons of gas in the tank. I always top off untill fuel is at the top of the filler nech. I was actually surprised that the guage hadn't started flashing when I finished filling.

 

More explaining please...

Not sure if I understand. I usually get a blinking indicator saying I'm low on fuel, then I get a "LOW FUEL" warning on the screen at around 390 miles, but when I go to fill it, it only takes less than 9 gallons. I understand that this is a 11.9 gallon tank, so should I:

1) fill it up, then wait and try to fill it up more? is something down there 'settling' so that more fuel can be pumped into the tank?
2) go longer - like up to 500 miles - on one tank and then fill up?

I hate not knowing how this tank works - it's very confusing!

 

The bladder in the tank is what complicates the works. Temperature will also effect what you are able to put into the tank. The colder the temps, the stiffer the bladder.

Basically follow the suggestions I made in the previous post. Use the time to wash the windshield, check your oil level, walk around and inspect tires, etc... all things that should be part of a nearly daily routine anyway.

Do NOT ignore the low fuel warning. It is telling you that you are indeed low on fuel. You have to coax the last couple of gallons in the tank. It's a PITA to do this, but you'll get your full range this way. My typical refill in my classic is usually between 460 and 500 miles. As I'm used to driving diesel vehicles, the extra time really isn't noticed much by me unless I'm in a hurry.

 

I thought that I had read somewhere that you could damage the bladder if you forced fuel in after the autostop click on the fuel pump? Is this not the case? I can normally get another gallon in my 2003 Matrix after the first auto shutof, but I don't think it has a bladder. Thanks for the info.

Atoyot

 

I'm not sure how you could damage the bladder. It can only expand to the same shape and capacity as the fuel tank surrounding it. Nor is it under pressure. I can reliably bring the level right up to the top of the filler neck.

 

I've just filled up my 2004 Prius again with the last bar flashing.
To my surprise I was unable to fill more than 6.5 Gallons in the tank.
The 6.5 Gal. does however match the mileage and consumpion reading.
Avg. 31mpg 199miles. (San Francisco City driving most trips under 2 miles)
I have never been able to fill more than 7Gallon in the tank and I always drive until I get the refill message on the screen. I'm afraid my reading is off.

2004 AM Tideland pearl 1441miles since 10/29/03

 

Filled our tank yesterday after 60 miles on flashing guage, 54 degrees, 508 miles on tank, 2697 miles total on car, 48 mpg consumption screen average, 10.68 gals into the tank. All types of driving conditions except extreme cold and stop and go commuter stuff.

 

I just filled my '04 Prius today. As usual I could only get 8 gallons in which is 1-2 gallons more than I usually get. I had 235 miles on that tank but I usually fill on two pips on the dash. Others on the forum says that it fills better if you hold the nozzle at the 3 o'clock position. It seems to work.

Have you ever have a big flow back out of the cars filler? Not pretty and could be dangerous. Here's how I caused it. I filled the tank to the click out. I slightly pulled the nozzle out almost all the way. Now I could baby feed the fuel in and I can hear a sucking sound. That sound comes from the vacuum system in the nozzle to reduce gas fumes. (It will suck out the fuel you just put in too!) Eventually you can totally fill the tank.

Guess what, if the bladder can expand, it will deflate too. That squeezes out the fuel you just put in.
When that happens you want to press the nozzle back in. Then grab the fuel cap and put it near the filler, remove the nozzle and quickly put the cap on.
So be careful when filling your Prius, or you might have a fried to a crisp Prius.

 

I drove 535 miles on one tank today. At only 44.8 mpg (70-75 mph. I drove till I had one bar left. The last pip wasn't even flashing. Very odd. Was going to go till the flashing pip but I was to scared since I've never driven that far on one tank! Murfreesboro TN to almost Jacksonville Fl