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Gas Tank Question

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by mkesquire, Mar 16, 2012.

  1. mkesquire

    mkesquire New Member

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    Location:
    Milwaukee
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have driven over 4,000 miles in my 2011 II, base. The guide says I have an 11.9 gallon tank. But every time I fill up, and I mean every time, it is only 9.7 or 9.8 gallons. And I wait until the last pip is blinking and flashing at me. What the heck is going on?

    On a side note, since the warm up I learned how to glide and am getting around 56 mpgs on the current tank. I live in Wisconsin.
     
    #1 mkesquire, Mar 16, 2012
  2. Soldmytruck

    Soldmytruck Junior Member

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    Location:
    Portland, OR
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    2011 Prius
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    II
    That is standard. One owner says he drives about 100 miles after the light starts blinking befor he fills up.

    I just filled up for the first time after letting the "miles to empty" figure get to ZERO and gues what.............9.8 gallons.
     
    #2 Soldmytruck, Mar 16, 2012
  3. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    IV
    Wouldn't it be awful if you drove the car and the Miles to Zero went to Zero AND the car stopped!

    Car manufacturers (for decades) have built in a reserve into the gas tank, such that when the gas tank indicator reads "Empty" there is usually a gallon or two left over as reserve so the driver can get to the nearest gas station and refuel.

    When the DTE = 0 miles, you will typically have 1.8 - 2 gallons left in the tank. That gives you about 90 - 100 miles range to get to a gas station.
     
    #3 Codyroo, Mar 16, 2012
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Completely normal. Lots of threads about it here. It there wasn't a safety margin below the low fuel warnings, a huge number of drivers would misjudge the remaining fuel range and get stranded by dry tanks.

    The primary Gen3 thread for this was started by Bob Wilson, who runs cars out of fuel for fun and sport: [WARNING] Running out of gas (Gen III).
     
    #4 fuzzy1, Mar 16, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  5. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #5 cwerdna, Mar 16, 2012
  6. Priuswagon

    Priuswagon I love my Prius

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    Nov 16, 2011
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    Location:
    Kingston Washington
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Last week I tried to drive to zero and my car said 9.8 gallons when I filled it up.
     
    #6 Priuswagon, Mar 16, 2012
  7. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Location:
    seaside, oregon
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    Model:
    III
    True capacity when filled up to the filler neck, where
    you can see standing fuel, is probably over 13 gallons.

    When the gas pump click off on auto you can still
    nurse in 2 extra gallons filling it right up to
    the top of the neck.

    I know this a no no by most people...
     
    #7 alfon, Mar 16, 2012
  8. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    ----USA----
    I have done the same thing for drives from San Bernardino to Reno, and vice versa, on Hwy 395 (about 500 miles). I've never had a problem and it beats the high cost of gas in this remote part of the western US.
     
    #8 mad-dog-one, Mar 16, 2012
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