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I Want to Determine How Much Fuel is Left With One Flashing Blin

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ydpplqbd, Nov 4, 2019.

  1. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    To the PC OP thread.... when you are aware of the first blink (low fuel) 1or maybe 2 gallons may remain in the Gen2 fuel tank likely driving range of 50-60 miles …. depending of variable factors of driving habits, ambient temps, vehicle condition, and etc....If you go complete out and set OBD DTC codes ….and you have entered a whole new threshold of issues....
     
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  2. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    It took 5 pages before someone brought up the fact that a Prius gets lower mileage in cold temperatures. You guys are slipping.

    OP if you click on someone’s name, like say Sam Spade 2 there is an option to ignore that user. Just sayin. :whistle:
     
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  3. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Nice that the thread is back on topic, too. It veered off-topic somewhere on page 2, post 35.

    OCD, navigation systems, cell phones, cell phone plans, VW's, spare engines ...

    Perhaps one could ask a basic question, "Is this on topic?" before posting. And I note, not a newbie in sight, OP excluded. Even I got sucked into the OT vortex, so I'm talking to me too.
     
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  4. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Thanks for the heads-up. For now, let SS2 have his fun.
     
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  5. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    Thanks for the heads up.

    Please explain to me how we are going to be setting off DTC codes when the vehicle is off (likely with both batteries disconnected depending on the fuel extraction method). And the fuel being poured back into the tank immediately after extracting the last bit.
     
    #85 ydpplqbd, Nov 8, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2019
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you run out of gas, the car continues to drive on the hybrid battery. it's not always easy to know, and i can't remember if dash lights came on in my gen2 when i ran out and kept driving, or not until the battery ran down and forward progress was halted
     
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  7. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Just remember it’s harder on your fuel pump running so low as it’s cooled by the surrounding fuel. If your fuel pump goes out you have to replace the entire gas tank, you can replace just the pump or filter or sending unit. One thing goes entire tank has to be replaced.
     
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  8. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Once the original question has been answered or more or less dealt with?
    It may not be the best of internet discussion forum protocol, but I often like it when a thread veers off and takes on a life of it's own.

    Some of the most dynamic, interesting discussions I've ever participated in, came in threads that started out talking about an Oil Change, but ended up talking about.....whatever you can imagine.

    That being said?
    Yes, we should pay attention to the original query.

    But I like it when within that agenda...you discover things like shared experiences with vintage VW bugs. Even if it does then bifurcate off the original path.
     
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  9. John321

    John321 Senior Member

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    Some may have already mentioned that the Gen 2 tank has a bladder that holds the gas pumped into the tank. The amount the bladder holds depends on the outside temperatures. When it gets really cold outside my Gen 2 gas tank didn't hold much more than 7 gallons.

    The Gen 2 gas gauge is a percentage of the tank that is full.

    Your experiment may give you the amount of gas the tank holds at that exact time. Temperature conditions, the tank bladder pliability will all change with different conditions and so will the exact amount of gas that 1 flashing bar symbolizes.

    We owned a 2008 Gen 2 Prius. My normal routine was to never let it get below a 1/2 tank or the mid bar. The exception was when going on long trips.

    Most would agree that the Gen 2 Prius gas gauge is a rough approximation at best. Driving with only a flashing bar is an unnecessary risk for most people.

    However it is certainly your car and your prerogative to manage your fill ups in a way that works for you. Keep in mind as winter approaches you may have much less gas in your tank than you anticipate with a flashing bar.
     
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have we determined the fuel quantity after 90 posts?
     
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  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Nope:rolleyes:.

    But what’s new(y).
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nothing
     
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  14. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    So much discouragement from the community may not make OP so eager to post results or even go through with the experiment.
     
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Our work is done. :whistle:
     
  16. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    So, who makes this judgement?
    It is more than "not the best", it is downright disrespectful.
    You, maybe. Me, not so much. My bugbear with going off-topic, is more for the people who come after, maybe researching a problem having to read through pages and pages of irrelevant posts. Take this thread for example, almost 2/3 of it is irrelevant.

    We should show respect for the OP and their thread. We should not take it upon ourselves to decide the thread is done and then just shoot the breeze in their threads. Start a thread in FHOP to talk about vintage cars etc.
     
  17. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    To the OP PC …. …. Not sure if you are going to drain the fuel bladder tank or driving the vehicle after last blink .. My response was based on driving... Not easy on vehicle either way …..
    Please consider the following
    fuel lubricates the fuel pump
    driving without fuel discharges aux battery and HV battery
    Scan Gauge 2 Toyota specific X Gauges has edit Gas Gauge 05AC...010582A40000 RXF that will give percent update
    » TOYOTA – LEXUS – SCION
     
  18. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I don't think it is the intention of the OP to drive the car or even run the ICE with no fuel in the tank. It was simply one idea he had to measure the remaining fuel. I understood that once the fuel was quantified, it would be put straight back into the tank.