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How far do you go when the fuel gauge blinks?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by HLF-DZN, Feb 7, 2013.

  1. HLF-DZN

    HLF-DZN Junior Member

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    I'm new to the Prius. Just bought a 2010 last week. Trim II.

    I read on one of the threads that when the fuel gauge light starts blinking it means "stop and get gas." I thought they were being funny, but I wasn't completely sure. So, on my first day, the light started blinking. In a panic, I pulled into the first station as quickly as I could. It only took 9.5 gallons! If my calculations are correct, then I still had about 2.4 gallons in the tank -- or about 100 mile to go at my current pace.

    So my questions for you is not how far CAN you take the tank down, but how far DO you take the tank down.

    Do you take the tank down until it blinks? If so, how many miles do you go after it starts blinking?

    I'm not looking to break any records or push the envelope, but I'd like to adopt the method that you experienced drivers have been using.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    I typically used to know that I could go 100 miles after the last pip started blinking. It's a conservative gauge :)
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    And yes the forum matters, as my Gen 2 once ran dry in 7 miles from when I had a blinking Pip, while my v has about a one and a half gallons when it lights the low fuel light.
     
  4. HLF-DZN

    HLF-DZN Junior Member

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    I see a lot of threads about not running the tank dry, or too low, etc. But then so many people are talking about getting all the extra mileage on a tank. 600, 700, 800 clubs. They MUST be running it pretty close to dry.

    What does the "average" Prius Gen III driver do? What is your modus operandi?

    I'd appreciate a large sample of responses. Thanks.
     
  5. ElectronFlux

    ElectronFlux Junior Member

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    I've gotten as low as 7 miles to empty as indicated on the display. That fill-up was 9.88 gallons according to Fuelly
     
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    No Prius gets better gas mileage by running on empty. Very few of us can 'hold it' for over 600 miles any way.
     
  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    When my gas gauge starts blinking, I pull over and sleep it off....
    But I'm driving a Honda Fit, and the gas gauge isn't suppose to blink....so never mind.
     
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  8. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    If I'm in my normal driving area with lots of gas stations I normally switch the trip readout to miles remaining. There are between 19 and 30 miles remaining in mine at that point. If I have been driving steadily on level ground with no or mild corners then about 19 or 20 miles, if I have rocked the gas tank with spirited driving or in and out of steep driveways, then closer to 30 miles. I usually get gas at fairly close or just past 0 miles remaining. If I'm not near a gas station and confident that there are gas stations up ahead I have gone 30-40 miles past 0 miles remaining.

    My Gen III car takes a about 9.7-9.8 gallons at 0 miles remaining so I have 2 gallons left then.
     
  9. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    My PiP tank is slightly smaller but running the tank close to empty is just asking your fuel pump to work harder and to break sooner. As soon as I hit 1 pip, I fill up at next opportunity at my usual gas station. Since my commute is 106 miles round trip, that is the maximum distance I would go. That only happened one time and I filled up 8.7 gallons, the most I ever filled on 1 tank. That means I had 1.9 gallons remaining. I could've gone another 150 miles combined EV and HV. I see no reason to push it based on fuel pump longevity.
    How far can your car go on empty? - SFGate
     
  10. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    I generally fill up near home at about 100 miles remaining as I have a 92 mile roundtrip commute. On trips I start looking for gas at 50 miles remaining. In the winter, I try to keep the tank at 1/2 full or higher.
     
  11. HLF-DZN

    HLF-DZN Junior Member

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    Why keep it 1/2 full in the winter?
     
  12. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    Helps prevent condensation in the tank due to temperature changes, especially when the car may not be driven for a week due to bad weather.
     
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  13. attyjeff

    attyjeff Member

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    I have gone to 10 miles or so left on the display, I know not smart but needed to get closer to home.
     
  14. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    I fill when 2 pips left! never worry! :D
     
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  15. harp3333

    harp3333 New Member

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    I have gone as low as 3 miles of range left...one pip was blinking...filled up with 9.8 gal (I always stop when the pump clicks off and never try to squeeze more gas in). I assume then I have about 100 miles left to go before running out but am not prepared to "test" it. I average 48.5 mpg over ~400 miles of range on a fill up.
     
  16. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    The smartest answer in this entire thread. Running out of gas in a Prius is a bad thing! Just fill at 2 pips, you will NEVER run out! Why take chances you don't have to!!!
     
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  17. SimiPrius

    SimiPrius Member

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    My friend ran his PiP until empty. He went 150 miles with the light blinking.
     
  18. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    Fill up at 2 pips normally, don't need the drama.
     
  19. dwhopson

    dwhopson Junior Member

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    Are you referring to '0 miles remaining' in reference to the blinking pip on the gas gauge OR the distance-to-empty (DTE) gauge?
     
  20. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    The DTE. It is a stabler reading. The bar will start blinking on mine with anything from around 19 to 30 miles on the DTE depending on turning, braking, slopes etc. The DTE reading doesn't change as easily. I think the DTE reading is better damped by the computer