1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2004 prius question

Discussion in 'Toyota Prius Service Bulletins - TSBs' started by Cristen Thompson, Aug 26, 2013.

  1. Cristen Thompson

    Cristen Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2013
    21
    13
    0
    Location:
    Denver, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    i posted this same question over in the newbies forum but i thought i post it here to.

    i just got my first prius about a week ago and i'm having a little problem. at 250 miles my tank is about 3/4 the way empty...but my mpg is 43. am i going something wrong? i know they 2004 only get about 45-46mpg but this just seems off to me that i would use a full tank of gas on 250...i got a prius to avoid this problem because i was filling up my truck every week with 70 dollars of gas. i hope someone can give me some answers because i feel like i was lied to and ripped off right now...
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you'll be fine, no worries.:)
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    The North American Second Generation Prius has a bladder inside the gas tank that has a 'random' size and shape.
    In the summer in MS, I could get over 11 gallons in mine, I hear rumors of 6 gallons in MN in winter. The shape being random makes it extremely difficult to know when you are out of gas. I had it run dry only 7 miles after the last Pip started blinking once, yet drove it over 30 miles before that, while blinking.

    I caution you not to get too near empty too often, you will wind up out of gas. (Pull over if you run out, you will need to add at least 3 gallons, THEN try to start it)

    I would be panicky at one pip, and pulling into ANY gas station if it is blinking.

    If indeed you bought a Prius to visit gas stations less, you were indeed mislead, none of them have large gas tanks, as gas weighs a lot. They really excel at using very little gas. 400 miles per tank is a good guess once you start filling the tank yourself.

    (Btw, I have had the first PIP wait 160 miles to disappear, or go away in as little as 40 miles. Plan on getting gas at 2 pips, and never worry about how to restart a Prius you have run out of gas)

    ((For some number of owners, it was very difficult to pump gas without repeated shutoffs, I suggest you undo the cap, then begin the paying process, then pump gas. Having the cap off for awhile really seems to help))
     
  4. Cristen Thompson

    Cristen Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2013
    21
    13
    0
    Location:
    Denver, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    ...ok so i'm going to have fill up my tank every week still, is that what you're tell me? Super :'(
     
    theforceprius likes this.
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    You will have to console yourself with $30 visits, instead of $70 visits.

    I recommend fuelly.com to help you track your real mileage.
     
    Cristen Thompson likes this.
  6. Cristen Thompson

    Cristen Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2013
    21
    13
    0
    Location:
    Denver, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    which is improvement, i'll give you that. but i was told a different story at the dealership sadly
     
  7. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    The way to tell if a car dealer is lying, are his lips moving? They can't help themselves, I think they grow up to be politicians.

    If you get 46 MPG and your fill ups average just over 8 gallons, it will be 400 miles. More in summer, less in winter.
     
  8. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2013
    773
    228
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    A good chunk of getting good mileage in a Prius is how you drive it. I get about 60MPG in my 2005, partially because my commute is all under 40MPH, mainly because I know how to drive it. The average mileage for a 2005 on Fuelly is about 45-46MPG, I'm sure I could average 55MPG in most conditions because of the way I drive (and I don't drive like a slug, either). This article is a good place to start getting mileage tips for the Prius.
     
  9. Cristen Thompson

    Cristen Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2013
    21
    13
    0
    Location:
    Denver, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A


    ...then it seems i was indeed misled...
     
  10. Cristen Thompson

    Cristen Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2013
    21
    13
    0
    Location:
    Denver, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    THANKS!! i'll look into it :)
     
  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You are worried about cruising range but keep in mind you have one of the worlds cleanest cars. Part of that means small gas tank. You easily can get up 450 miles per tank in summer but it depends on the style of driving you are doing, also at 90F temps the bladder seems to allow 10-gallons in summer. Right now I am showing 51 MPG but it looks like I will only get 350-370 miles, because the last fill-up the pump stopped at 6 gal so I do not really have so much gaso in there this fill-up. We call it the "guess" tank on a Gen2, it is ultra clean becuase no emissions come out the flexible tank like they would out of fixed tank. We have a cool summer here so less up to 10-gal fill-ups. We will know global warming is upon us when Fuelly shows all Gen2 Prii start getting 10-gal fill-ups.

    Undoubtedly you may not have had a really full tank from the dealer.
     
    Cristen Thompson likes this.
  12. Cristen Thompson

    Cristen Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2013
    21
    13
    0
    Location:
    Denver, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    that article was extremely helpful, thank you!!
     
  13. Cristen Thompson

    Cristen Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2013
    21
    13
    0
    Location:
    Denver, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    just as another observation...it took almost 100 miles for the first bar on my odometer to go out and since then, the lights have been going out like crazy...is this common as well? my truck before this did not have a functioning gas gauge so i am just curious. it dropped from ten lights (full) to 3 light (i'm guessing 1/4 tank) in 4 days///
     
    theforceprius likes this.
  14. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Yes, due to the 'random' shape and size issue, the gas guage will NOT behave consistently, the Pips go away at odd intervals, as it folds and unfolds in there.

    It really does help it pollute less, but as you may notice, was not well loved by the owners. I still have trouble letting my new Prius v get to zero pips.
     
  15. Joe1987

    Joe1987 Cheyenne Joe

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2009
    38
    3
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four

    How many miles on your Prius?

    I've had my 2006 Prius since April 2009 and there are a few things I learned with regards to the MPGs. It took me several weeks to learn how to effectively drive a Prius. What with learning about coasting and keeping a light foot on the accelerator, etc.

    Plus there are a few things I did to help improve my MPGs:
    • Watch the tire pressure
    • Make sure the alignment is correct
    • Make sure the air filters are clean. Replace if necessary
    • Have the throttle body checked. A clean throttle body will give better gas mileage
    • Have the coolant in the Inverter replaced
    • You may want to think about a tune up if you are close to 100,00 miles.
    I have an 11 gallon gas tank and your tanks is probably the same capacity. I get around 45mpg in a suburban setting and about 48 on the highway. On a few occasions I've gotten as much as 56mpgs. The weather was moderately warm at the time and it was all highway driving. I may be wrong, but I believe that the outside temperature has an effect on the mpgs. I live in Florida.

    Hope this helps a little bit.
     
  16. Cristen Thompson

    Cristen Thompson New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2013
    21
    13
    0
    Location:
    Denver, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    She's a 2004 with around 112000 on her. She's used of course. I had them do a total tune up and had my mechanic approve it (my dad) before I signed any papers. Have trying to master the P/G technique with little success :( but I'll keep trying!!
     
  17. theforceprius

    theforceprius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2014
    25
    3
    0
    Location:
    Everett, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I bought my 04 used with 119,000 miles on it. I changed the plugs, PCV, oil and trans fluid. I average 47 in the winter and 54 in the summer. Yes the tank varies wildly. You'll get used to that. I have to fill up weekly as well, but it only cost me 12 to 18 bucks depending on gas prices.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i started with an '04, great year!
     
    theforceprius likes this.
  19. DebbyD

    DebbyD Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2013
    8
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    it could be that the prius gas tank is very small, i get 47.4 mpg but im not sure about how many miles to the tank full.pluss it only costs les than 20 dollars to fill it up. prices today were 1.98 gal. it cost me 17 dollars to fill up, just because your not getting the same miles as your other vehicle is the size of the gas tank... but beasured that you are getting 43- 45 to 46 mpg.....MR FIXXER
     
  20. jacobbrown740

    jacobbrown740 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2019
    13
    5
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    The prius will actually tell you on the middle display when you have 50 miles of fuel left, and the tanks are fuel cells meaning they have a rubber bladder, this contracts in the winter and wont let as much fuel in, my prius display screen is always optimistic by 2 mpg, always full fill and divide miles driven by gallons to fill back up

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.