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New owner & question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by beachbaby902, Aug 17, 2014.

  1. beachbaby902

    beachbaby902 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2014
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    Location:
    Harrisburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I just recently trade in my 07' Aura that was costing me around $250-300+ a month in gas. I was lucky to see 25pmg.

    I bought a practically brand new 09' package 5 in red. It has 37k on it currently. Drives great and the car claims its gets great mpg. The display when i got it was avg. 48mpg and i've kept it around 49-51mpg on my drive.
    The first time i filled it up, i was just under a half tank. I believe it was one bar under half a tank. I filled it up till it clicked, and only about 6 gallons went in. (I'm not sure if the trip was reset when i drove off the dealer lot or not, i don't believe it was because when i filled up i had about 340 some miles and when calculated said about 60mpg or 80mpg)
    Anyways, filled up for the second time yesterday, this time only one bar was left before it was completely on E and only about 6 gallons went in and it said it was full. Since last night till today, i put 68 miles on it and currently went down 2 bars. Displays says i'm getting 48mpg, as i was doing a lot of small trips in the beginning. And stopping and going.

    I read a little about the car having a bladder and some people really having an issue with putting gas in the car. I don't see how it could only take and only need 6 gallons when its on empty. But my questions is, the car has a bumper to bumper warranty on it since i bought it certified pre-owned. If i bring this issue up to the dealer, is it likely to have any resolution or just a "its a Prius thing, get use to it"

    My only other concern with the car is the bluetooth, sometimes talking on the bluetooth it sounds like the car window is down and blowing in the microphone...or a toilet flushing on the phone. Has anyone else had this issue?

    Sorry to have such a long first post! But heres the picture i took when i picked the car up at the dealer!
     

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    #1 beachbaby902, Aug 17, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! congrats, she looks like a beauty. unfortunately, you're gonna get the 'it's a prius thang' at the dealer, so don't bother. there are some techniques you can try to get more gas in such as, removing the filler cap and waiting a minute or two for the pressures to equalize, pumping as slowly as possible, and try different pumps/stations to find one that works best and stick with it. all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 17, 2014
  3. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    It's a chronic Gen II problem, no fix available, you just live with it, there are some suggestions on how to mitigate the problem, but that's all you can do. They got rid of the bladder for the Gen III's.
     
    #3 Munpot42, Aug 18, 2014
  4. tanglefoot

    tanglefoot Whee!

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Try using just the first click on the gas pump handle to pump the gas more slowly. Still, it doesn't take much to fill up. The most I've ever filled was about 7.5 gallons.

    On the strange gauge behavior, you can try disconnecting the 12v system for a few minutes (either at the aux battery in the trunk or at the underhood jump-start terminal) and then reconnecting it to reset the computers. Otherwise, try a few more fillups and see how the gauge behaves. It's a strange gauge, no question.

    The fuel economy average runs from the last time the "reset" button was pressed. If it's reset once the car is already warmed up, it's entirely possible to see short-term averages of 80+ or even 99 (as high as it reads). Tank averages of 60+ are also possible, with some hypermiling techniques.

    Enjoy, and welcome!
     
    #4 tanglefoot, Aug 18, 2014
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    N/A
    PA is a so-called "standard CARB" state which means it's a CARB state but the HV battery only gets the regular guarantee (8-yrs 100k miles). You'll have to check the 2009 warranty for Pa. coverage specifics I guess some parts might qualify for CARB extension (10-yrs 150k miles).

    In any case, the "guess" tank, I mean gas tank is not a warranty issue. In the summer we usually get 8.5 gallons from empty, maybe rarely 9.0 if really empty. In the winter only maybe 7.5 gals usually. Sometimes you will notice a particular gas pump really cuts off too soon. When its really full I notice as much as 150 miles before the first PiP goes away. So sounds like you got a long fill the first time and short fill the second time.

    See my write-up on CARB Warranty Ins-and-Outs...Toyota has special qualfiication rules that say your car must have been orginally purchased in a CARB state and registered in a CARB state and so on...if you want to explore your coverage.
     
    #5 wjtracy, Aug 18, 2014
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i was thinking, have you tried raising the windows and not flushing the toilet when you're on bluetooth?
     
    #6 bisco, Aug 18, 2014
  7. beachbaby902

    beachbaby902 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2014
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    Location:
    Harrisburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I'll try to slowly pump gas when i get some again. When i filled up the second time i waited a couple mins before filling up but it didnt seem to do much i suppose.

    I guess its really not a major problem that i have to put 20 bucks a week in for 6 gallons of gas and still get 300-400 miles lol
     
    #7 beachbaby902, Aug 18, 2014
  8. Prius408

    Prius408 Junior Member

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    2005 Prius
    Model:
    One
    I put in 8.22 gallons when it was almost empty. I think it was 1 bar left... and paid $33.56 on premium.
     
    #8 Prius408, Aug 19, 2014
  9. Fifine

    Fifine Member

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    GORGEOUS car!!!

    I'm still waiting to fill the tank for the 1st time - new owner of a used 2008 - so happy to know it may be less than $20!!!
     
    #9 Fifine, Aug 19, 2014
  10. beachbaby902

    beachbaby902 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2014
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    Location:
    Harrisburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I just filled up again, it was a little under a half a tank and it only took 4 gallons this time.

    I see a bunch on fuelly.com that seem to fill up like a normal car. So you may actually be able to fill up and spend a decent amount.
     
    #10 beachbaby902, Aug 19, 2014
  11. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Vehicle:
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    More voodoo for you

    Try filling up at the warmest part of the day. The bladder will be the most flexible.

    Being in the deep south, I occasionally got over 10 gallons in, and once 11. I also got about 160 miles before the first Pip disappeared. Much less in 'winter' (it did get below 20F once) Good Luck!
     
    #11 JimboPalmer, Aug 19, 2014
  12. beachbaby902

    beachbaby902 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2014
    13
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    Location:
    Harrisburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    So i'm begining to wonder if its a bladder or display issue. The gas gauge seems to quickly fall to half a tank, then very slowly go down. Saturday i filled up and got 30 miles before the first bar went away, on the same tank of gas i am currently at 164 miles and two bars below half a tank.

    It seems i go less then 100 miles on the first half of the tank and the last half at least 200 miles. I usually fill up around 300 miles. And it only lets me to fill up between 4-6 gallons. When i calculate the mpg from miles and the amount i put in, i'm consistently averaging around 60mpg mark. (Is this possible for driving mostly highway? The car says i avg around 49-53mpg)

    Its just rather annoying, i feel like the car only has a 5 gallon tank, I thought by buying this car i wouldn't be filling up every week.
     
    #12 beachbaby902, Aug 26, 2014
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    sounds like the bladder. can you slowly fill tip the gas is at the neck?
     
    #13 bisco, Aug 26, 2014
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