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How much gas is left in the tank when the light comes on?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Fuel Economy' started by krmcg, Oct 10, 2016.

  1. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    In my experience, I have determined that my 2016 Prius has about 1.75 gallons of usable gas left in the tank when the light comes on. This table from "Your Mechanic" provides a close confirmation of my opinion. (Although the miles per gallon is considerably less than I am able to achieve).
    How%20Far%20Can%20You%20Drive%20Your%20Vehicle%20on%20Empty%20-%202%20chart%20REVISED.jpg
    https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-far-can-you-drive-your-vehicle-on-empty-by-brady-klopfer?utm_campaign=Weekly+Digest+10.10.16+OUT+OF+Service+Area+%28tNENHT%29&utm_medium=email&_ke=a3JtY2dAbXNuLmNvbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=10.10.16+OUT+OF+Service+Area
     
    #1 krmcg, Oct 10, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2016
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    isn't it in the o/m?
     
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  3. Sooner Al

    Sooner Al Active Member

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    FWIW my Prius v Three gas light came on the other day while on the way home from Dallas. Based on the quantity of gas I filled up with the tank had 1.92 gallons left in the tank. The light came on as I was going down a short hill towards the station after I got off of the interstate highway if that matters.
     
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  4. GaryD1

    GaryD1 Active Member

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    My experience so far has been that I can get close to 11 gal of gas in car when light comes on. If there is 1.6 gal of usable gas left, then that would mean that my tank and filler neck will hold 12.6 gal. I'm using different pump so they can't all be calibrated wrong, or my gas tank reading is wrong. I put 10.7 gal in last week and light had not come on. stopped at first click pumping slow.
     
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  5. ongbenghui

    ongbenghui Junior Member

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    Was there a guideline of around 10% of fuel left for the warning light to pop up ?
     
  6. Elt31987

    Elt31987 Active Member

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    i dont like getting this low, but my last fill up was at 3 miles to empty (DTE) and 9.9 gallons went in.
     
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  7. GaryD1

    GaryD1 Active Member

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    I can put 11 gallons in my 2016 pumping slow, stop at first click at 3 miles to go.
     
  8. sjr14221

    sjr14221 Member

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    Four tanks into ownership, I've only been able to get up to ten gallons in the tank one the light has come on and the trip screen tells me I have zero miles left. And unlike my gen two, when the gas pump clicks off, the tank is fill. No topping off - much to my horror as gasoline spilled down my shiny new paint!

    Previously, I could expect to go at least another 80 miles when the light came on. Will have to test the limits for this new car. Ok, so I didn't actually answer your question....sorry!
     
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  9. raspy

    raspy Senior Member

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    This is an interesting review from Autotrader in South Africa, the reviewer actually managed to drive an additional 80km, after the DTE was down to 0km.


     
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  10. KV55

    KV55 Member

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    I have been slowly matching my bravery to my curiosity and at my last refueling I drove into the petrol station with 1 mile DTE showing, the low fuel warning light had been on for about 25 miles. I added 38.4 litres with a couple of clicks and that points to 4 litres remaining, bearing in mind not all of this will be available but clearly there are more than 20 miles in there (on a warm engine).
     
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  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I hope you carry a fuel can with at least 12 litres of petrol. In the US Generation 3 Prius, people found you needed to add 3 US gallons after running out of fuel.
     
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  12. KV55

    KV55 Member

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    How far had those people gone on the reserve? The four litres I am seeing would give me another 68 miles but the question is how much of that fuel is available, surely not all of it. If I found myself on the wrong side of the DTE-zero I would be confident of making another 20 miles, which can be the distance between petrol stations in the rural areas.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe this thread is in the wrong forum? Apart from slight weight reduction as you near empty, I don't see any mpg advantage, to running the tank near-dry. Maybe Priuschat needs a "Darwin Awards" forum?
     
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  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    What sort of award for @bwilson4web then? "Devil for Punishment"? :D :LOL:
     
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  15. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    'Rural' means different things in different places:
    Even the Trans-Canada Highway has a similarly long segment without fuel, from Golden to Revelstoke.
     
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  16. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    I like your thinking, but the DARWIN AWARDS are reserved for those successfully removing themselves from the human gene-pool by inherntly foolish and unnecessary means. Thereby removing an irrelevant mutation from further breeding stock. :rolleyes:

    Darwin Awards. Chlorinating The Gene Pool.
     
    #16 RCO, Jun 20, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2017
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  17. greenmonster01

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    Good to know... My spare gas can is only 2 gallons :(
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and make sure the spout fits through the inside flap, some are too large in diameter.
     
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no problem, there's plenty of petrol left ate dte=0. pip has 2+ gallons. i rarely fill up before the last bar flashes, but it's only a 10 gallon tank.
     
  20. KV55

    KV55 Member

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    As an observation the DTE miles are short so if it says 50 miles to empty and you have 50 miles to go the fuel won't normally cover it. I went four miles past DTEzero at the last refuel, the DTE display changes to a series of dashes --- so if this happens you need to set a trip counter to keep track of where you are.