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Nonlinear gas gauge?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Technical Discussion' started by UltraJetRefill, Mar 14, 2018.

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  1. bbald123

    bbald123 Thermodynamics Law Enforcement

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    Dry fuel pumps and water condensing into the fuel tank are very real negative side effects of drawing your tank down too far, that's for sure.
     
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  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    .
     
    #22 fuzzy1, Mar 20, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2018
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Apparently you are unfamiliar with OBDII-port engine monitors such as ScanGauge-II, which allow the driver to closely monitor fuel burn rates, and develop a very good feel for it in various weather conditions and on various mountain routes.

    Even the fuel consumption displays of a Prius are quite helpful for this, if one wishes to pay sufficient attention.
    Come visit Washington State's Puget Sound area sometime to see the disparities I speak of.

    Or, take a look at Seattle Gas Prices - Find Cheap Gas Prices in Washington . As I write this, the full spread is $0.86/gallon. The Shoreline Costco and Shoreline Shell, under 2 miles apart, are $0.80/gal different, and I have spotted them a full $1 different numerous times. Even the 76 across the street from Costco is $0.50 higher.

    Then go pull up GasBuddy's map of individual station prices around Seattle. "Within a few percent of each other" is pure hogwash. Now try driving across the state, watching spreads in more sparsely served areas.

    On a ski trip, yesterday I filled up the household's Subaru in Carson NV for $2.57/gal, before entering California. The lone and very isolated station in Bridgeport was $4.69. Mono had an even higher price, though a competing station a couple blocks away was a bit lower. In Mammoth Lakes, the lowest price today is $3.87.

    I didn't know that you got to determine the price sensitivities and budget allocations for everyone else. That reeks of the upper level managers at my former workplace who thought that the cafeteria prices were very reasonable, at least compared to normal restaurants in the nearest community, and were quite baffled about why the majority of family-supporting and much-lower-paid line workers brought sack lunches instead of purchasing in the cafeteria. (This concerned the managers because the low patronage was hurting the economics of the in-plant food service.)

    ... to You.

    You don't speak for me, and clearly don't understand where I'm coming from, which has been explained in many past threads.

    How many readers here remember the news stories from the OPEC oil embargo in 1973? One repeat topic was coverage of families that had strong reason to make certain long car trips on days that they could not legally refuel.
     
    #23 fuzzy1, Mar 20, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2018
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  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I was using Bob Wilson as my 'canary in a coal mine' for this. Between two Prii, he intentionally ran dry more than 50 times. He never mentioned needing to replace a fuel pump, or anything else related. If running low is really a problem, he ought to be at vastly higher risk than me.

    I will admit, both my Honda (since sold when I bought my first Prius) and my spouse's Acura (still with us at 29 years) did need new fuel pumps at age 20 years. But all our other cars, we needed to replace the entire car earlier than that.
     
  5. bbald123

    bbald123 Thermodynamics Law Enforcement

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    Dude, chill. I merely expressed my feelings that this whole exercise was not worth the effort. I explained my reasoning based on MY experience. Your differs. Good. Let's move on.
     
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  6. KV55

    KV55 Member

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    The fuel gauge is linear once it gets moving but there will be variation in mpg caused by journey length and temperature etc.
     
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Then don't dig in so hard on OTHERS, including disparaging their spending-savings habits.
     
    #27 fuzzy1, Mar 21, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2018
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  8. bbald123

    bbald123 Thermodynamics Law Enforcement

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    Since disagreeing with you seems to make you feel threatened in some way, I'll fix it. I've blocked you and won't see anything you write and thus won't be in a position to make you feel uncomfortable again.
     
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  9. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Ok guys. Time for a puff off the peace pipe, I think. There's enough trouble in the world without you pitching in.
     
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  10. bbald123

    bbald123 Thermodynamics Law Enforcement

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    Pipe puffed. Problem resolved.