gas-cap cover anomaly

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by Fenichel, May 2, 2026 at 4:34 PM.

  1. Fenichel

    Fenichel Junior Member

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    Every once in a while, I reach for the rear-hatch-release button and accidentally hit the adjacent button that opens the gas-cap cover. Pushing the cover closed a few seconds later should restore the pre-existing state, but it doesn't quite do that. At least most of the time, the brief opening of the cover affects the reading of the dashboard's indicator of km-to-fuel-tank-empty. I have taken notes only twice: Once the indicator jumped from 152 km to 215 km, and on another occasion it went from 612 km to 656 km.
    Has anyone else observed this phenomenon?
     
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  2. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    It probably depends on the grade of the slope where you are parked, which affects the fuel level in the tank. That’s why I always use the same pump when refueling. I didn’t know that opening the fuel-inlet lid resets the distance-to-empty range.
     
  3. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Far from ideal if you just pump three or four gallons when you're at ½ a tank
     
  4. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Senior Member

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    Perhaps it needs a little while to recalibrate.
     
  5. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    I believe calibration happens only once (a few seconds after you drive) after a fill-up. It is not dynamic like the electric-range estimate.
     
  6. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Senior Member

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    I’d warrant it gets more accurate a few miles down the road.
     
  7. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    I don’t think so. Try it for yourself after a fill-up. DTE is not dynamically updated as far as I know. By the way, I am the DTE record holder on PriusChat, having reached 768 miles in my 2021 Prius Prime Limited.

    What is your DTE after fill-up? | Page 6 | PriusChat
     
  8. Fenichel

    Fenichel Junior Member

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    No, it doesn't.
     
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