Gas Fill Up

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMichSr @ Feb 6 2007, 04:25 PM) [snapback]386338[/snapback]</div>

From your post, it sounds as you already know that this is a temperature sensitive bladder tank. I have experienced at least a 1-2 gallon difference between full on cold vs. warm days. Even the dealer told me that. If someone else fills your tank, you can not be certain how much could or should have been added because of rate. We have some gas stations that the pumps run fast even on 1/2 speed. Also, I have noticed if it does shut off prematurely, I can not get any more in it anyway. There are many posts on here regarding overfilling and the bladder. Other than the mentioned known problems I have had, it is a good system but your lifetime mileage average will be a better indicator than tank to tank. You may find a station or two that the pumps are not reliable for you and those that are. Enjoy that new Prius!

 

<_< Many posts in PriusChat comment that the Guess Gauge does not reset unless you add approximately 3 gallons of fuel or more. One Prius peculiarity is the Guess Gauge, like most cars it is not linear and with the fuel bladder, ambient temperature has an effect on how much fuel you can pump - the bladder gets stiffer in colder temperatures.

Since there some variables, thinking your tank is half full since there are half the pips showing is inaccurate.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMichSr @ Feb 6 2007, 05:25 PM) [snapback]386338[/snapback]</div>

Welcome to the site. I believe in subfreezing temperatures the gauges "guess" and MFD are more unreliable. Here are some tips to help with mpg.

1. Pump gas as slow as you can to get the most in the tank.
2. Inflate tires to 42 front/40 rear.
3. Block the grill. Look for the thread "My first day with a blocked grill" for several techniques.
4. I set the temp on 70F and the car feels comfortable. Turn heater off when stopped.

Run the tank down to 1 or 2 pips. This is the season for low MPG. You'll see a big improvement in the spring.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Feb 6 2007, 05:43 PM) [snapback]386470[/snapback]</div>

What is your reasoning for turning off the heater? How do you turn off your heater?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Feb 7 2007, 12:18 AM) [snapback]386571[/snapback]</div>

On the Climate screen I press the Off button when stopped at a light as the ICE is running just for cabin heat.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Feb 7 2007, 08:10 PM) [snapback]386758[/snapback]</div>

What is "ICE" - I've seen that referred to on a number of posts. I'm new to this forum and a 2007 new Prius owner so just learning about things.....

 

ICE= internal combustion engine.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Feb 7 2007, 08:10 PM) [snapback]386758[/snapback]</div>

The other way is to push the a/c button above the temp up/down on the steering wheel. Most times you will hear the ICE shut off almost instantly. I usually turn on the heat ( with the same button ) when I get up to speed and shut it off as I come to a stop.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CarolDM @ Feb 7 2007, 09:24 PM) [snapback]386764[/snapback]</div>

CarolDM,

Welcome to the site. It's also the stuff on the road you can get stuck in.

Tons of good information and a lot of helpful people here. Enjoy learning about the car and enjoy just driving it. You'll find it takes care of itself. You'll also enjoy not going to the gas station as often.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Feb 8 2007, 09:51 PM) [snapback]387257[/snapback]</div>

Well it's kind of weird because I am going to the gas station twice as often now - my previous car, a Camry, went two weeks on a tank and now I have to fill up every week because, I assume, it's a much smaller tank. And I'm only getting about 32-33 MPG so far with one week at 42 where I had some highway miles.

 

I just filled up for the 2nd time.

I had to flip the pump handle upside-down inorder to keep it from tripping. I was able to pump fast until 9 gallons, since my gauge had 1 solid bar.

I then continued filling slowly until it was "full" with no loss of fuel.
It took 10.514 gal.

My 1st fillup took 10.127 gal, but that was after running out of fuel and MG motoring to the pump.

Though this fillup Display showed 41.8 mpg, the math for 373.4 miles is 35.5 mpg.

Since I haven't practiced P&G very well, I suppose I shouldn't be hungup on the numbers, and just enjoy the car.

 

Thanks to the fuel bladder, the only way to hand calculate MPG with an acceptable degree of accuracy is over many fuelings. Too many variables and imponderable factors affect a single fueling - ambient temperature, sensitivity of the nozzle "cut off" setting, calibration of the pump itself, patience of the one pumping gas, etc.

The more fuelings, the lower the inaccuracies over time. With >2½ years of Prius driving, I have found the MFD MPG readings over 98% accurate compared to the hand calculated, I consider that "close enough for government work."

 

I have about 3000 miles on my 07 Package 4, and I'm having the same frustration with fillups as everyone else here in northern New Jersey and NE PA. I'm closing in on 48 mpg (according to the gauge), but only getting 7.5 to 8 gal on a fill-up on an "empty" gauge. I drive 45 miles to work every weekday on the interstate. I understand the cold outside temps affect the bladder; can someone post a link to the ways to block the radiator to help engine temps? Will I get better results with a "mid-grade" fillup, or a different brand? Should I look for stations in particular areas, instead of filling up at the one with the cheapest gas? I still get 375 miles on my 8 gallons, instead of the 275 I was getting from 10 gallons with my 2000 Saturn.

 

On my first two tanks (the dealer's and my first) I found that I needed to refuel after about a week. My old Camry initially went about a week and a half between refills. Towards the end though its life though the mileage had slipped so much (due to some issue I never tracked down) that I was actually filling it up twice a week (and this was after letting the gauge go all the way to "E").

On my last fillup for the Prius I actually went 10 days and probably could've waited one more day. The warmer weather and maybe the "break in" period definitely seem to help.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NE PA Steve @ Mar 18 2007, 12:16 PM) [snapback]407896[/snapback]</div>

Look for the thread "My first day with a blocked grill" for the full 3 credit course. There isn't one "right way" to do it as the three pics show. It depends on what you find in the store, your aptitude, and your sense of style. I used twist ties to secure the bottoms. The tops are compression fit. Nothing is glued to the car.

Don't waste your money on anything above 87 octane. The car won't run any better or efficiently. Different brands use different formulations which may make a difference. If you have a Shell station on your route you probably can't beat the 5% rebate on their MasterCard. In NJ Shell is $2.439 ($2.317 after rebate) while the cheapest no-name gas is $2.359. I think other oil companies are now sponsoring credit cards with rebates on their products.

Inflating your tires to 42/40 (or higher) will also help fuel economy.

I'm not sure how flat your interstate commute is. (I'll bet on "not very".) Going across Ohio & Indiana I got 45mpg in August. The car was brand new and the tires were soft. It sounds like you are doing a pretty good job. These tips may not improve fuel economy but I believe they kept mine from getting worse as my winter numbers are lifetime average.