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142MPG? I need some help here.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by anti-gas, Apr 1, 2008.

  1. anti-gas

    anti-gas Reduce, Reuse and Conserve

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    My wheels are whatever came stock on the Package 5 car. I don't know if they are bigger or smaller. I think it is safe to assume, they are the same as all other 2008 Prius cars.

    As far as the fuel gauge is concerned, I wish that they reported all but the last 2 gallons on the fuel gauge. I prefer to think I am out, long before I am actually out.

    For the person who stated we still get about the same miles per fill up in the Prius than we would in another car, not true. My other car was an SUV, I get WAY more per fill-up in my Prius with almost 1/2 the gas. I used to get 200 miles per fill-up around town and some highway miles, with my Prius its 380-450 per fill up and I still have 3-4 bars remaining. I will be filling up at 2-3 bars all the time now. Its better to never be in danger of running out of petro!

    Thanks all.
     
  2. berinker

    berinker New Member

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    I have found that it also determines on how you fill your tank.
    After the pump stops (indicating full) I can still feed in about
    another 1-1/2 gallons till the gas shows up at the neck which
    will amount to about 150 miles and from then on each dot
    on the fuel gage seems to amount to about a gallon. BUT
    you have to be very careful filling the tank all the way
    up and let it vent or the fuel bag will pressurize and
    spew out gas when you pull out the filler nozzle.
    Bud
     
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You're living dangerously here mate. Could be a costly mistake in the future. :)
     
  4. berinker

    berinker New Member

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    Well, I have been filling the tank that way since I bought the car in the fall
    without any type of a problem. But, you may be right with the summer heat.
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If you fill the fuel tank to the brim then park in the summer heat, the gasoline will expand and may force its way into the charcoal canister (which is bad enough) or into the air space between the bladder and the gas tank (which requires replacing the tank).
     
  6. HighBreed

    HighBreed Member

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    I've seen 145 miles in mine before the first pip dropped out. I've also seen 89 miles. What I've found out was it all balances out near the end.
     
  7. rsforkner

    rsforkner Member

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    I just read through all the posts in this thread and a couple of things bothered me. Or, maybe I just missed something. (2008, #2 package, standard Prius)

    I did my FIRST fill up a few days ago. The dealer said, "...a full tank of gas." At the fill the odometer said 520 and I put in 10.12 gallons. Driving was about 50-50 highway(75mph) and city/rural streets. The odometer had 10 miles on it when I drove it off the lot.

    Sounds like I did well. The last PIP was blinking when I stopped for gas.

    Also, I thought I read in these forums that the newer Prius' did not have a bladder. Maybe I'm just getting old..... <sigh>

    Bob
     
  8. kfs2840

    kfs2840 Junior Member

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    I would go by miles driven since last fill.
     
  9. AnailizeR

    AnailizeR Junior Member

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    I have been keeping track of my gas stops and my lowest was 652mpg on my tank and highest was 692mpg .. it just takes a bit getting used to..
     
  10. PriusSport

    PriusSport senior member

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    I just filled up for the first time on a new Prius at my local Shell station tonite. Or should I say topped off after the first 141.0 miles. My average mpg readout said 47.9 mpg.My calculated mpg based on gallons purchased (2.153) is 65.5! Note this is my first fillup of a brand new car with 141 miles. 65 vs 48 mpg is quite a discrepancy. About .8 gallons or so. The gas gauge reads full. I've filled up at this station many times with other cars. I tend to believe the 48 mpg number. What could be the problem? I do not top off beyond the auto shutoff. Seems as thought the tank didn't fill completely, though the gas gauge says so.

    Maybe the Toyota dealer filled the tank more than the Shell auto shutoff did. That has to be the answer. The car came with a full tank.
     
  11. Fraser

    Fraser New Member

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    I fill our 2002 Taurus at about 1/4 mark, a habit I developed while travelling with our 97 F250 Powerstroke. I usually get in 11-12 gallons with two extra clicks. But once in a while I really pound the fuel in there. Makes for lower MPG on the trip, and higher the next time I fill more normally. But I don't really worry about how mnay gallons go in, other than to calculate MPG. And as someone else has said, I know my car. I don't try to drive it dry; I just drive it and fill up (today was the first -- and last; new Prius is due in early June -- $50 fillup!!). ANd I'll do the same with the Prius. Trying to run out fo gas to prove a point is wonderful on a test track; not so great when you're on the open and unknown road.
     
  12. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Correct. This illustrates the inherent inaccuracy of judging MPGs from one fill: the amount you put in at the latest fill is usually not the same as the amount burned since the previous fill.