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To fill up or not to fill up??

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Hokie-Dave, Apr 22, 2005.

  1. Hokie-Dave

    Hokie-Dave Member

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    Heading in to work today, half way on my trip my gas gauge starts with the blinky last bar. :cry: At that point I had 447 miles on this tank and now I've got 462, so I went another 15 miles while the blinky bar was getting mad at me. The MFD is telling me I'm getting 49.5MPG on this trip, so "theoretically" I can make it with no problem the 30 miles home I'd assume. Gas is about 12 cents/gallon cheaper at home vs. where I work.

    Is 50 miles a reasonable distance to go after the gas gauge starts blinking at you? I'm guessing I should make it with NO problem, but this is only my 3rd tank with this car. (Bought it used 3 weeks ago).
     
    #1 Hokie-Dave, Apr 22, 2005
  2. Robert Taylor

    Robert Taylor New Member

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    Congrats on finding a nice used Prius.

    Do not let the vehicle run out of gas, this commandment is in the owners manual. I do halfway empty fillups typically, but try not to go below two bars. The fuel guage is not some precision instrument at all, supposedly the tank actually holds the gas in a kevlar bladder to reduce fumes and that also contributes to the problem.

    Also, the Prius has a "black box" that is storing data on the car, run it out of gas, presto, you invalidate any remaining warranty. There is a thread about how much data is actually being captured, but the owners manual states that Toyota can access this data and use it in claims agaist them.
     
    #2 Robert Taylor, Apr 22, 2005
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Your warranty will not be invalidated if you run out of gas. But you probably should not push it. Also, any code that is recorded will clear after a few restart cycles anyway.

    I say fill now until you get a better sense of how much gas the tank will actually hold. My some other 1G folk can give more specific guidance here.
     
    #3 efusco, Apr 22, 2005
  4. priusham

    priusham New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Robert Taylor\";p=\"83391)</div>
    Where did you obtain this information? Please pass it along as it's news to me, and I guess Dr. E, also.
     
    #4 priusham, Apr 22, 2005
  5. Ken S

    Ken S Member

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    Hmmm where does it say running out of gas invalidates your warranty?
     
    #5 Ken S, Apr 22, 2005
  6. Hokie-Dave

    Hokie-Dave Member

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    Thanks for the info. From my previous two fillups I went about 427 miles on 9.2 gallons and 365 on 8 gallons which both equate to about 46mpg (the MFD was displaying about 48mpg each of those 2 tanks). With this logic, I can assume that I'm getting about 47mpg which would mean that by the time I get home I would have gone 492 miles which would equal 10.5 gallons which would only leave me about 1 gallon of gas in reserve.

    I guess with this logic, I'll eat the gas savings and fillup here at work during lunch just so I can be safe.

    My warrantly for most of my car is pretty much gone except for the 8yr/100k mile hybrid system warranty.
     
    #6 Hokie-Dave, Apr 22, 2005
  7. mtc1234

    mtc1234 New Member

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    Just put in a gallon. Track it as a partial fillup.
     
    #7 mtc1234, Apr 22, 2005
  8. Hokie-Dave

    Hokie-Dave Member

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    Well, I decided to go out and fill it up. It took 9.7 gallons for 465 miles which calculated out to 48mpg. MFD read 49.5 which is consistent with my last two fillups (actual about 2 mpg less than displayed). So I'm guessing that I definitely had enough to get home and probably get my first 500 mile tank. Oh well, I'll get it next time.
     
    #8 Hokie-Dave, Apr 22, 2005
  9. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    i never push it and with a range that large, its difficult to understand anyone who lets themselves get in that position.

    in this area where we are just finishing a 3 week period where the price of gas rose daily, it would have been better to fill up sooner rather than later.

    to me, 12 cents aint worth the stress. you will probably not have a problem, but if you do, i be willing to bet its worth waaay more than what it would have cost you.
     
    #9 DaveinOlyWA, Apr 23, 2005
  10. micheal

    micheal I feel pretty, oh so pretty.

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    I concur, don't push your luck. Having to get it towed or something along those lines will cost you way more than the $1.20 or so you saved.


    I have only been able to get more than 10 gallons three times in 22 fill-ups (almost always waiting until the bar is blinking). Two of those were both on 10.1 gallons and only one was close to the max capacity at 11.49.

    Some have suggested multiplying the MFD consumption by 9 to figure out when to fill-up, just to be on the safe side (especially in winter, but summer can multiply by 10).
     
    #10 micheal, Apr 23, 2005
  11. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    As a Classic owner I'd say 460+ miles to a tank is probably more than I'd consider pushing it. Both the fuel pump and the fuel pressure regulator are in the sub tank and running a liquid cooled electric fuel pump without cooling is a good way to damage it. Understand the fuel pump is not a serviceable unit, you have to buy a new fuel tank. Last I heard they were a shade over $600. Would I take a chance.......... nope, not to save $1.20. There is no logic to doing that, gas it up and not worry about it or even think about it. Just drive worry free and enjoy your Prius.
     
    #11 Frank Hudon, Apr 23, 2005
  12. king_of_the_huns

    king_of_the_huns New Member

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    #12 king_of_the_huns, May 11, 2005
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's in the owner's manual somewhere before the table of contents
     
    #13 Tideland Prius, May 11, 2005
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