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As temperature drops, so does fuel quantity?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Bill Lumbergh, Dec 13, 2005.

  1. Bill Lumbergh

    Bill Lumbergh USAF Aircraft Maintainer

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    I'm probably going to call my dealer tomorrow because my car only wants six gallons of fuel with two bars left on the gauge, which is at least 2 gallons less than it took back when it was warm.

    Does the fuel tank bladder have a tendency to shrink (or an aversion to expansion) when cold? This is ruining my miles-per-tank.

    Only got 35 MPG last tank. :(
     
    #1 Bill Lumbergh, Dec 13, 2005
  2. mdmikemd

    mdmikemd Member

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    That's what I've picked up from this forum...
     
    #2 mdmikemd, Dec 13, 2005
  3. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Yup, the Prius doesn't like the cold, like me LOL. Tank shrinks in the cold, try waiting till the warmest part of the day before you put gas in it.
     
    #3 paprius4030, Dec 13, 2005
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    "The fuel tank capacity is decreased at low
    ambient temperature. (decreased by about
    5 L (1.3 gal., 1.1 lmp. gal.) at –10°C
    (14°F).)"

    Pg 204 :D

    The problem is, it doesn't say how much it decreases per 10°C or something like that.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Dec 13, 2005
  5. maggieddd

    maggieddd Senior Member

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    but if you have to bars left on the gauge and the car wants to take 6, that sounds right in the cold. You probably have about 2 gallons still in the tank and you putting 6 that makes it 8. Pretty normal. I barely squeezed 8.8 gallons yesterday after my last bar was blinking for about 20 miles. And it's warmer here.
     
    #5 maggieddd, Dec 13, 2005
  6. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    Yep. The bladder shrinks in the cold. It's been suggested that with time it will shrink less. I have not kept records, so I can't say. I've learned not to be obsessive about how many miles I get on a tankful. I concentrate instead on how clean the car is.
     
    #6 daniel, Dec 14, 2005
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