Dealer says Prius ran out of gas - it didn't. Why?

welcome to priuschat! what did they say about the four bars?

 

Does it make sense to you based on you previous fill-up data?
If it happened to me I would know I filled up with 8.x -gal at 12x,yzx miles on the prior fill-up.

If your are not filling up each time, I don't know if you can fake out the "guess" gauge.

 

how's your 12 volt battery?

 

I agree 8+ gallons at 2 bars is a good fill-up.
Using Google maps etc, can you estimate how many miles you went after the fill-up?
What MPG did your display show for the tank? (if known)

 

OK that makes sense. Sometimes 330 miles could mean 4 bars like you had...that is just like my current fill-up we got a lot of gas in there 9 gals. So now we are like you. Other times the fill-up is not as full and 330 miles could mean near empty. If you are correct, 8 gal at 2 bars, that would suggest fairly full tank so 330 miles should be 4 bars, and therefore the mishap is not explainable by me.

 

Hi Kim/Chris. Did you check the oil levels immediately after the change to see by how much they had overfilled it?

If other people's experience is anything to go by, then by far the most common cause of engine check lights after an oil change (especially those relates to the throttle and intake system) are due to overfilling the oil. It can result in excessive oil being drawn off through the crankcase ventilation system, which fouls the intake system.

 

Yes can definitely drain a little off if you need to, but first give it a check on level ground with engine cool (off for 15 minutes+). Given your trip it may have drawn off and consumed most of the excess already. You may need to get the throttle body cleaned.

Most people here are very wary of overfilling the oil their Prius, it seems to be quite sensitive to this problem. It's hard to know exactly the point (overfill) that will cause problems, though some people have reported problems with even minor overfills. I'd definitely be very wary of anything filled to more that 1/4" over the top dimple on the stick.

 

Believe you can get a oil sample kit with a little hand pump and tube to take some out of the dipstick hole.
My 2006 only takes like 3-qts so I tell them 3-qts and put maybe a little more in at home. Usually I do it myself.

 

i got a hand pump at pep boys, takes a while though. i saw a 12v pump at lowes in the lawn mower parts area. amazon has them all. you might consider just replacing the battery if it's original. a borderline battery can wreak havoc with the entire cars electricals and present various unusual problems.

 

If the 12V battery is original, it needs to be checked:
Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery
Your weird problems don't fit the typical low-12V mold, so don't simply shotgun it without checking first.

 

Well its in the trunk under the "floor"

 

I know it never hurts to check the 12V health, but a throttle plate related problem on the first day after a dubious oil change is pretty much to a no brainer for an overfill / fouled throttle body.