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Planning on running out of gas on purpose; then refilling from container

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by SRQ, Apr 4, 2020.

  1. SRQ

    SRQ Member

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    So I've only been able to put about five gallons of gas in the vehicle before getting the low fuel light. So I am planning on running out of gas, putting in exactly one gallon, and then making it to a gas station to get a more accurate amount of fuel in the bladder to see if there's an issue with my fuel gauge.

    Any notes of caution before I do this? Tired of having to fill up so frequently.
     
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    I would probably carry a 5 gallon jug with at least 3 gallons. There have been many reports of Gen 2s that the car won't clear the 'ran out of gas' problem unless at least 3 gallons are added.

    Would hate to see you run it out of gas and then really be stuck when you drain the HV battery trying to start the car unsuccessfully.
     
  3. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Carry more than a gallon of gas with you, just in case :whistle:
     
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  4. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Save the trouble. bob wilson has exhausted every run out of gas scenario under the sun, over the past 2 decades. Easier to read about than to do.
    ;)
    .
     
  5. SRQ

    SRQ Member

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    I can clear the codes with TechStream, and worst case, I can just hang out by the road with the gallon jug in the air, I'm sure anyone passing by will figure it out lol
     
  6. SRQ

    SRQ Member

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    Do you have a link I could check out?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    make sure the nozzle fits through the tank vent flap
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    once you determine how much gas you have, keep a log so you will always know.
     
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Bob never had a Gen2. Just Gen1, Gen3, and Prime, none with that problematic fuel bladder.
     
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  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Gen 1 had a bladder. Is your point that Gen 1's bladder wasn't problematic?
     
  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    It did?? o_O
     
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  12. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    OK, I'm now seeing several pages indicating that it did. But I'm still not remembering user reports of it being problematic. Maybe I arrived in PC too late? Or were there so few Gen1s that the complaints were not memorable?
     
    #12 fuzzy1, Apr 4, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2020
  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Mine never bothered me much.

    I guess I've never expected too much precision from a fuel gauge. I'd say, from the top, mine reads:

    • too full to fill up
    • a bit early to fill up
    • fine time to fill up
    • later than I'd usually fill up
    • dude, fill up
     
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  14. Graeme1949

    Graeme1949 Member

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    Also, of course, when you "run out of" fuel, that hardly ever means that there is NO fuel left in the tank. There is bound to be some, but it is unreachable by the fuel pump and so unusable. But you don't know how much fuel is in there. Or how much water and corrosion products are mixed with it.


    -Graeme-
    2004 Prius with >190,000 miles.
    Sent ?.
     
  15. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

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    I've ran out (not on purpose) in my Gen 2. The first rescue truck brought one gallon. That wouldn't do anything. The second rescue guy brought another 5 gallons, that started it.
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  17. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Your not the first one to have this idea, and you wont be the last. If you are going to run the car out of gas carry a 5 gallon can as 1 gallon wont reset the code. Even if you do find out how far you can go the only way you could fix it is be replacing the entire gas tank as there are no serviceable parts inside it. I'm guessing that if your putting in 5 gallons your driving at least 200 miles? Rather than pushing the car to empty and risk clogging up the fuel filter or damaging the fuel pump why not try driving X amount of additional miles that would satisfy you. Would an extra 100 miles be OK?
     
  18. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Oh Bob Wilson we hardly knew ya.
     
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