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Tank Empty - Only 320 miles driven

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by ingyaningya, Mar 8, 2016.

  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many tankfuls have you gone through since starting the thread?
     
  2. ingyaningya

    ingyaningya Junior Member

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    Okay, update: I filled up my tank on Wednesday, I had driven exactly 417 miles before the fuel gauge began to flash.
     
    usnavystgc and mmmodem like this.
  3. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Good. Nothing is wrong then.
     
  4. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Sounds normal!!!
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    excellent!(y) how were your mpg's?
     
  6. ingyaningya

    ingyaningya Junior Member

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    According to the computer, I averaged around 48 - 49 mpg
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nothing wrong with that!
     
  8. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Another mystery solved by the Scooby gang!!
     
  9. ingyaningya

    ingyaningya Junior Member

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    I hate to keep bringing up an old issue, but it still baffles me. I have a friend who owns a 2008 Prius who was so shocked when I told him that I only get around 400 miles on a full tank, as he says that he can milk 500 out of his, and he doesn't even employ any special driving habits. It's always warm where I live, so I know the bladder isn't contracting.

    Am I just overthinking this?
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you're discounting the bladder issue. the tank holds 12 gallons when the bladder is working properly. 48 mpg x 10 gets you to 480, so either the bladder isn't allowing you to fill all the way, or the low gas light is coming on prematurely.
     
  11. ingyaningya

    ingyaningya Junior Member

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    If the light is coming on prematurely, is there any remedy other than just living with it? Same with the bladder?
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there's a recalibration, for the fuel gauge in a thread here, if you can find it, or someone might link it.
     
  13. ingyaningya

    ingyaningya Junior Member

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    I've already recalibrated it two times since I've owned the car. The fuel tank doesn't have to be full for the recalibration, does it?
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no idea. how many gallons can you put in when the low fuel light comes on?
     
  15. ingyaningya

    ingyaningya Junior Member

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    It took 9 gallons
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's not far off. 414/9 = 46 mpg. maybe your buddy is getting better mpg. how many gallons does he put in when the light flashes.
     
  17. ingyaningya

    ingyaningya Junior Member

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    I have no idea how much he fills up. And I don't understand why he'd have higher mpg, as I employ multiple special driving habits including "pulse and glide".
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it could be his car vs yours. you really need to find out what his displayed and actual mpg's are.
     
  19. ingyaningya

    ingyaningya Junior Member

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    After weeks of driving, I'm seeing a pattern. I'm consistantly getting 400 miles right when the low fuel alert happens, and the car never ever takes more than 8.5 gallons at refill.
     
  20. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    So, approx 47 MPG (5 l/100 km) which could be better, but not too bad compared to an F150.