the first pipe must kidding me !

That is incorrect information.

When the first pip disappears is determined by your fuel economy during the first park of that tank of fuel. So driving aggressively or with short trips or pretty much anything that causes a reduction in fuel economy means that the first pip will disappear much sooner (less miles) than if you were getting great fuel economy.

Someone getting 35mpg is going to see that first pip disappear much sooner than someone getting 60mpg!

You will never know if they tank was completely full unless you can see fuel in the filler neck. Gas pumps may click off prematurely for a number of reasons. I don't recommend trying to overfill the tank just to make these calculations. Simply fill the tank to the first or second click off and rest assured that your displayed mpg is fairly accurate. Data has shown the MFD mpg is within 2% of actual when measured over multiple refills.

In other words, stop worrying and just drive the car.

 

I would say that's normal, if u topped off the tank u might of got a gallon or 2 more.

 

U never told us how many gallons u put in at the pump. In my 06 when the pump clicks off I still can put in a gallon or 2 to top it off. My tank is 11.9.

 

Without repeated observations we can only conclude that your fuel pump turned off prematurely and that you didn't really have a full tank. Otherwise it could be a problem with your fuel gauge display and it needs to be re-set.

 

i think you're right on track, keep up the good work my darling!

 

One Question: When you filled the tank, what speed on the nozzle did you have it set at? In other words, did you pump the fuel in FAST or SLOW?

 

Hello Abdullah. It's not the "filter" that's holding the extra petrol, it's just the top of part of the tank and filler neck.

You see the Prius tank doesn't actually need to be completely filled in order to show all 10 "pips" on the gauge. A full tank holds 12 US gallon (45L), but typically only about 10 US gal (37L) are required to get all 10 pips up.

If like mine, your prius is a model without the tank bladder (non North American model) then you should consider the tank to hold the equivalent of approximately 12 pips on the gauge, with the top two pip being invisible. Yes I know that those 11th and 12th pips aren't really there, but what I'm saying is that there really is space from them in the tank. This is why the 10th pip often wont drop for well over 100 miles (and sometimes 200 miles) if you fill the tank all the way.

The filler neck on the Prius is fairly narrow, so it quite often happens that a petrol pump may cut out before the tank is completely full. I assume that this is what happened in your case. Generally you need to slow down the pump a little bit in order to stop it cutting out too early. You have to be careful though, if you pump it too slowly then it may not cut out at all and you can spill petrol and overfill it, which isn't a good idea.

 

Ok, that just means there's more variability as to exactly how much fuel it contains when "full". Honestly, I wouldn't stress about only getting 35 miles on the first pip, I don't think it represents any problem. Sometimes you may get 100 miles on the first pip, sometimes you might get 10. It's very dependent upon precisely how much petrol was pumped in, and that as I said it quite variable (even when you think you completely filled it).

 

Hi Abdullah,

I think you will find in time that when you fill the tank you will see a LOT of variables. Sometimes that first pip might last 100 miles or more, sometimes 35 like you observed.

There are a lot of variables that are involved with the Gen II Prius that has the bladder.

You are new to the car. In time you will become more accustomed to it. I really don't think you have any problems. Just enjoy the car, the good mileage, and the fact that it does not cost a arm and a leg when you go to fill up.

Good luck to you!