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When to fill up, my first tankful

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Tdoff1, May 28, 2008.

  1. Tdoff1

    Tdoff1 New Member

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    Hey folks,

    First tankfull of gas, down to 2 bars on the gas gauge. I realize that driving habits, conditions etc will impact fuel mileage, but my question is more of when most of you refuel. Wait until down to no bars, 1 bar left on gas gauge?

    Don't want to run out, but want to see what I can get....thoughts

    Thanks
     
    #1 Tdoff1, May 28, 2008
  2. loftishb

    loftishb HughB

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    I play it safe and fill up at 2 (sometime even 3) bars.
     
    #2 loftishb, May 28, 2008
  3. limetime13

    limetime13 Junior Member

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    You'll find from other threads on this website that the gas guage (some fondly call it the guess guage) is the foible of the Prius. It is a bladder that changes size - 9-11 gallons depending on "who knows what". Most of the people here get gas at 2 bars (pips).

    I do know that when the last pip starts flashing - get gas!

    Have fun with your new "video game on wheels"! :D
     
    #3 limetime13, May 28, 2008
  4. limetime13

    limetime13 Junior Member

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    Oops - think it's gauge - (but hey, I was consistent!) ;)
     
    #4 limetime13, May 28, 2008
  5. Tdoff1

    Tdoff1 New Member

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    I guess that I should look more at the MPG since last reset as opposed to the total miles driven. For some reason I cannot get away from thinking I need to see 400-500 per tankful as opposed to great gas mileage and who cares how often or when I fill up. (it is a zero sum game if the MPG calculator is correct).
     
    #5 Tdoff1, May 28, 2008
  6. ForTheGlory

    ForTheGlory New Member

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    Exactly. You gain nothing by trying to drive until the tank is nearly empty, except for an increased possibility of running out of gas.
     
    #6 ForTheGlory, May 28, 2008
  7. Danny Hamilton

    Danny Hamilton Active Member

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    2 pips = get gas if it is convenient.

    1 pip = get gas even if it is inconvenient

    1 flashing pip = get gas at the closest possible location.
     
    #7 Danny Hamilton, May 28, 2008
  8. rsforkner

    rsforkner Member

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    Exactly!!!!!

    For me I modify as follows:
    2 pips = get gas if it is convenient.
    I go to my favorite stations I know have the lowest price
    1 pip = get gas even if it is inconvenient
    Next station I see with a fair price
    1 flashing pip = get gas at the closest possible location.
    Next station regardless of price

    Gas can vary by as much as $0.20 within 10 miles of my house. That why I added to #1 and #2

    Bob
     
    #8 rsforkner, May 28, 2008
  9. Voidvoice

    Voidvoice New Member

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    I get gas last weekedn even i still have 4 bars because it was 40 cents per gallon cheaper in NJ than NY
     
    #9 Voidvoice, May 28, 2008
  10. pdhenry

    pdhenry It's HEEERE!

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    My rule as well:

    When to fill up - whenever I drive through NJ.
     
    #10 pdhenry, May 28, 2008
  11. Tdoff1

    Tdoff1 New Member

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    Filled up, 2 pips took only 8 gallons! Now I know. :car:
     
    #11 Tdoff1, May 28, 2008
  12. Danny Hamilton

    Danny Hamilton Active Member

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    Of course the only thing you know for sure is that at the moment you have at least 8 gallons in the tank. I've gotten more than 9 gallons into the tank with 2 pips on the gauge, and I've gotten less than 7 gallons into the tank with 2 pips on the gauge. I've gotten several amounts inbetween with 2 pips on the gauge. For that matter because the volume of the tank changes every time you fill it, you don't even know if you used 8 gallons. You may have used 7 gallons and the volume of the tank increased by a gallon, or you may have used 9 gallons, but the volume of the tank decreased by a gallon. You may have had 3.9 gallons remaining in the tank when you added your 8 gallons, or you may have had 1.9 gallons in the tank when you added your 8 gallons.
     
    #12 Danny Hamilton, May 28, 2008
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