Toyota Prius: reserve fuel

The tank contains a bladder that shrinks and expands,
depending internal and ambient temperatures. So, the
amount of fuel indicated when the warning appears is a
wide ranging variable. i.e. I've read histories that indicate
you have anywhere from 50 to over a 100 miles left to go
before the tank is really empty, and the car actually runs
out of gas.

Just add gas at your earliest convenience when the last
fuel gauge bar starts flashing and you should be fine.

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Bruce wrote: 

I also have an '05. I typically wait for the last block on the gage to start
flashing and then drive 30-50 miles more before refueling. The most I have
ever put into the tank was 9.8 gallons.


"Bruce" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 

"Bruce" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 

I was about to say there's probably no real fuel sensor in the tank but then
how would the gauge respond to how much fuel was put into the tank? LOL
I set the trip odometer, and when I get the warning to refuel I check to see
how many miles I've driven. I get a warning around 430 miles, (this time of
the year) usually there's still 3 to 3 1/2 gallons left in the tank. In the
summer I still get a warning around 430 miles but there's still 4 to 4 1/2
gallons left. I think it was designed this way to give us something to
complain about
It may seem like an inconvenience but if there's been a sudden spike in fuel
prices, 8 to fill is better than 11 3/4 to fill. Right?

"Bruce" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 
Really not an answer, but it may lead to one: excellent photo show of a gas
tank disassembly at http://priuschat.com/the-gas-bladder-exposed-t31545.html

I'm wondering if the "low fuel" warning is activated when the "everything
tank" is no longer full of fuel. It looks like the bladder is essentially a
reservoir for that smaller tank.

Mike

Mike

Speaking of the fuel system, this may be of interest:

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/Hybrid13.pdf

- Doug

"Bruce" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 

I guess I'm just trying to understand. If there is 3 1/2 gallons left
in the tank, can I drive another 150 miles?

The other question is regarding the procedure if I run out of gas. I
have read somewhere that the computer in the Prius senses when you run
out of gas and won't let the engine start until more gas is added.
However, you have to put about 3 gallons in the tank to reset the
sensor. Normally you walk/hitch to the nearest gas station and beg a
gallon container and buy a gallon of gas. Would I have to get 3
gallons to reset the sensor so the computer would allow the engine to
restart? This all hypothetical, I hope. I want to understand these new
procedures, just in case.

On the other hand if I refill within 40-50 miles of the alarm, it is a
moot point.

Thanks for the info,
Bruce

On Sat, 7 Apr 2007 05:05:06 -0400, "mark_digital©"
<com> wrote:
 

In article <com>,
Bruce <com> wrote:
 

When you run out of gas, the car keeps running on battery power until
the battery is depleted. It is not a good idea to do this, though.
 

The sensor that requires three gallons is the sensor that displays miles
per gallon and distance since the MPG display was reset. It has nothing
to do with starting the car.

The one time I ran out of gas, two gallons was enough for me to drive
again, using the gasoline engine. I don't know whether less gas would
have done it because the roadside assistance guy brought only two
gallons.

If you have 3 1/2 gallons left in the tank, you should be able to drive
another 135 (45 MPG) to 150 (50 MPG) miles. I act on the assumption
that when the last bar starts blinking, I have 2 gallons left in the
tank.

--
Support the troops: Bring them home ASAP.

"DougSlug" <com> wrote in message
news:6jORh.18$lga... 

That's a great site, Doug.