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2012 Prius V fuel tank capacity

Discussion in 'Prius v Technical Discussion' started by Lildevil, Apr 14, 2021.

  1. Lildevil

    Lildevil Junior Member

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    I always thought all Prius gas tanks held 10 gallons. I recently got a 2012 Prius V that will show 2 bars on the indicator and 70 to 80+ miles to drive on the other digital indicator, but when I fill it, it will take 11+ gallons to fill. I have tried all of the tricks to reset the gauge etc.. The low fuel warning will never come on either.
    Any input would be greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 Lildevil, Apr 14, 2021
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Its 12 gallons. Usually the low indicator will come on at 10.5 gallons consumed. My car will show 25 miles of range to allow a reserve of about a gallon. I know of no calibration. You need mpg as well. I would carefully record gallons to fill with the current odo over a few tanks. Do the calcs based on 12 gallons and go from there.

    457AB33C-EFE7-4190-BED5-862D7A65598A.jpeg
     
    #2 rjparker, Apr 14, 2021
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  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Are you stopping filling at the first or second click of the nozzle, or packing in much more fuel beyond that?

    When stopping at the automatic shutoff point of normal service station pumps, that is far more fuel than any Liftback should be taking without going well beyond all low fuel warnings, i.e. the bottom bar flashing and distance-to-empty reading zero. Liftbacks generally have about 2 gallons of reserve margin when the low fuel warnings are issued, so should take a bit under 10 gallons when they initially show as empty. I wasn't aware of the 'v' model being any different.
     
    #3 fuzzy1, Apr 15, 2021
  4. Lildevil

    Lildevil Junior Member

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    Thank you for your reply. I was going nuts putting in more gas than I thought the tank would hold.

    I just got this V about 1 1/2 months ago, (had a regular Prius to this point), and when I got it, the fuel graph showed 9 bars. I drove it alot over the next two days and the bars did not drop beyound 7 bars. I filled it up and it took 11.3 gallons. Once again on the bars went only to 7 bars. The local shop I go to for oil changes etc., told me to clear both trip meters, the miles left to drive and the average mpg on my next fill. The fuel gauge started working after that.
     
    #4 Lildevil, Apr 15, 2021
  5. Lildevil

    Lildevil Junior Member

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    I always stop after the first click and use the slowest setting on the fill nozzle.

    The regular Prius I had before this V had a 10 gallon tank.

    Thank you.
     
    #5 Lildevil, Apr 15, 2021
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    What Prius was that?

    Gen3 Liftbacks (2010-15) have 11.9 gallon tanks.

    All the Gen2 (2004-09) Liftbacks I've checked also have 11.9 gallon tanks, at least before reduction for bladder issues.

    The Gen1 Owner's Manual I checked (2001) is also 11.9 gallons.

    Perhaps you had a Prius 'c' with a 9.5 gallon tank?
     
    #6 fuzzy1, Apr 15, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2021
  7. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Do not overfill. It will screw up the gas gauge till you run it down to a half tank then refill without trying to get as much gas as it can hold.
    I tried to see how much I could get in it and it was scary till I read somewhere this could happen.
     
    #7 Tim Jones, Apr 15, 2021
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  8. Lildevil

    Lildevil Junior Member

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    I am not sure which Gen it was, but it also was a 2012. Maybe I was wrong thinking it was a 10 gallon tank. I know the most I put into it was about 9.5 gallons with the last bar blinking. It was not a 'C' for sure.
     
    #8 Lildevil, Apr 16, 2021
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    If it wasn't a 'c', or a 'v', or a Plug-In, then it was a regular Liftback like mine, and had an 11.9 gallon tank.

    If you filled up promptly when the last bar started blinking, then the 9.5 gallons you added was typical. But it had a lot more 'reserve' fuel margin than you realized. I've taken mine well beyond that warning, enough to put in a bit more than 11 gallons. For more detail, read just the first post of this too-long thread:
    [WARNING] Running out of gas (Gen III) | PriusChat

    I had thought that your 2012 'v' should have the very same fuel tank capacity and behavior as your 2012 'regular' Prius, other than adjusting for lower MPG. So your observation at the start of this thread, remains a puzzle.
     
    #9 fuzzy1, Apr 16, 2021
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