2006 Prius (Gen 2) Ran out of gas!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by benknick, Jun 16, 2022.

  1. benknick

    benknick Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    My gas warning light came on and within 2 miles lost power, red triangle appeared on my dashboard. I pulled over to the side of the road and used the electric battery to position the car. AAA added gas, however, the vehicle had many lights lit up on the dash and it would not go into drive. I then disconnected the 12 Volt battery to reboot the system (watched a Youtube how-to clip)) and that helped get the engine running and I was almost able to start driving again, however, lost power again. I had to get the car towed to Toyota and it was after hours so the tow truck left it by the back gate. I decided to try disconnecting the 12 Volt battery again to reboot the system, then I powered up the car and the engine started running and charging the hybrid battery. I believe the 40-mile tow to Toyota may have sloshed the gas around and got the fuel pump working. The center screen said to add fuel and the car was running so I drove one mile to the gas station, many lights were still active on the dash, and added 9.3 gallons of gas. After I added the gas all the lights cleared off the dash and the car was acting normal.

    I calculated that I drove 505 miles on a full tank before I lost power on the highway. I’m in Houston and it was 100 degrees outside so my understanding is gas in a hot climate has more vapor and does not hold as much energy as compared in cold weather. Also, I think my gas gauge is not as accurate as in the past and will be filling the car when I get down to two bars.

    The biggest takeaway is don’t let your car get past 2 bars. Also, don’t run your hybrid battery down trying to get to a gas station. Shut the car down right away and add gas. Know how to disconnect your 12-volt battery. I believe you need to add 3 + gallons for the car to register that you have gas in the tank?
     
    #1 benknick, Jun 16, 2022
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  2. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Four
    Well, if you use A/C in hot weather, then that uses power so lower mpg.

    On this forum many call the fuel level indicator- the "guess gauge". Yes, it takes more than 3 gallons before the car will allow the engine to start once it runs out of fuel.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 mr_guy_mann, Jun 16, 2022
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2022
  3. benknick

    benknick Junior Member

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    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Gen 2 owners fill up at 2 bars! It was not fun waiting for AAA on the side of the road for 3 hours in 100-degree heat. But if it happens put 3 plus gallons in the tank and know how to disconnect your 12-volt battery to reboot the system
     
    #3 benknick, Jun 16, 2022
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    That's very interesting as you know my '09 has had no display on and off for about 2 years I've run out of gas in my driveway twice and each time that happened the red triangle came on in the turtle was red I added a gallon because that's what I had here and the car fired immediately right back up it was about 80° out I think I mean I dumped the gallon out of this little stupid gallon can for my lawn mower into the tank push the button it fired right up I pulled it up to park it in my driveway did whatever I had to do for a few minutes jumped back into the car 6 miles to the gas station to fill up No lights on except my normal stuff that's broken on the car and the red triangle went off the minute the gasoline engine had gas or started or something I did not have to clear it
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Jun 16, 2022
  5. benknick

    benknick Junior Member

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    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    You should get your combination fixed so you can have your dashboard always on. I just got my done. I believe running out of gas parked in your driveway is not the same as running out of gas on the highway at 75 mph. I think the fuel ran out of the pump and was a lot harder to start as I discussed above vs. stationary in a driveway.
     
    #5 benknick, Jun 23, 2022
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Base
    My 09 is run out in the driveway due to no display many times I generally know where I'm at in mileage nowhere I've been and I'm gassing up before I hit fumes but sometimes things get crazy and I forget and I've run out in the driveway and on the road many times while I've had no display I've always kept a gallon of gas in the rear quarter of the car and the proper container that doesn't leak or smell and I smoke in the car you don't even know the gas is there. But when I run out it is never been an issue these cars have electric fuel pumps so you run out of gas you pull over or you can glide over. You pull your gas filler door you make sure the car is off and at rest doing nothing you pour the gallon of gas in the car this is what I have if you have five gallons put it in. If you're putting in more than a gallon that will take you a minute or so by the time you drop the gas close the door cap the can put the can up in the trunk. And get back to the driver's seat you should be able to push the button to start the car the car should ready and the gas engine may or may not immediately come on if it doesn't step on the gas and it will start it will pump that fuel up there and start that engine as fast as jack rabbit. Unless you have a fuel pump problem. That has been my experience in my 09 that has 290,000 mi on it that I drive everyday almost a hundred miles a day for whatever reason every day including lots of Sundays. And running the air conditioner all the time except the winter.
     
    #6 Tombukt2, Jun 26, 2022
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