I ran out of gas @ 460 miles getting 46.5 mpg

You might want to check which years gave those reports. I recall someone using ScanGuage data to show that 2004 (and maybe 2005?) blinking pip was 12.5%, while that got adjusted downward in later Priuses (to 6% or so).

Doesn't remove the core message that drivers need to be aware of the bladder and what it does to actual usable capacity. It does mean that someone "trained" in a 2005 (like me) might reasonably expect 30+ miles at the blinking pip could get in trouble in a newer car.

I'm in the "keep driving until blink, get gas then", but obviously I modify that if I'm on deserted highways, etc.

 

You raise an interesting point. There will be a time when the information is so abundant that not encountering would be quite a challenge. Of course, since Prius is different anyway, why is assuming that the gauge works the same ok?

In other words, I feel it acceptable now to poke those complaining for constructive feedback, something that would help prevent this from happening to new owners.

Please provide suggestions.

.

 

Here is one case where the guy ran out about 6 miles after the last pip started blinking.

"I have to tell what happened to me, and I bet is the same that has happened to many on here. We bought our 2008 Touring the first part of September, and had been living on here for months prior learning. One of the first things I noted was the gas gauge/running out problem some have..Having in the past been one guilty of waiting for the yellow gas pump to flash, I didn't want to submit my new Prius to this so was pretty good at not letting it go below two pips..Until one night...
I work in Austin Tx and live in Bastrop Tx which is approximately 27 miles apart. I left work, and the gauge had two pips. Knowing we were going to drive into Bastrop for Dinner that night (we live 7 miles toward Austin) I figured I would buy gas in Bastrop as it's always cheaper..Got home, and it had just dropped to one pip. Cool..Only seven miles into Bastrop. We left the house later and headed into town, about a mile or so out of our place the one pip started blinking..WTH? Surely we are going to be fine..Only a few miles in..We stopped at the restaurant and had dinner and planned to get gas on the way home..Gas was around the corner from the diner. We left dinner, got in the car, and it made it about 200 feet to the corner, we stopped at the light and the engine got rough and died. No warning lights or anything. We made it to the gas station via battery since it was in the same block (lucky thing. battery was still nearly full when we got there) But I was amazed at how quickly the situation changed in such a short time(from two pips to empty in 27 miles)..When we filled up it took less than ten gallons from "out"
Quickly made me realize the lower quarter of the guage can get you in trouble fast..Now my rule is three pips, get gas..But I can see how easy it is to be caught off guard with these cars..

John"

I see that people keep telling me to get gas at two PIPS. Bleh!

Let me explain myself one more time. Where I drive there is always a gas station within a couple miles. I don't believe the Prius ever runs out of gas before the last PIP starts blinking. Therefore, I will never run out of gas if I go to the nearest gas station after the last pip starts blinking. QED!

No need to fill up at two PIPS?!?!?

 

Except perhaps if the last fillup occurred with the car on a significant slope, which could confuse the float. There's a current thread from somebody who apparently ran out of gas on a bridge with two pips on the gauge. But this sort of thing seems to be rare.

 

Don't argue with a hungry Prius.

 

wow. I got thru this entire thread without expressing a biting comment at all. Even though it may have been warranted.

It is amazing the way different folks from different places see and say things isnt it? Some might think that the OP was being an angry whiner, and some might not. Just the way different places and people talk I suppose!

Sorry you had the problem and I bet it wont happen again! :amen:

 

Thanks, I hadn't seen that one. I do have a question though....

If the warning lights didn't come on, did they actually run out of gas?

To me it sounds like they were still getting used to the car, knew about the gas gauge / running out of gas issues and were very worried about it. Then, 200 yards after they started it up (~6 miles into the blinking pip) the engine stuttered and died. Exactly like it normally would after completing its warm up cycle They assumed that they had run out of gas and coasted into the gas station around the corner on battery. I missed the original thread/discussion, but it certainly sounds to me like they hadn't actually run out of gas at all.

Rob

 

MSCRMS,

You are right. Maybe they did not run out of gas.

From Richard,
"Except perhaps if the last fillup occurred with the car on a significant slope, which could confuse the float. There's a current thread from somebody who apparently ran out of gas on a bridge with two pips on the gauge. But this sort of thing seems to be rare. "

I dont think "partial" fills will affect the gauge reading when it gets near empty.

 

I have a steep driveway. Anytime I park the Prius with the front down and turn it off the fuel gauge will reset to full even if there was only one pip showing on the gauge to begin with. The car did not reset itself during the 6-7 drive to the gas station. It was back to normal after filling up. Whether the pips would have all of a sudden started blinking when it reached near empty I don't know.

 

There is no mystery or guess work to it.

Simply divide the miles driven since last fill-up, by the displayed average MPG since last fill-up. When the result approaches the number of gallons you last pumped, it's time for gas.

Or, turn the same number around, and multiply the number of gallons you pumped by your average MPG since you pumped them, and there is your anticipated range for that tank. Approach that number of miles and it's time fill up.