Does anyone know about when the "Add Fuel" messages comes up? Does it come when you have about 2 gallons left? 3? Also, does anyone know how much the gas pump will fill up the tank before automatically stopping? It always seems you can put more into the tank after it stops, so it doesn't seem like the gas pump will put the full 11.9 gallons into the car! Thanks for the help!
The Gen II Prius (at least in NA) uses an internal bladder that expands to hold gas and contracts to reduce evaporation. As such, it does not have a fixed size or shape. No accurate measurement will always apply, it is very temperature sensitive. Please do not overfill your gas tank. It often spills gas, it may contaminate your evaporative control canister and it puts more pressure on the Prius bladder. All of these will cause more gas to escape into the environment, instead of powering your car. When it clicks, it is done.
When the "Add Fuel" light appears, many have thought, "400 miles at 50 miles per gallon must mean 3.9 gallons left." They are quite surprised when they run out shortly afterward. The other Jimbo is correct about the bladder and its idiosyncracies. Do a good search on PriusChat for related discussions. Meanwhile, if you happen to be one of those who likes to push the envelope on low fuel, do NOT run the car for any distance on an empty tank. That's a good way to kill your hybrid battery.
With the last pip flashing at me the other day, mine only took 5 gallons before the pump clicked off. The attendant (we can't pump our own in Oregon) asked me how empty it was when I came in and I told her it should take more. With a knowing smile she started it again and was able to get 7.5 gallons total before it clicked off again. So I agree with the Jimbos - don't "top off" in the classic sense, but if it stops well short of what you expect you can just start it and wait for it to click off again. This is more of an issue in winter cold since the bladder is a little less flexible. - D
What they said. To be clear, the only "add fuel" message is when the last pip starts flashing. At that point you might be able to drive another 1 mile or another 50; there's no way to be certain. The bladder makes it essentially impossible to ever get 11.9 gallons into the tank. If you try you will get gasoline on your shoes.
I have tested many times in mine 2008.. 60-70 DEGREES OUT.. u will get about 45-50 depending on conditions till UR OUT AS IN the battery doesn't even power the car.. so the book says 3 gallons aprox. Bull ..only true if the damn tank was a tank and some plastic crap
your fuel will stop pumping if the fuel tank is full. so make sure that you dont try to top off the fuel pump because this will lead to spillage. _________ fuel pump assembly | ~tammy beede~
For me it seems to not matter what time of year when i get to the addfuel message and fill the tank every time it puts about 8-\+ gallons depending on how far i drive with the last bar flashing
