Add Fuel Indicator & Gas Pump Auto-stop

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

 

Yes, way after you should have already got gas. :madgrin:

 

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

 

How many ruptured Prius bladders have been reported?...

 

At least one. Prius tech galaxee documented a case a couple years ago.

 

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