I know it's been discussed before here in relation to the Gen II models (Here), but since the 2010+ model have the new Resin Gas Tank, is it ok to top it off? I know there's always caution when topping off any tank for spills and what not, but I'm wondering about the fuel system. As many have said the Gen II system could be damaged if fuel leaked out of the bladder, etc... Check out the images on the page Here, they're definitely topping it off. Ok to top off a 2010 Prius??
I do. First click, start again still the second click. No problems. [edit] not nearly that full (per photos).
I stop after 1 click myself for 2 reasons. 1. I don't know what kind of Rube Goldberg gizzywhopper Toyota uses for their evaporative emmission control system, and I'm afraid of introducing liquid into a system designed for vapors. 2. I see boneheads spilling gas at gas stations nearly every time I visit them trying to shove 10.00000001 gallons into a ten gallon tank. One of the cool things about gas being four bucks a gallon. Fewer people are (over)filling up. OK. That's me. However (comma!) to be honest with you I do not really think it will kill Priuses to have them overfilled even semi-regularly...again for two reasons. 1. Priuses aren't all that fragile. My HMMWV had a similar fuel tank. It wasn't all that fragile either. Oh yeah....I'm talking about "my" M998A2-HWMMV with a USN serial number and a government issue fuel card, so all of you Hummer Haters out there please retract your claws. 2. Prius drivers are nuts. Don't take it personally. I are one too. I've seen numerous posts on this site about people driving waaaaaaaay past the "0-mile DTE" point just so that they could post to their buddies that they got 700-something miles out of a tank of gas. I can just see them now at a gas station trying to get 12.234 gallons into an 11.9 gallon tank. Why go through all that trouble? Swipe. Pump. Click. Done. Repeat as necessary. YMMV.....
I'm doing it it now because I want accurate mpg information. There is too much variation for 1 click pump to pump. iPad ?
The recommendation is to not top off. This is true with the Gen II, Gen III, and all modern cars. There isn't anything special about the Prius; the concern is for the evaporative control system, as with all modern cars. Tom
2010 Toyota Prius-III basic competitive comparisons Year Make Model MSRP Passenger Volume (cu. ft.) Cargo Volume (cu. ft.) 08 EPA combined (mpg US) 2010 Toyota Prius-III $21,000 93.7 21.6 50 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid $23,650 90.9 10.4 42 2010 Honda Insight-II $19,800 85.0 15.9 41 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid $27,270 99.8 11.8 39 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid $26,150 101.4 10.6 34 ....Wow, amazing the III msrp was only $21k back then!
No, that was Wayne's preview guess. Read down the thread a ways, and a month later you will see links to other threads with the official price announcement. The III started at $23k. Still a deal, Toyota was playing pricing hardball against the new Insight-II. Prices started climbing a few months later after they figured there was no need to compete.
So you ARE topping off? I hear you, it's hard to keep it the same from station to station, i suppose the best/most accurate way is to keep filling until you're getting constant clicks at the end of the fill.
Or until you can see fuel in the filler neck. That is the best way to test accuracy but not the safest or most responsible way to refuel.
I top-off the tank with nearly 2 extra gallons when I have a long drive and want to avoid paying high gas prices in remote areas. No problems, so far, in 30,000 miles.
how long is it taking to fill the extra 2 gallons past the first click? I just for kicks tried adding more after the first click and it added like 1 tenth at a time and acted like it didn't like it, so I gave up. it would be much easier from a can.
No, not to where you can see it, but I'm clicking until it cannot put any more fuel in. It normally adds at least another half of a gallon. iPad ?
It works best with pumps that let you slow the fill to a trickle. I haven't timed it, but guess it takes around 5 or 6 minutes. I only top-off the tank before long trips where I don't want to stop for gas along the way.
No, I don't top off. Also also let it fill up at the slowest setting on the pump handle. If there is no click assist on the pump then I fill very slowly. If a higher flow is used the gas can slosh back and shut the pump off too soon.
Good point about filling it slower, I could see where you would fill it up more accurately to the first click, albeit just slower.
Spending 5-6 minutes slow filling it just to top off is disrespectful to those waiting in line at the gas station. Please don't do that.
In regards to filling up the tank for accuracy, slower should be better because there will be less turbulence in the tank which will even out the pressure the pump is sensing. However, I don't think there is too much value in tank to tank accuracy, as there are all sorts of small, indeterminite errors that can factor into a single tank fill. Keep records and note the fills over several, dozens, hundreds of tank fills and you should have a very accurate idea of what your tank fill should be.
