Bladder oddness

There is no way to "inflate" the bladder.

You may find that another fuel pump at your gas station may work better. Also try inserting the fuel pump nozzle with the handle "upside down" to see if that helps.

Topping it off might help. After the pump first clicks off, you might try forcing in another gallon or two, especially if you are about to embark on a long trip where you'll quickly draw down the excess fill.

However that practice may damage the fuel vapor control system if liquid fuel enters the components, so that is at your risk.

 

Overfill the bladder and it might flow fuel back out the fill hole when you remove the nozzle. I've seen it once and will not do that again. It's winter now and the bladder will be smaller. I would not worry about it. It will be fine in the summer.

 

Aradman where are you? I too have a 2009 and live in PA. I have that problem during the winter months. My fuel bars drop quickly. My last fill up I had three bars remaining, but I could only put in 6.629 gallons - and that's after the the pump clicked off and I forced in an extra gallon. During the summer months I can drive 100+ miles before the first bar will drop off the fuel gauge. The most I've ever put in during the summer months is 8.8 gallons, and that was filling up at 1 bar. -- I think it's just the way the car is... I wish there was a conversion kit! I'd be willing to spend $400-$500 to have an acurate fuel gauge!

 

When low-vapor nozzles were implemented in California several years ago, I was unable to get a complete fill even in warm weather. After researching (and experimenting), I concluded that the station pump nozzle was shutting off early due to pressure buildup in the tank. The solution for me was to put the pump nozzle on slow fill (first click) and to pull the pump nozzle seal (rubber) away from the Prius tank opening during the filling process. Using this method, I have filled up numerous times since without premature pump shut-off!

 

Do verify for yourself that it really is a Touring model, don't simply trust the seller's word. The fraction of used Prii labeled as Touring is much larger than the fraction Toyota actually built.

For you bladder refill problems, besides experimenting with slower fill speed and topping off, see also this thread: It only took 6 gallons this morning... Refill inconsistencies seem to be very common in Gen2, I even experienced it on a rental unit in warm weather.

 

PS. Welcome to the forum!

Here is another post to read:

fuel guage with blinking 1 left, how many much gas left? | PriusChat

 

I like my car but I dislike the fuel bladder. That is the thing that I would most like to be changed.

 

Have you tried disconnecting the negative battery terminal to reset the computers?

 

"
The differences are in what the Touring Edition adds to the Prius. Here's a list:

• Sport-tuned suspension
• 16-inch wheels with alloy rims
• A larger spoiler
• High-intensity discharge (HID) headlights and fog lights"

Link HowStuffWorks "Prius and Prius Touring Comparison"

 

That's why Toyota left the bladder fuel tank. On paper it has some great advantages but it has real world problems. I got stranded with my 2005 Prius in 2010 when I went from 3 bars to none in minutes.

 

To determine real MPG, keep a fuel logbook. I put the numbers into a spreadsheet, but others use Fuelly online or any of numerous smartphone apps. The only real way to overcome the bladder variation is to average together many consecutive tanks. Keep track of the car's displayed MPG too, so you can compare against the fuel pump calculation and estimate the display error. After that, the display should be a good indicator for short trips. Most Gen2 owners have found the display to be fairly good, better than the later Gen3s.

The wider tires on the Touring will cost a few MPG. And since the original tires are likely gone, you need to check the current tire model against the lists of Low Rolling Resistance models. Non-LRR tires will cost some MPG. Note also that new tires will temporarily cost some MPG until they are worn in.

What is your tire pressure?

Is the battery original, or a replacement? If it is getting weak, it might depress MPG. And in the cold and moderate portions of the U.S., MPG is lower in winter than in early fall, due to temperatures, fuel blend changes, and wetter roads.

Also, read through the post linked below If you post answers to this thread, we will have more clues to suggest other factors.
Fuel economy complaints/queries? Please copy, paste & answer these questions, esp. if you're new

 

Aardman - My 2006 only takes 8 gals in winter and never reaches 400 miles per tank
In summer yes I can usually get 9.o maybe 9.5 gals and can sometimes exceed 450 miles per tank.
Sounds like your 2006 may have had a better bladder than most.

 

Aardman,

Greeting from Texas. I note you are in KC. With that said, you are pretty much in the dead of winter. Just as a reminder you have several things working against you right now that will affect mileage on the Prius. That would be the following: cold temps first and foremost, followed by the bladder which is not real flexible right now (already mentioned). Those things you really cannot control and must just live with it.

Things you can look for and change for the better. Check the 12 volt battery. Check the air pressure on the tires. Pump them up if they are anywhere close to the door sticker. Check the type and brand of tires on the car. Are they true LRR tires? Change the oil and filter in the ICE, run synthetic as this will help to improve mileage. Make sure the oil level on the dipstick is less than full. Check the air filter, if it is dirty, change it. Practice Pulse and Glide when you can do it safely without impeding the flow of traffic.

I understand you have already owned one Prius so everything I mentioned should be second nature to you.

Concerning the computers on the Prius. If you do disconnect the battery, pretty much everything goes back to default. Now whether that will help your mileage may be another story.

As other's have mentioned, please ignore instantaneous mileage for the most parts, concerning trips. You need to look at the bigger picture. In other words, what the MPG is over several tanks. Run a spread sheet or use Fuelly.com or something similar. Ignore individual tanks as the bladder does not always stretch the same time when you refuel, which will make it look like the MPG changed for some reason. Try to get into the habit of filling the same way every time. It seems the bladder is best filled if you fill at the slowest setting on the handle. When the pump stops, hang up the nozzle. Also you may have better luck if you loosen the cap halfway, then go inside and prepay. When you come back out, then take the cap off and refuel, OR loosen the cap half way, then check your oil and fluids before you begin to pump the fuel in if you are using a credit/debit card. It seems that the bladder will fill a little more consistantly if you allow the system to vent a little bit before pumping the gas in.

For the most part, you should find the MFD reading should be within a couple of miles if you run the guessgage down to two or three pips AND if you reset it once when you refill. It seems the MFD reads a little higher than actual mileage, and if you make note of the figure each time you fill up you should see a trend over time. If you see crazy numbers, ex: MFD reads 53, MPG was 36, then next tank MFD reads 45, MPG was 54 etc. you then know that the bladder did it's thing (not expand/collapse normally).

The '09 has a EPA estimate of 48 City and 45 Highway. Remember that your mileage may vary. Click on my fuelly link in my signature here on PC, and that will give you an idea of how our Prius is doing over time. Yours will probably be similar or better depending on how you use the Climate Control. If hover your mouse over the little yellows squares, you can read the notes for each fill I have recorded on Fuelly.

Good luck to you and I hope the info helps.

Ron

 

I had the same thing happen to me. I always go to the same pump at a certain gas station and had never had a problem. I went to fill one day and the usual pump that I use was not available. I typically fill when I am on the "blinking light." Most fill ups are 9.5 to 11.74 gallons.

I was stunned when the person filling the tank said it was full at 5.87 gallons! In N.J. we have attendants to pump fuel. Again, the next time I went back to fill after the "blinking light" came on my usual pump was again being occupied. I went to the same pump as before and this time only 5.99 gallons could go into the tank! This time I pumped the fuel. I didn't know what to think, but knew something wasn't right.

The very next time my usual pump was available and I pumped the usual 9.47 gallons! I knew then that the problem was with the pump and not my Prius. The other pump apparently was much more high pressure causing the premature click-offs! I have not had any issues since and will not fill up at that one problem pump. As Mr. Wong suggests, try a different pump. I hope this helps!

 

Ditto....... enjoy the Guess Gauge!
It takes a bit to get used to, once you realize it has quirks, and you learn them and how to live with them, you will be fine! I just fill up when there is two pips, top the tank, it's about 8 gal, if I push, have done 9. I have never filled to double digits however!
Wait until summer. Your new car will be normal, in livable temps, fill ups will be easier to figure out!