If you do all those things, you can get a LOT more than the claimed nominal capacity in the tank. The claimed capacity is probably very conservative (to keep us safe from running dry). On a regular 3rd generation Prius, 6L (1.6 US gal.) of fuel remains at low-fuel warning, according to Toyota, but people brave enough to test have found 2 to 2.5 gallons. Also on a 3rd generation, well over 6 liters (I don't know exactly how much) can be crammed in after a typical pump automatically shuts off, if you fill it really, really full (Gerdes-style) to the brim. Probably much the same is true of the Prius vagon. Still, it's surprising that ricomtl is routinely putting in more than claimed capacity with two "bars" remaining.
A few years ago I read an article from a source one would trust, although I don't recall which now and can't find it, but it said about 1 in 10 fuel pumps is inaccurate and surprise surprise surprise they are all in the pump's favor not the car's favor. I wouldn't totally doubt you did find two such pumps. I'm somewhat of a skeptic though.
I didn't even check the Measurement Canada seal sticker on the pumps (they usually indicate the last certification date/next due date)...but that doesn't really prove anything. The 2 stations I went to were large national brands (Petro Canada + Shell) however they were in rural areas nearby a highway where lots of tourists stop & go. I should've continued and filled it up to see how much more fuel I could've pumped in there, but even at 48L, I wasn't even feeling the usual overflow/bubbles you would expect. Anyhow, the good news is that as of my next fill up, (the 4th one) I will return to my regular station nearby my house whereby I've been going for the past 10yrs and never had such issues. I'll update this thread at that time.
Update!! I filled up today with 2 remaining pip (bars) as I did last time with about the same range to empty. I was able to fit 39L (10.3G) compared to 48L (12.7G) last time. Calculated MPG on Fuelly for that tank was 5.8L/100km (40.6mpg) vs car displayed 5.6L/100km (42mpg). I can only conclude the 2 pumps I went to in the last month for faulty! Thanks to everyone who shared their input on this!
The smoking gun in the above, for me, is that calculated mileage is better than displayed. Toyota is notorious for positive exaggeration of the fuel economy. Something going on here.
Well, it is a little more optimistic than calculated MPG's, but I can live with the subtle difference. I used to drive a Focus 2012 and my in-car MPG was consistenly way off from Fuelly. Even calculated MPG's never got near the EPA ratings. At least with my Prius, I'm very close!
Oh, excuse me, Alzheimer's moment: I misread the two values you posted, flipped them around. Yeah Toyota's displayed number is better, situation normal.
That is what happens when you spend too much time associating with backwards imperial-system Americans.
I've pumped 3 us gallons into my Prius v, after the pump kicked off, on more than one occasion. Also, the tank holds something between 10-15 gallons. If it's like the Gen2 I had, it has a rubber bladder that affects how much goes in and how full it will get under various (temp, etc.) conditions. Does anyone have specs on the v tank?
1) this thread has been idle since Sept 2015 2) there is no bladder. 3) 11.9 gal. (45 L, 9.9 Imp.gal.)
