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More fuel than tank capacity

Discussion in 'Prius v Fuel Economy' started by ricomtl, Sep 14, 2015.

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  1. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    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.
     
    #21 CR94, Sep 15, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2015
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Toyota typically leaves 10 litres (2.6 US gallons) of reserve.
     
    #22 Tideland Prius, Sep 15, 2015
  3. LDB

    LDB Member

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    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.
     
    #23 LDB, Sep 15, 2015
  4. ricomtl

    ricomtl Member

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    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.
     
    #24 ricomtl, Sep 15, 2015
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  5. ricomtl

    ricomtl Member

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    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!
     
    #25 ricomtl, Sep 30, 2015
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is volkswagon in the gas pump manufacturing business?
     
    #26 bisco, Sep 30, 2015
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  7. ricomtl

    ricomtl Member

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    That's a good one! :)
     
    #27 ricomtl, Sep 30, 2015
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    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.
     
    #28 Mendel Leisk, Sep 30, 2015
  9. ricomtl

    ricomtl Member

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    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!
     
    #29 ricomtl, Sep 30, 2015
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    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.
     
    #30 Mendel Leisk, Sep 30, 2015
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  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    That is what happens when you spend too much time associating with backwards imperial-system Americans. :)
     
    #31 fuzzy1, Sep 30, 2015
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I do not know, I felt right at home in Hawaii, felt like I'd travelled back in time. :)
     
    #32 Mendel Leisk, Sep 30, 2015
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  13. chipr

    chipr Junior Member

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    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?
     
    #33 chipr, Feb 4, 2017
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it doesn't have a blatter. if you put too much gas in, you can destroy the charcoal evap canister.
     
    #34 bisco, Feb 4, 2017
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  15. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    1) this thread has been idle since Sept 2015

    2) there is no bladder.

    3) 11.9 gal. (45 L, 9.9 Imp.gal.)
     
    #35 JimboPalmer, Feb 4, 2017
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  16. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    12g if you spill some...
     
    #36 Air_Boss, Feb 4, 2017
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