It would be better to put some such crap into the gas tank rather than die in the desert, but it is never necessary to allow such a situation to arise. And as you note it tends to sit around so long that it may become unuseable anyway. More likely, on some rainy day one would be tempted to use it instead of walking ten minutes to a gas station, and maybe damage the fuel system or engine. Fallback measures like this can be dangerous because they create a false sense of security.
I REALLY don't understand why there is not "DTE" Distance until empty logic on the computer...our 2004 Sienna has it, and it's very accurate...I guess I sort of assumed that the high tech car would...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mastergunnera8 @ Jul 18 2006, 10:58 AM) [snapback]288174[/snapback]</div> Because the Prius doesn't know the average rate at which it will be burning gas in the immediate future. Consider the circumstances under which you see the displayed MPGs vary between 99.9 and 15 or so; quick, now, tell us how much farther you can drive. Conventional cars' MPGs vary less, which allows usefully-accurate predictions.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jul 18 2006, 12:03 PM) [snapback]288177[/snapback]</div> That's kind of a cop out. Every car I've ever owned will get 99.9 coasting down a hill. The simple fact is because of the bladder even the car isn't sure how much gas it started with so there is no way to make a prediction based on average MPG for the tank like other cars do. Basically the bladder needs some work if it is going to become widespread.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Jul 18 2006, 10:03 AM) [snapback]288103[/snapback]</div> Well, I can't locate anyplace to get it anymore, but http://www.krbc.tv/Does%20It%20Work/DIW%20...tive_rescue.htm thought it was acceptable stuff. While NAPA had some nearly 2 years ago, I don't think I've seen any lately. Must be when the last batches expired, that was it...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jul 18 2006, 10:23 AM) [snapback]288115[/snapback]</div> Ummm, well, since one container worked for me before in my Sephia, it's not a FALSE sense of security. Darn car didn't read as empty as it was, and it took me quite a while to figure out it wouldn't start due to low fuel instead of some generic engine issue. I think I ordered the Prius about 3 months and $1000 worth of other (non-fuel) problems after that one. Perhaps we SHOULD all be perfect people: Stepford Consumers filling only just so full every other day to be sure we have enough but not too much fuel. Never ever have any other fallbacks, since they lead to complacency. No, no. Sheesh...
I'm not sure how it's packaged, but I'd still guess it's a flamable accelerant in a bottle that could be readily ruptured on impact, dispensed in a careening car with the driver and passengers and then ignited. Sounds like an ugly bet to me.
Well, that was interesting. Pennzoil technical support guy says the product died off when people didn't buy enough. Hasn't been made in 4-5 years, and he'd seen already-expired stuff still on store shelves. He suggested disposing of my current bottle, since it wouldn't be as good now as when it was in-season. Flashpoint was too high to worry about explosions, though. That's why engines ran rough when it was used. Too bad it wasn't all that cheap...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mastergunnera8 @ Jul 18 2006, 08:58 AM) [snapback]288174[/snapback]</div> So, how many times have you run the Sienna out of gas to verify the accuracy of this estimate?
It is interesting how so many people "think" they have more gas than they do, simply because they know it's an 11.9 gallon tank and the MFD says they are getting 50mpg, so by their calculation, they should be able to go X miles. Forget about the fact that the add fuel warning comes on... I wonder how many people have done this in their previous vehicles? I admit I have pushed it to the limit, but not by much. I have waited many times until the add fuel warning comes on, but I haven't gone much past that. I just don't think it's worth the risk. And I will add that for long trips, even if you are on half a tank, it's alwas a good idea to top off. Especially if you will be in an unfamiliar area and won't know where the nearest gas stations are easily or if they'll be open.
