I've read many posts about how much the bladder system sucks. I know it's environmentally more friendly, but I'd rather have a gas tank that is, my freezing nice person fingers friendly when it's -20, and I'm trying to pump. So the question is how hard/expensive would it be to install an OEM gas tank from Europe into the Prius? I've never seen this suggested. Maybe, we could partner up with some EU people who would want to do a Tank/Bladder swap. Just a thought.
My understanding is that the bladder is used to meet the emission standard on that country. Another words, is it legal to replace the catalyzer with non-standard one? Ken@Japan
Ken is right. You will violate state and federal emission standards, as well as your warranty, by replacing the US fuel tank. There's a good chance the car will not function properly either, since there are automatic tests made for fuel-vapor evaporation. Any significant change to the fuel system would likely require reprogramming of various computers in the car.
I don't understand this ongoing obsession with +/- 1 gallon of fuel. I guess the car is so perfect that people grasp after something to complain about. I agree the implementation makes the gas meter a little flakey. I do what my car tells me. When it says "add fuel" on the screen I do. I've notices maybe a difference of <1 gallon between summer and winter. That's something like 45 miles. Over a winter that might force you to fill up gas say 1 more time during normal driving conditions. My advice would be to find a full service station and "live with it"
The only reason I ask, is that it really sucks to fill up when it's really cold. And if you have to trickle the fuel in to be able to pump at all when it's cold, I would rather have a tank that dosen't expand, or contract when it's cold outside.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(vengo97 @ May 9 2007, 03:33 AM) [snapback]438128[/snapback]</div> Trickle in fuel? Find another station that maintains their nozzles. In the coldest weather (0 deg F) I just set the pump on automatic and get back in the car. When it clicks off I get back out and maybe click it once or twice more if the fillup seems low given the MPG display. That s it - no different than any other car except the # of gallons and the $$ out of wallet. And I don't run the pump on the slowest speed. Yes, I get 1 or 2 gallons less into the car in winter than in summer. Parts of me shrink in cold weather as well. You want a car that's hard to get gas into, you should try a 1995 Ford Contour. It didn't have no bladder and it often would refuse anything above 1/2 tank. Even if you could fit a european fuel tank, the tank costs around $900. Add in shipping, labor, and whatever the cost of defeating all the missing sensors and pollution control connections you are talking about the equivalent of 15,000 to 20,000 miles of driving at today's gas prices. Not a good return on investment. - Tom
Oh, I have never had a problem with having to 'trickle' fill the car. I just put the pump in and go for full speed until it clicks. I get about a gallon less in winter but then again that cuts down the time I have to stay outside each time so maybe it's a good thing. If you need to trickle fill the tank I would, as tom suggested, try other gas stations.
