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Gas dashboard constant blink (Low Fuel)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by amar_vnl, Aug 15, 2007.

  1. amar_vnl

    amar_vnl New Member

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    When I first saw the low fuel warning on the dashboard, I pumped in 3 Gallons of Gas, but it still shows low fuel symbol(blinking) on the dashboard. Did any one experienced this and how can we resolve this.
     
  2. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    You can resolve that by pumping in more than three gallons of gas.

    You too have noticed that Prius idiosyncrasy.
     
  3. bmwquickspeed

    bmwquickspeed New Member

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    I have had this happen before with 2 gallons but ultimatly the best way to avoid this is pump more then 3 gallons.
     
  4. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    Filling the tank would be my first guess.
    And, uh, yeah... fill the tank.
     
  5. 1fixitman

    1fixitman Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ Aug 15 2007, 06:56 PM) [snapback]496453[/snapback]</div>
    Oboviously if you want to drive around for a 150 miles before each fill up and waste time to put in 2 or 3 gallons at a time then do it. Most people that I know that can afford a 20-27 thousand dollar vehicle has enough money to fill the tank each time. I am not being snotty here......why stop every few days for gas when you can fill it up each time to spend less time at the gas pumps and/or in line to pay if it does not accept credit cards? I forget the exact amount.......there is a minimum amount that you need to put in your tank before the gas light will reset and I can not remember for the life of me what that number is but I think it is between 4-6 gallons. I will try to find out and maybe remember to edit this post later.
     
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(D Rock @ Aug 15 2007, 09:56 PM) [snapback]496605[/snapback]</div>
    The only experience I have with putting in a little gas was topping off after the rally. I was down 1 pip and it stayed down. It registered normally after a couple more starts. Maybe my phrase needs to be restated. When the pip flashes BUY a LOT of gas NOW. :)
     
  7. amar_vnl

    amar_vnl New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Aug 15 2007, 06:26 PM) [snapback]496624[/snapback]</div>

    What worked is, I have pumped in some more gas then the dashboard is now showing accurately. But what still questions in my head is, after the flashing indicator(gas) how many miles we are ok to drive before we refill??
     
  8. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Amar @ Aug 17 2007, 02:47 PM) [snapback]498044[/snapback]</div>
    It varies. Some PC posters reported running out of gas within 10 miles of the low fuel warning while others have driven 100 miles, or more, before refueling and did not run out of gas before doing so.
     
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Amar @ Aug 17 2007, 05:47 PM) [snapback]498044[/snapback]</div>
    You can't do that kind of math with the U.S. version of the Prius, or you will find yourself on the side of the road out of gas. The fuel tank bladder makes the remaining fuel inconsistent, and with the Prius you get large variations in mileage. The best advice I can give is to fill up as soon as the flashing begins. I fill up before that. On the highway, I fill up once I get down to one bar.

    Tom
     
  10. justifyd

    justifyd New Member

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    As many others have said, the best thing to do is fill the tank.

    As a bonus, you'll prolong the life of the fuel pump. It's cooled by the fuel in the fuel tank, so keeping the tank nearly empty increases the odds the fuel pump could overheat and fail.

    As a second bonus, your engine will be happier. Impurities in the fuel tend to collect in higher densities near the bottom of the tank. Your engine would rather not have to put up with that stuff all the time.

    And the best bonus of all: Fewer stops at the gas station! It's great when I only have to stop once every two or three weeks. In between, I can drive by, smile, tell myself 'not today', and not have to worry about it!

    - Justifyd