Bladder? Flashing pip? You guys have me scared

I fill at 3 pips remaining. That's what fits well in my weekly schedule.

I have gone to two pips without anxiety.

 

When the 1 pip starts flashing, thats when you really need to get gas, but why do people do that, its not like you are saving anything by trying to use every drop in the tank before you put more in.

Two pips is BEST, at one pip PUT GAS IN FOR SURE, at FLASHING ONE PIP, GET GAS NOW! Best explanation I can come up with.

 

It depends how far you are from a gas station. On the highway, I start thinking about gas when I get down to two pips. I'm not worried at that point, I just start looking for a good stop. If I get to one pip, then I get gas at the next convenient exit. If the last pip starts flashing, I get gas whether it's convenient or not.

Tom

 

i ran out of gas twice to see how far a flashing pip would take me. i got 80-90 miles on a flashing pip with 52MPG. i was prepared and had a gas can in the car, but i wouldn't reccomend filling up on the side of a freeway. the actual miles you get after the pip depends on the number of "cold" starts, how fast you go ect. but i would say a flashing pip is about 2 gallons left, calculate that with MPG's (underestimate) and you will know how far to go, the previous post is correct you don't really gain anything and i might damage the car, so fill up on 1 pip, before flashing pip.

 

I am not quite sure why everyone likes to challenge the guess-gauge. When the gauge is down to one pip GET GAS, it is that simple. You won't run out and you won't damage the Traction Battery. The car is still giving you better gas mileage than any other passenger vehicle out today. Just fill it up!!!!

 

I pass several gas stations on my commute to and from work so knew there would not be a problem getting gas when needed. I went to flashing PIP andpulled into the next station for fillup. After four times I put in almost exactly 10 gals. (10.1-10.3). Now I fillup when @ 2 PIPs. but have a good idea where i am as far as fuel. I live in east Texas so don't have as much problem with bladder as colder areas. Remember to fill @ slowest setting and stop when it shuts off.

 

I ensure that I fill up within 10-15 miles after the last PIP starts flashing.

Oh, and thanks for the info on the distance to running out of gas PSI. "80-90 miles after the flashing PIP" good to know. However, I know that there is a bit of computer calibration involved in the Prius gas gauge. So, I wonder if there is a variation in the volume left after that last pip starts flashing.

 

Yeah, I don't think you can count on that. Seems there a number of stories of folks running out after more like 30-40 miles. I suppose one could say YMMV

Don't worry too much about it courtgal. Its really just common sense. When the gauge gets down low, its a good idea to put gas in. If the last pip starts flashing and the "Add Fuel" warning comes up on the screen you should find a gas station asap. The only folks who have really gotten into any trouble are those that second guess the gauge. Either by assuming there must still be plenty of gas in the tank and keeping driving, or by assuming the tank must not really be full and trying to repeatedly add more gas to it. If you just wait until it gets low, then fill it up like any other car and put the pump away when it clicks off you'll be fine. If you want to try and get a little more fuel into the bladder, you can fill up slowly and at the warmest time of day. Doing this can help it stretch out a little more.

BTW, I fill up at the same time as Winston, and for the same reason. But then I live in a city with a gas station on practically every corner. On long trips or in rural areas I fill up at ~2 pips just to be safe. Same goes for any other car really.

Rob

 

Fill up often. Each day you wait, the gas prices will go up a few cents. Dont wait! FILL UP NOW!

Seriously, I filled up last night for $3.55, Shell Regular. Today its $3.59. Boy, was I smart not to wait, and I only had two pips left!

 

I also wait until last pip starts to blink and have calculated almost exactly the same '80-90 miles left'. BUT, I always take the safe road and never push it more then 50 miles after the last pip starts to blink. I have done this on numerous occasions and been completely fine. As a matter of fact, when I have done this I think my average gallons put in have been between 10-10.5

 

i've noticed that my guage will drop from 1 pip over 1/2 to 2 below 1/2 in about 60 miles. then when i filled up at 1 pip i was putting in about 71/2 gallons. does anyone elses guage drop that fast? seems strange to me. it's not my driving....really!

 

Completely normal.

Tom

 

My wife ran out of gas earlier this week...10 miles after the last pip started flashing. Good thing she was only a mile from a gas station.

Ed

 

Prices in my area, Boynton Beach, Florida, can vary as much as $0.20 a gallon within a 30 mile radius. When I see 2 PIPs I start thinking about gas. Depending on where I am and where I have to go in the next day or so I may wait to fill up. While I don't drive around to save a 2-3 cents a gallon if I know of a station with much lower prices along my route, I'll wait.

If I hit one PIP it is pretty much the next station unless they are really high, then it is the second next station.

Bob

 

that really is strange how different these "same" cars are. i have an 05, which one does she have?

 

I have an '03 Prius and have let my gas gauge get to the "flashing point" a few times. It finally became one time too many and I had to have the sensor that goes from the bladder to the computer replaced. At 200 and something dollars! So don't let it get to that point!!!

 

My driving habits and wanting to make sure I get the lowest prices has me filling up when I hit 5 pips left.. Normally that is about 4.5 to 5 gals..

 

Smart idea, doesn't cost any more to drive on the top half than the bottom half and the mileage will be the same. I should do the same, but I usually let mine get down to two or three pips. I have never seen one pip.