Car dies because only a quarter tank of gas?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dri @ Jul 30 2006, 10:52 AM) [snapback]294608[/snapback]</div>

Complete BS, if you've had all of your Special Service Campaign (SSC) work done. Did you?

EDIT: Just noticed this is a 2006 Prius we're talking about, here. I don't believe there were any fuel bladder/system SSCs on the '06 model.

Did the service person pull any codes from the car, or just tell you that you were "probably out of gas?"

 

what were the codes that they pulled? until you get them and there should be several with all the lights on, I'd have to believe Brandon on their explanation. With out the low warning light coming on there should still be a couple of gallons of gas left in the tank. If his explanation was correct there would be dead Prius all over S. Cal and AZ.

 

did you recently fuel your car on a surface that wasn't flat? if you run out of gas with a couple bars left the inclinometer may be off.

 

The same exact thing happened to me yesterday (one bar, not blinking instead of two but still...) I went on electiric for about a 1/2 mile then nothing. I was about a 1/2 a mile from a gas station and bought an gas can and a couple gallons and then went to fill up. Then all was good, but concerning. Even more odd is I only filled up with 10 gallons (including the 2 from the can). And I pumped slow... etc etc. all the stuff I normally do. What gives?

I survived, after also thinking someone stole my Prius fro the side of the road... and calling the police. Long story....

If anyone else has ideas, I'd love to hear them. Never the less, I think I will always fill up at 400 miles to be safe!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dri @ Jul 30 2006, 10:52 AM) [snapback]294608[/snapback]</div>

How many bars were on the gas gauge when you left it? Is it possible that you did not turn it OFF for that hour? It's easy to do if you're distracted or in a hurry.

 

Get the codes and let us help you!

 

sounds like BS.

Now.. if you ran out of gas, they may have programed the prius to be similar to the RX400h computer. Three failures to start on the Gas engine and the computer locks you out. Tow to dealer, no pass go or collect 200... shucks...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dri @ Aug 3 2006, 11:31 AM) [snapback]297006[/snapback]</div>

DRI, you can leave the car running with the SKS and walk away I do it all the time. I put the key in my pocket, start the car, forget something in the house and run back in, at least 50ft away, and the car does not shut itself off.

But, being you had 2 pips left on the gas gauge, it should have been fine. This is the 2nd post on this I have seen in 2 days and both service people said almost the same thing, I think Toyota needs to step up and send out a bulletin to their Tech's letting them know that you can go all the way down on gas, and you don't need a 1/2 or 1/4 tank when you fill up.

Phil

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dri @ Aug 3 2006, 11:31 AM) [snapback]297006[/snapback]</div>

Umm, no, SKS won't let you *lock* it while in READY. You can certainly leave it in READY and walk away, and it will keep running. It will beep at you briefly, but the beep could go unheard.

Or there could be a problem in the fuel gauge. Take it to another dealer. The one who wouldn't give you the codes sounds less than helpful.

 

I really don't know anything other than to say I believe your story based on my own experience.

2 days ago when Chicagoland was smokin hot, I had 2 bars left when I went to fill up. I put in 10.474 gallons. I drove away thinking... That was odd, over 10 gallons when 2 bars remaining...

I do 10+ gallon fillups regularly, but typically have been on 1 bar for 20 or more miles or even had it blinking.

The super-hot thing could be throwing these cars off their calculations..

Is there an actual dipper thing in the gas tank that checks for actual liquid, or is the fuel gague based on amount of gas used on the mfd calculator somehow? Maybe on how much air gets into this bladder thing... Who knows the fuel tank?

 

'Triangle of Death Event'

This happened to me as well last December after having it for just two weeks. But I was driving with the warning light on trying to get to my normal station. It shut me down so I drove a short distance to an alternate station. What surprised me is that the pump shut off and I was only able to pump 9.5 Gal.

BTW is your Prius new? Less than a month old?

OTOH now that it's warmer, and the bladder is more flexible(?). I get down to one bar and on fillup find that I'm putting in 11+ gal ( 11.6 once ). The more I've driven the vehicle the more it seems to be able to take. True I bought it in winter and have done most of the driving in Summer but it seems that the bladder is able to take more fuel more consistently. It will be interesting to see what happens again when it gets cold and the bladder is not as flexible.

 

My new 06 ran out of gas 10 miles after the last bar started blinking!!! I pulled over right away, on a dead flat area (prior fill up at regular station, flat pad as usual)

Yes, I had 520 miles already on the tank so I should have known better. I usually just wait for the flashing light-warning and get gas.

Odd thing though, the AAA guy dumps 3-4 gallons in (from a 5 gallon can) and when I start the car the gauge goes up to almost 3/4 of a tank!!!!!!! WAY WRONG.
After 5 minutes of driving it drops down to about 1/3 tank !!!
TOYOTA are you reading this? Something is WAY off as far as repeatability of the gauge. Is it sticking or what?(bladder?)
This was at the week end of 113 F temperatures.
(same post in Fuel Economy Forum)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jul 30 2006, 10:14 AM) [snapback]294649[/snapback]</div>

Sorry for asking, but what is the "inclinometer" and how do you get it to reset?

Does anyone think that the problem is an issue with the 2006?

 

the inclinometer is involved in determining whether the car is on an incline and interpreting the fuel gauge's output accordingly. there's a rain-dance like procedure posted on the boards that some have gotten to work and others haven't. however, if you haven't fueled on an incline it's a non-issue.

for those of you curious, the fuel gauge has a float with a magnet attached, the magnet's position determines what's on the fuel gauge. the gauge is slow to change to ensure that the change in position is due to fuel levels actually getting lower and not a temporary road-related event.

 

Hi All,

I have not read through the whole thread. But has anybody suggested that water in the gas might be the cause? This would jive with the evidence is the uptake on the Prius bladder is on top of the bladder. Since the gas is floating on the water (I think I have this right?), as the fluid in the bladder is used up, eventually the water is being delivered to the fuel system.

I routinely run down to one pip and then refuel. No problems. Just after the change from 2 pips to 1 pip, I visit the gas station. I figure I can do this as the bladder keeps water condensation out of the gas as no atmosphere is sucked in as gas is used. In my previous cars I would have refueled at 1/3 to 1/4 (rather than 1/10 th on the Prius) of a tank to avoid exposing the air volume to too much condensation.

 

Unfortunately, your avatar doesn't say what area you live in. Most states have "Lemon Laws" ... and if your state has one similar to many ... I'd call the Toyota manager first, tell 'em about Mr. Indignant's response to your car being out of gas at 1/4 tank ... and kindly remind him/her that "only 2 more times" and THEIR Toyota Dealership will be giving you a FULL refund (including Tax License) and that car will be on the "Lemon list" so they'll have to unload it cheep, or alternativly, you'll be taking ownership of another new Prius. I probably shouldn't, but I always enjoy making the arrogant/dummies (Zoolanders, if you saw the movie) of the world, shape up & fly right.

 

Bladder on top of bladders? Theres only ONE bladder to my knowledge. The gas bladder.