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Gas gauge inaccurate ?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Superdrol, Mar 19, 2010.

  1. Superdrol

    Superdrol Member

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    I recently refilled my car last night with gas. The gas tank showed completely full except the very top bar. I went home then got back in later on to drive, in which the fuel tank showed completely full.


    Now again it shows all but one bar. I have not driven enough yet to where a fuel loss would already be incurred.

    Is this normal ? Not sure why it is going back and forth.
     
  2. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    I would say it's normal. If it starts going up three bars then down 4 bars something is wrong. But it sounds like yours is normal.
     
  3. Superdrol

    Superdrol Member

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    ok, i wasn't sure. It seems to tick back and forth. I remember this was an issue with the older Prius b/c of the bladder fuel tank, but the 2010 Prius has a rigid tank now.
     
  4. vday

    vday Member

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    My fuel gadge fluxuates during the first half of the tank - it can go down to 8 then back to 9 or 10
    It also fluctuates between 6 and 7
    During the second half this seems to occur less
     
  5. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    I've seen it even in the bottom half of the tank, as well as on analog gauges in all my older cars. Something looking all cool and electronic and digital doesn't always make it more accurate.
     
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Same here, one Prius and three prior analog gauge cars.

    If anyone thinks the dashboard gauge is bad, trying watching the ECU fuel level readout on a ScanGauge, reading to tenths of a gallon. It sloshes around far more than the dash gauge.