1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Is there anything that I can do to fill the Prius gas tank to capacity (or 10-11gal.) in the winter?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by rubberpill2002, Feb 17, 2009.

  1. rubberpill2002

    rubberpill2002 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2009
    10
    0
    0
    Location:
    Wilmington, DE
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    I have a 2009 Prius which I fill up at 2 bars on the gas gauge, but it will only take 6 gallons or so. Is there a way to fill it the full capacity or at least close (10-11 gallons). There has to be some where to stretch out the bladder in the winter...
     
    #1 rubberpill2002, Feb 17, 2009
  2. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2004
    1,247
    124
    0
    Location:
    SW-Side of Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Re: Is there anything that I can do to fill the Prius gas tank to capacity (or 10-11gal.) in the win

    In the winter no. In the summer, fill it up, push the car side-to-side to burp the tank, fill more, repeat until your satisfied.

    Wayne
     
    #2 FireEngineer, Feb 17, 2009
  3. judymcfarland

    judymcfarland Queen of Moral Indignation

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2006
    578
    4
    0
    Location:
    Glendale, WI
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Re: Is there anything that I can do to fill the Prius gas tank to capacity (or 10-11gal.) in the win

    Oh man, the youngest child is almost 40 & now I have to start burping my "baby"?
     
    #3 judymcfarland, Feb 17, 2009
  4. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: Is there anything that I can do to fill the Prius gas tank to capacity (or 10-11gal.) in the win

    Yep, but no need to hold it over your shoulder or change nappies.
     
    #4 patsparks, Feb 17, 2009
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,075
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Re: Is there anything that I can do to fill the Prius gas tank to capacity (or 10-11gal.) in the win

    At two bars a six gallon fill *is* capacity, especially in cold weather. You have to run it dry to get ten gallons.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Feb 17, 2009
  6. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,767
    5,251
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Re: Is there anything that I can do to fill the Prius gas tank to capacity (or 10-11gal.) in the win

    I wait until blink.

    That consistently means 8 gallon refills, regardless of distance or season.
    .
     
    #6 john1701a, Feb 17, 2009
  7. Graz

    Graz Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2005
    178
    28
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Re: Is there anything that I can do to fill the Prius gas tank to capacity (or 10-11gal.) in the win

    I have NEVER pit more than 10 gallons. I drive until I hear the beep then I set Trip A to zero. I have NEVER run out of gas. I have had over 40 miles on the TripA meter after the alarm went off. Though I rarely go far over 400 Miles per tank. I sometimes even get three weeks on a tank!

    In my years of surfing PriusChat I have decided that we "Prius People" need to be a little less anal about completely filling each tank. There are too many differences in the counter pressure sensors of all the various gas pumps to get a consistent fill anyway. Add to that the issues that the gas bladder add to the mix. Temperature, Time of day… There are too many variables in the formula.

    Granted... I say all of this knowing that I have an Excel spreadsheet with every cent I have ever spent on this car. EVERY tank full. Every wiper blade. Every filter. Everything! If I had access to that data now I could confirm that I get something like $0.45 per mile. (I think it should be better than that too).

    Happy Priusing!
    :rockon:
     
    #7 Graz, Feb 18, 2009
  8. fgoodyear

    fgoodyear New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2007
    187
    11
    0
    Location:
    Tillson, New York
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Re: Is there anything that I can do to fill the Prius gas tank to capacity (or 10-11gal.) in the win

    Winter in upstate New York...... I get the blink and the "add fuel" light....... I drive another 15 miles and put in 10.2 gal. The outside temp was apx. 28 degrees. In the summer, if I let it get to the "blink"... which usually I don't, I have put in 11.5 gallons as the tank is 11.9 capacity. I do have to burp it. If this is overfilling, then something is wrong. If the capacity is 11.9 it should hold 11.9 without doing any damage. I have 45k on it and have yet to have any problems.:cool:
     
    #8 fgoodyear, Feb 19, 2009
  9. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,041
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: Is there anything that I can do to fill the Prius gas tank to capacity (or 10-11gal.) in the win

    Resist the temptation to top off. It risks spilling fuel and increases hydrocarbon emission pollution.
     
    #9 richard schumacher, Feb 19, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)