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Low fuel warning came on with 3 gallons still in the tank

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Soylent, Sep 12, 2006.

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  1. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Sep 12 2006, 01:14 PM) [snapback]318535[/snapback]</div>
    I visualize it as a balloon in a bottle. Not a normal balloon, but one that doesn't give that much or gets stiff when cold.
     
    #21 aaf709, Sep 12, 2006
  2. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Sep 12 2006, 04:14 PM) [snapback]318535[/snapback]</div>

    [attachmentid=4992]

    [attachmentid=4994]

    [attachmentid=4995]
     

    Attached Files:

    #22 Tempus, Sep 12, 2006
  3. Tom_06

    Tom_06 Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Sep 12 2006, 04:14 PM) [snapback]318535[/snapback]</div>
    Here you go:

    [attachmentid=4998]

    At 57, it really hasn't been troubling me that much, maybe once a night. However, the Prius has a system like this:

    [attachmentid=4997]

    - Tom
     

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    #23 Tom_06, Sep 12, 2006
  4. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    So, you are believing you have 10.6 gallons at 14F and 11.9 gallons at 14.1F. :)

    Ken@Japan
     
    #24 ken1784, Sep 12, 2006
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Sep 12 2006, 04:32 PM) [snapback]318638[/snapback]</div>

    so if I'm interpreting correctly, some of the lines are INSIDE the tank and therefore when the bladder expands, it can't expand right to the walls of the tank in some places because of these lines (which I presume are between the bladder and the metal tank). If that's the case, that'll explain why most of us can't reach that 11.9 gallon (although some of us can). If the bladder wasn't there, that means those lines would be submerged in fuel, right?
     
    #25 Tideland Prius, Sep 12, 2006
  6. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    One further data point I've read. If you do run out, you will have to add at least three gallons before the fuel is picked up. Appearantly, when driving it sloshes around and picks up that much more than when stopped. Presumably it collects in the sub-tank where the pump is.

    Usually this type of design it intended to perform two functions:
    First, it keeps fuel around the pump, already posted why (cooling of the pump).
    Second, any water or dirt that gets in will stay in the bottom of the tank, not to be picked up by the pump.
     
    #26 David Beale, Sep 12, 2006
  7. mcbrunnhilde

    mcbrunnhilde Opera singin' Prius nut!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Sep 12 2006, 12:46 PM) [snapback]318522[/snapback]</div>
    EVERY PUMP NOZZLE IS DIFFERENT! Even at the same station there can be a wide variation in when the nozzle clicks off. Yes, you have mild weather in Florida and the bladder wouldn't shrink much, but the computer sensors in your car (the ones that make the gas gauge start blinking) are going to be much more accurate than the click-off calibration on a gas station's pump.
     
    #27 mcbrunnhilde, Sep 13, 2006
  8. Soylent

    Soylent The v isn't a station wagon! It's just big boned

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Sep 12 2006, 09:10 PM) [snapback]318687[/snapback]</div>
    No you are going from one extreme to another. It's 90 degrees here in Miami every day. That's 32 C. Tell me, how much does it decrease at that temperature?

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom_06 @ Sep 12 2006, 07:44 PM) [snapback]318643[/snapback]</div>
    LOL that made me laugh, thanks Tom

    Thanks for that diagram, guys. I'm not sure why they did it that way, but I see lots of places fuel can hide.
     
    #28 Soylent, Sep 13, 2006
  9. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Sep 14 2006, 03:57 AM) [snapback]319056[/snapback]</div>
    No one knows.
    Anyway, your comments on the top of this thread, "I still had exactly 3 gallons left." is not correct as evryone comments.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #29 ken1784, Sep 13, 2006
  10. KTPhil

    KTPhil Active Member

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    All you have to visualize is yourself walking a few miles with a gas can and you have your answer.
     
    #30 KTPhil, Sep 13, 2006
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