Out of gas

The problem is that the bladder (especially when new and/or cold) makes it hard to determine if the tank is really filled or not. You may still be short, but since you can't put any more in, you think it's full.

Don't expect to use the batteries as a lifeboat every time. This will deplete them more than the EV mode and it could require you to go to a dealer for a recharge. One time shouldn't be a problem, but be aware. Take a look at this thread for more information.

 

Have you ever run out of gas on your other car? Why would you take the risk with the Prius? The gas pump needs the fuel for cooling. When you run out of gas, you may damage the gas pump. Also, driving on electric alone without gas can damage the hybrid battery by draining it too low. PLEASE, don't do it again.

Don't take this personal. From reading so many posts about running out of gas, I just can't figure out why.

 

I fill by pips remaining instead of distance. If it gets down to two, I fill.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kevin.will40 @ Jul 17 2006, 09:52 AM) [snapback]287582[/snapback]</div>

Base it off how many gallons you filled with previously instead of how big the tank is.

Previous fill is more reliable since the tank could've shrunk, and you never restretched it out (those of you that fill under 11 US gallons). I only go > ~550 miles per tank, but that's only because I fill > 11.1 gallons every time.

 

I ran out of gas on a long drive through Kansas. There was no place to fill up along the way, but my calculations told me I could make it to my destination. Problem was, I didn't have as much gas in the tank (12 gal) as I thought. Ran out 12 miles short of destination in 100 degree heat. Now I put in 1 additional gal after the nozzel clicks off when filling up.

When the last bar started to blink, it ran out of gas almost immediately. Don't count on the car going farther after it starts to blink. Mine didn't.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kevin.will40 @ Jul 17 2006, 11:06 AM) [snapback]287562[/snapback]</div>

I think there are only a couple people on here that would claim to the death that their mfd is 'right on'. Most would tell you that the mfd exagerates a bit.

My mfd reads high... If it says 54, I probably got 51 or 52mpg. If it says 57 on mfd, I probably gof 54 or 55 when I measure at the pump... Consistantly over 35 tanks of gas...

Yours probably reads high too... So, when you see 50 on the meter, you know you put in 10 gallons, you can figure you got about 48 actual mpg or 480 miles out of that 10 gallons.

From 480 to 530 when you ran out, you were driving on borrowed time.

If you want to be able to do what you are doing, you have to prep for it. Over about 10 tanks, learn how close the mfd is to the actual. After that, you can pretty much count on consistancy, and if you know how many gallons you put in last time, you can calculate gallons * mpg = probability miles. Beyond that guestimated number, you are driving on the dregs.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mikepaul @ Jul 17 2006, 12:03 PM) [snapback]287591[/snapback]</div>

How is this carried?

Do you smell gas vapors from this gas can?

Have you considered where you stash it and what happens when you get rearended (broadsided) and this fuel tank bursts and sprays the interior of your car with a thin coating of gas as airbags use explosive charges to detonate... Or, in a rollover.. The interior gets coated with gas, any little thing sets it off and you burn to death when you otherwise would have walked away...

That's an interesting choice that you won't see me making. I now have little choice but to transport gas for my mower in my prius. 3 miles from the station to home on lightly travelled roads. I don't like that gas in the cabin situation at all.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Jul 17 2006, 02:27 PM) [snapback]287668[/snapback]</div>

Depending on the size of your yard, you could always use a reel mower.... No gas required

 

OT, but I've got a friend who owns one of those electric (battery-run) mowers. It has little power, but it's almost quieter than my Prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kevin.will40 @ Jul 17 2006, 12:06 PM) [snapback]287562[/snapback]</div>

I don't get it??? Seems to be a fair amount of post from folks running out of gas. I have been driving for 27 years and have never run out of gas, except the time years ago on one of my cycles.

 

FJRCRAZED, I don't get it either. Dittos about not running out, except it's been 38 years for me, even when I was paying $5+/gal ('70s) and was impoverished I didn't run out.

But back to the original post...

Has the humor of this only hit me? Here is someone doing math exercises to figure out how far he can drive, when there IS A GAS GAUGE staring him right in the face telling him he's running out of gas!

Kevin, You didn't work at Three Mile island in the late '70s did you? ) (I know, Kevin.Will 40; I got it)

Relax, just having fun. You have to admit it's a fertile field you've given us. FWIW, you're not alone. Many folks would rather do what you did rather than trust a gauge or simply stop and fill up. I still don't get it and certainly don't understand it, but you've got lots of company.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kevin.will40 @ Jul 17 2006, 11:52 AM) [snapback]287582[/snapback]</div>

No, you *don't* know how far you can go. You know how far you could go *on that particular fillup*.

Watch the gas gauge. When the last bar starts to flash you are in imminent danger of running out.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mikepaul @ Jul 17 2006, 12:03 PM) [snapback]287591[/snapback]</div>

Carrying gas anywhere but in the tank is a foolish risk.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Jul 17 2006, 01:01 PM) [snapback]287617[/snapback]</div>

Wow, the planets must have aligned or something. A local TV station in Topeka just aired a short blurb tonight reminding people not to top off, for the reasons mentioned on that website. How's that for timing?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kevin.will40 @ Jul 17 2006, 09:06 AM) [snapback]287562[/snapback]</div>

Since this is one of your first posts here I'd like to suggest you are pushing the limits a bit too much. Believe it or not, the gas guage still gives you a fair idea about when you're about to become a glider. It might not be so cool if this happens on a remote road when the stations are closed for the night.

 

you ran out of gas because you were fooling around. lol..next time, put gas in when the gauge is low, say on one bar left and you will be fine.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jul 17 2006, 09:57 PM) [snapback]287902[/snapback]</div>

"Emergency fuel" isn't gas.

Pennzoil Rescue is supposed to be available somewhere, but I can't find a current link. If it was unsafe I think I'd find warnings about it, but maybe it became less of a need and was discontinued.

The Prestone (I think) stuff under the floor in the back of my car might not be any good anymore, but until I or somebody else needs to try it I won't chuck it...

 

So what's in it, and how is it packaged?
.
_H*