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Stuck Gas Gauge

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ServoScanMan, Apr 11, 2007.

  1. ServoScanMan

    ServoScanMan Member

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    I'm on afternoons this week. I needed to check out a motor mount on my son's 93 Camry and let him drive the Prius. I drove the Camry to work. Last night when I arrived home, my son was putting some gasoline in the Prius with a plastic gasoline container. He told me it only had one bar left on the gas guage and he put about 1 1/2 gallons of gasoline in the Prius.

    This morning I checked the gas guage and it showed one pip. I put another gallon of gasoline and rechecked the guage. It still showed one pip. I put another 1 1/2 gallons in the tank and the gauge still showed one pip. Now I'm confused.

    On my way to work I decided to stop by WalMart to fill the car up because I have heard of the horror stories of running out of gas. Only after I filled the tank up, and restart the car did the guage increase. The car only took a little more than 6 gallons of fuel at WalMart.

    Anyone know why this would happen or has anyone heard of this before?
     
    #1 ServoScanMan, Apr 11, 2007
  2. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

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    The Prius will register only if you put in more than 3 gal. of gas.
     
    #2 ScottY, Apr 11, 2007
  3. ServoScanMan

    ServoScanMan Member

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    Thanks for the quick reply. Do you know if the car will let you know before you run out of fuel in this senerio? Is there a visual indicator? I have never let the car get this low on fuel but it would be nice to know.
     
    #3 ServoScanMan, Apr 11, 2007
  4. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

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    ServoScanMan, I have not experience this situation, so I can't tell you for sure. Logically, if the Prius didn't register the fuel you put in, then it won't give you further warnings.
     
    #4 ScottY, Apr 12, 2007
  5. bpeschka

    bpeschka Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ServoScanMan @ Apr 11 2007, 07:49 PM) [snapback]421846[/snapback]</div>
    You do get a visual indicator.

    I had a low fuel light/icon come on last week as my gas got low. It was when I was somewhere on the lower end of one bar. Sorry I don't remember more specifics. I didn't do the ultimate test to see how long I could drive, until empty, once the light comes on. Will let someone else report on that. :D

    Good Luck
     
    #5 bpeschka, Apr 12, 2007
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ServoScanMan @ Apr 11 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]421846[/snapback]</div>
    The 1st indicator that it is time to buy gas is the flashing pip and 1 sharp beep. I think it starts to beep more frequently as it gets emptier. It is also reported that a message comes up on the MFD but I haven't gone that far. We call it the "guess gauge" for good reason. I'm not sure anyone knows exactly what it will do in your situation.
     
    #6 JimN, Apr 12, 2007
  7. Charles Suitt

    Charles Suitt Senior Member

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    :rolleyes: Page 122 of the 2007 Owner's Manual comments "When you refuel less than..."

    Lots of good info. in that Owner's Manual.
     
    #7 Charles Suitt, Apr 13, 2007
  8. alexstarfire

    alexstarfire New Member

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    I know that if you only have one pip, or perhaps a flashing pip, that you get the MFD message when you turn the car on. I always drive 10x my mpg until I go fill up. I only really get worried about gas if it's in the middle of the night or there isn't anywhere to get gas.
     
    #8 alexstarfire, Apr 13, 2007
  9. bpeschka

    bpeschka Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BillP @ Apr 12 2007, 03:54 PM) [snapback]422222[/snapback]</div>
    I got low on gas again today. Had been on one bar for 10 or 15 miles. Got a quick beep or two, "Low Fuel" flashed up on the top (left?) of the MFD, where other status come and go. The first bar started flashing, and some label like "Lo Fuel" appeared in blue just to the NorthEast of the fuel gauge bars. This all happened while I was driving, so I don't know what it would have done again had I stopped the "engine" and restarted while still empty. Guess I could have checked that aspect out before filling but didn't.

    Was out in the sticks, saw some pumps and filled up. Of course paid .20/gal more than I should have.
     
    #9 bpeschka, Apr 14, 2007
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