[WARNING] Running out of gas (Gen III)

A few years ago a friend "borrowed" our '05. Ran it dry. He put in a gallon, did not help, would not go. Dealer came to pick it up. They put in a gallon. No go. Previously I had read on PriusChat somewhere that it takes 3 THREE gallons to get the fuel pump primed, told the dealer tech, fired right up.

Remember 3 gallons!!!!!!! (at least on an '05 !!!!)

 

I just don't get it. If I ran the tank dry on my FJ, and expected the thing to keep running, I'd be called a fool or an idiot. I've never let the gas tank on any vehicle I've ever owned - Prius included - get below 1/4

 

Thanks Bob, for all of your testing. ​

Thanks to those who remind us “Don’t try this at home.”​

​

One thing I'm interested in, especially with the other thread on here about the conservative fuel gauge is the physical layout of the tank and the position of fuel pump. It’s said (I don’t have it here to check) that the manual recommends re-filling at a quarter tank, which to me seems like about 4+ gallons remaining in the tank. I wonder if there is any data or consensus on how much fuel is required to cool the pump and keep it running well for a long time. Seems like at a quarter tank, there is a lot of fuel left and while I wouldn’t normally not re-fuel, I might postpone it in certain circumstances if I knew I wasn’t doing long term damage to the fuel pump. ​

 

THANKS FOR THE UPDATE.

I am striving to get the worst MPG of any member of Prius Chat. I'm at 32 on my current tank and 42 overall with 1700 miles.

 

Congrats I guess

 

If that's the case, then be certain to use premium gasoline. That will help lower your gas mileage further......:loco:

 

I was down to 1 bar and i still didnt get any warning lights. When will i get my warning light?

 

Very interesting read. Thank you to all the posters who contributed information, especially Bob who performed the test. Now we know how far we can drive before running out of gas.

The only time I ran out of gas was in my 1992 Corolla. I drove 60km (about 45 miles) between when the fuel warning light turned on and when the engine stopped. I took this as my guideline when I got my 2002 Corolla. One time the fuel warning went on, I drove close to 60km but I never went beyond that knowing the car will run out of gas by then.

Nowadays I always fill up when the car is 1/4 full. But it's good to know.

It was also interesting to find out that the fuel gauge ignores the last 1/8 of the tank. I filled up 3 times already and I'm always scratching my head... (one bar left, but I only filled 33L (less than 9 gallons) of gas)

 

This I could not understand in the United States.

 

Bob, thanks for testing and reporting!

One question: does the Northern Tool Enviro-flow completely prevent the smell of gas fumes when storing it in your car? I checked Northern Tool's website and they say it "virtually eliminates emissions", but I'm curious if you still smell the gas.

Thanks!
Bryan

 

Late to this party but reading though since I filled up 9.6 gallons yesterday shortly after pip started blinking. When I read your post about Atlanta traffic I was reminded why I am soooo happy I no longer live there Almost anywhere else four accidents would be fiction but not ATL. I remember all the weekdays over 13 years when I had to plan which of three routes to take home in advance by listening to different radio traffic reports.

Every few weeks the guy in the heli would say...Kroger truck just ran over a pinto . Not to mention if you broke down (or ran out of gas) in the wrong place (just about anywhere), you had to lock yourself in the car and pray (even though I am agnostic). Oh and did I mention the 103% humidity...but I do miss the BBQ! I have rented cars in every major city, when working out of town, and I must say that if I was going to run out of gas in a major metro city, the PDX metro would be the place I would want to do it! But I will be sure to fill up as soon as the pip blinks.

PS I do appreciate the members that do experiment and add so much value...as I still have not had the guts to push the EV button.

 

"I still have not had the guts to push the EV button. "

That's shocking.

 

I'm finding all kinds of time I can spent running in EV!
Yesterday behind a convoy of construction trucks, ran in EV until I was able to pass them. Touch and go traffic on the freeway, Leaving and returning to my residential area. Basically, anytime I can go under 25 mph and have some battery, my rear is in EV!!

It's totally safe. If you need to go faster, the car automatically kicks you out of EV.


You gotta go for it girl....

 

Re: [WARNING] Running out of gas

Is the safety issued caused by Toyota not putting in a feature to let you run on the battery when you run out of gas or is it caused by you not refueling before it runs out of gas? Toyota put in a safety feature to help you prevent this safety issue from occuring. it is called the fuel guage.

 

Um...

WHO runs out of gas? Is filling up a fuel tank THAT difficult?

 

I don't understand why Prius owners are so tied up in getting the most out of a specific tank. Get over it, put gas in the car and run it!! I know an MD that would push his car to the gas station because he would wait too long. He tore his achille's tendon!! On crutches for months. Your mileage is the same if you fill up at 1/4 tank or 1/2 or let it go empty. It's just safer for all to do it before you run out.

 

I don't believe for a moment that most "Prius owners are so tied up in
getting the most out of a specific tank." A relatively small percentage
are, for God-only-knows-what reasons.

On the other hand, Bob Wilson has clearly set out the reasons for his
doing so.

There are lots of things to still be discovered, tested, and documented
about the Gen III. No big surprise, many of the operating algorithms
for the Gen II, and even the Gen I, remain mysteries. And Bob has
taken on the role of "crash test mannequin" for exploring the
envelope of what happens when the GEN III runs out of gas/petrol.

Bob, absolutely no pun or put down intended in the above graphic
allusion. I use it to suggest the potential for damage that you face in
your pursuit. You are putting you personal car at risk for all Gen III
owners' benefit. Good on ya'. You and others did the same thing for
the Gen II, and we all have benefited, though we rarely know who to
thank.

I for one say, thank you. :cheer2:
And please, keep up the good work. :rockon: