Just got my '08 Prius (73k miles), and it’s my first time running a full tank to empty. I’ve driven 388 miles so far, and there’s only one bar left on the gauge. The low fuel light hasn’t come on yet, and I’m a bit worried it might not. Don’t want to run out of gas by mistake! How far can I stretch this last bar? Also, can I be sure that the low fuel light will come on when it’s really low?
The fuel bladder in the 2nd Gen Prius is tricky. It’s not always accurate, which can be annoying. Next time you fill up, try recalibrating the fuel gauge; it might give you a more reliable reading. Here’s a link that shows how to do it:
But yeah, I’d just suggest filling up whenever you can and not pushing it too far.
Running the tank too low can actually hurt your fuel pump, so it’s best to avoid it.
The tank holds around 12 gallons, but there’s a bladder inside that affects how much you can fill it. It changes with the temperature, so you might notice differences. I’d say just fill it up when you can to avoid the hassle.
I usually don’t put in more than 10 gallons on my ‘09. About 7 is the norm. When I’m down to 1 bar, I fill it up right away. I don’t take risks once it hits 2 bars because it can vary a lot, especially with the temperature.
@Juno
I pushed it once—around 80 miles with the gas indicator blinking. Luckily, the battery got me to a gas station. I wasn’t paying attention and learned my lesson. Not doing that again.
Ezri said:
@Juno
I pushed it once—around 80 miles with the gas indicator blinking. Luckily, the battery got me to a gas station. I wasn’t paying attention and learned my lesson. Not doing that again.
80 miles? That’s pretty wild and definitely nerve-wracking. I start worrying at 20, but your story makes it seem like there’s a 2-gallon reserve.
I’ve managed to get 20 miles after the bars disappear completely.