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Prius and filling the tank

114 messages,  Last post on Jan 31, 2013 at 11:16 AM

You are in the Toyota Prius Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Fuel System, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 12

#1 of 114 Prius and filling the tank by jchshade1969

Mar 06, 2007 (12:00 pm)

I have a 2006 Prius and love it. However, when filling up my tank today, the gas pump kept cutting off, only putting 2 gallon in tank that was in need of at least 8 gallon. So I put another 1/2 gal. in and it cut off again. It's cold here in WV, is that my problem?

#2 of 114 Just an educated guess by pf_flyer HOST

Mar 06, 2007 (1:17 pm)

Sounds like this is something that just happened to you rather than a recurring issue. If that's the case, I'd be leaning towards a malfunction with the gas pump/filler nozzle rather than assuming it's a "problem" with your car.

#3 of 114 Re: Prius and filling the tank [jchshade1969] by railroadjames

Mar 06, 2007 (1:21 pm)

Replying to: jchshade1969 (Mar 06, 2007 12:00 pm)
After 3 1/2 yrs with an'04 Prius I've come to understand and deal with the quirks of the "bladder" gastank of the hybrid. Some stations' pumps deliver the gas at a higher volume than others. That being said, you have to gingerly release the gas nozzle slowly. You're right though as to the winter effect on the tank and its volume. I seldom can put more than 8-9 gallons in frigid weather. I suppose that Toyota feels the advantages of the "bladder" tank outway the quirks. Even the gauge can fail to show a full tank when you know its filled to the max.

#4 of 114 Re: Prius and filling the tank [jchshade1969] by pathstar1

Mar 06, 2007 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: jchshade1969 (Mar 06, 2007 12:00 pm)
The Prius fuel tank bladder requires a little pressure from the pump to expand. As pf_flyer said, the pump you used may be too sensitive. Also, if the nossle is a really tight fit it can cause problems. The Prius fuel bladder does get stiff in cold weather, and will usually accept a few gallons less than normal, but your estimate is too great for that to be the problem.
 
Try another pump/station, to confirm which case is the cause.

#5 of 114 Re: Prius and filling the tank [jchshade1969] by dgw2

Mar 18, 2007 (12:04 pm)

Replying to: jchshade1969 (Mar 06, 2007 12:00 pm)
I have a Prius T4, 05, bought a couple of months ago when it had done only 3500 miles. Have the same problem you describe each time I fill up. Exactly the same problem. I find that if I pull the pump nozzle an inch or so out of the tank, squeeze the trigger slowly to get it started and then gently pull up the trigger to get full flow once it starts going - that usually works. But what a silly damn system, the worst bug on the car. Desined by a moron who never tested it in the real world.

#6 of 114 Re: Prius and filling the tank [dgw2] by pathstar1

Mar 19, 2007 (9:04 am)

Replying to: dgw2 (Mar 18, 2007 12:04 pm)
While I understand your frustration, you can be sure Toyota thoroughly tested the bladder system. The fuel tank bladder is what takes the Prius the final step to being the most environmentally benign vehicle currently in mass production. It severely lessens fuel vapour escape to the atmosphere.
 
I felt the same way, BTW, the first time I travelled in Washington State, and attempted to fill up at a station with the "vapour recovery system". Not with a Prius, at that time I had a 4Runner. As I recall, I got 2 gal at a time in the vehicle.

#7 of 114 Dont feel bad by acdii

Apr 05, 2007 (6:48 am)

I just got a Prius, so I have yet to fill the tank, but I do have a 99 F350 Diesel from Ford, and their designers in their great wisdom decided to cut costs and use the same tank for the diesel that they use for the gassers. Well, diesel doesnt have the same properties of gasoline, less vapor, less expansion/contraction, but lots of foam. There is a tube in the tank the extends a good 6-8 inches down from the top, the overflow tube. If they had shortened that tube to about 2-4 inches, it would be much easier to fill the tank. When it gets to the tube, the foam shoots out, and stops the nozzle. I have to stand there and trickle in the last 4 gallons of fuel.
 
Believe me, I feel your pain.

#8 of 114 Re: Dont feel bad [acdii] by dgw2

Apr 05, 2007 (8:09 am)

Replying to: acdii (Apr 05, 2007 6:48 am)
One other thing .. if you open the car, leave your keys on the seat and then close the door to go back into the house to fetch something, when you get back the car will be locked with your keys inside. Aside from "niggles" like this ( also lousy windscreen wipers ) it is a great car. Excellent engineering. Have fun. Dont try and drive it in the snow - useless. Maybe better with snow chains or studs - we dont use those things in UK.

#9 of 114 Re: Dont feel bad [dgw2] by pathstar1

Apr 05, 2007 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: dgw2 (Apr 05, 2007 8:09 am)
The smartkey system is supposed to prevent that from happening. The car isn't supposed to lock unless you do it manually from inside when the fob is in it. There are a few places you can put the fob inside the car that the system can't detect it, but they are hard to find. Of course, if you don't have SKS, you can lock the keys inside.

#10 of 114 Foam?! by 3screwsloose

Apr 08, 2007 (9:34 pm)

Replying to: acdii (Apr 05, 2007 6:48 am)
Guess what, if the diesel fuel you are pumping "foams up" you may be pumping fuel that has too much sulphur in it. It used to foam up years ( 9-10 ) ago. Then they removed most of the sulphur. As of 15 October, almost all of the sulphur was removed ( 15ppm from 500ppm ) is all that is to be used in any new vehicle. If yours foams, it may be off-road fuel for construction equipment ( diesel #2 ).

Messages Page 1 of 12

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