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Prius and filling the tank

90 messages,  Last post on Feb 13, 2009 at 5:29 PM

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#53 of 90 The point here is... by scottc3 Jun 07, 2008 (1:49 pm)
Yes, we know we all have basically 12 gallons. The point is, are we filling the tank to 12 gallons. Many are not able to, and don't know where the '12 gallon mark' is, because the gas is shutting off early. The indicator marks may read 'FULL' when we only have 10 gallons in the tank, or 9 gallons in the tank. If this is the case, I would expect the 1st bar to go off - indicating fuel used - before 100 miles, at maybe 50 miles.. then you know the tank was not full when you stopped filling. I will know, for my car, on this next tank, when I actually overflowed my tank by accident. But this will be a good gauge for me. If I now travel 150 miles before the 1st bar goes out on the gauge, then I will know I was not filling my tank before.   I would also assume, of course it's a guess, that all gas indicators are about the same.So others should get close to this also - and I would be interested to see what others are getting on 'each bar'.   sc
#54 of 90 Toyota Prius is a SAFETY HAZARD by priusdar Jun 07, 2008 (6:06 pm)
I have just read several stories of concern on: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_prius.html. There are MANY other websites that speak to Prius problems: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/01/prius_winter.html - http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1205be - http://www.hybridcars.com/forums/2008-prius-fuel-tank-capacity.html - http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-main-forum/10650-prius-fuel-tank.html - http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f10/problem-putting-gas-prius-1611/ - these are just the ones I have stumbled across.    I am SICK to my stomach. I have TRUSTED Toyota for YEARS to provide a SAFE and RELIABLE vehicle. I traded in my 2007 Toyota Touring Avalon on my 2008 Toyota Prius ... NEVER even giving ONE thought that I was buying an UNSAFE and HAZARDOUS car. (Boy do I ever wish I still had the Avalon ...)    I have personally experienced the FAULTY gas tank design, fuel gauge that is ONLY at best a GUESS gauge, gas and air bubbling out when you TRY to fill the tank and the sheer fright of WONDERING if you are going to run out of gas when your tank shows a few bars left on the gauge.    Now, I am TOTALLY DISGUSTED to have discovered that my car very well may QUIT functioning in snow or slick conditions!!! I live where snow happens rarely, but rain happens ALL the time! I do drive in snow conditions often ... luckly is seems, not yet in this HAZARDOUS car.    I was SOOOO very EXCITED to take my new Prius on our recent road trip!!! Now I am nearly in tears realizing that I am driving, "literally" ... AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN ...    Luckily, as of today, there has not been any physical damage. Unfortunately, emotional damage and loss of faith in Toyota has happened. Replies to this message: weick (Jun 08, 2008 8:38 am) priusdar (Jun 08, 2008 8:49 pm) oldcoach (Jun 10, 2008 11:33 am) mmgwh (Jun 10, 2008 5:16 pm) kdhspyder (Jul 23, 2008 5:08 am)
#55 of 90 Pretty good write-up... by scottc3 Jun 07, 2008 (8:20 pm)
Thought your write up was good.. but I don't think you are driving 'an accident waiting to happen'. Where I was 100% Prius before my gas issues, I am not 90% Prius, still playing with the gas tank issue. I have read most your links, and there seem to be some real issues out there in cold weather.. but I'm in CA, so don't think this will affect me.. but I'm sure it does for those that have posted issues. I hope Toyota does address these concerns for us all.   I do not think there is any facts indicating you will run out of gas when there are 1-2 bars left, and I think we are safe to drive 25 miles when the indicator light starts blinking - if there are facts other than this, please post. I will drive now and fill up when I'm at about 3 bars.. hoping to keep the bladder expanded so the tank will fill.   sc
#56 of 90 Re: Toyota Prius is a SAFETY HAZARD [priusdar] by weick Jun 08, 2008 (8:38 am)
Replying to: priusdar (Jun 07, 2008 6:06 pm) Priusdar,   I agree with you completely that the Prius is an unsafe vehicle. Because of my concern for your well being I am willing to purchase your unsafe Prius from you immediately so that you can buy a safer vehicle. I will pay you low blue book even though your vehicle is a safety hazard.   Please contact me immediately so that you minimize the risk to yourself and your family. Replies to this message: priusdar (Jun 08, 2008 8:49 pm)
#57 of 90 Re: Toyota Prius is a SAFETY HAZARD [weick] by priusdar Jun 08, 2008 (8:49 pm)
Replying to: weick (Jun 08, 2008 8:38 am) I will pass on your offer of low blue book ... my state has a lemon law and I have written to our attorney generals office ... I am scared ... not stupid.
#58 of 90 Don't fear the gas bars by smashedcar22 Jun 10, 2008 (11:21 am)
I have driven my 08 Prius at least 15 miles from the time that it started beeping. I have driven it 40 miles from the time it went down to 1 bar.
#59 of 90 Re: Toyota Prius is a SAFETY HAZARD [priusdar] by oldcoach Jun 10, 2008 (11:33 am)
Replying to: priusdar (Jun 07, 2008 6:06 pm) I am a happy 2008 Prius owner, may be looking for another, maybe I could be talked into taking your unsafe 08 prius off your hands. Hate to see you drive an unsafe vehicle. What state are you located in? How many miles on the Prius? Which model is it,which packages does it have? Will you give someone a real GOOD DEAL to get rid of it ?
#60 of 90 Re: Toyota Prius is a SAFETY HAZARD [priusdar] by mmgwh Jun 10, 2008 (5:16 pm)
Replying to: priusdar (Jun 07, 2008 6:06 pm) Priusdr, GET a GRIP on yourself!!   First of all Consumeraffairs.com is NOT Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. They do NOT test cars, they do not provide independent opinions and ratings, and they accept advertising on their site. Most importantly, according to their very own FAQ, about 1/2 way down, they are "basically a complaint site" and all the information is submitted by their readers. You should really keep this in perspective -- what you are reading is the anecdotal stories of a few people who felt like airing their complaints.   Regarding the FAULTY (your caps, not mine) gas tank design, it's only faulty if it LEAKS (my caps, not yours), otherwise I think I can live with it and not be TOTALLY DISGUSTED.   Keeping things in perspective and understanding the sources of information are wonderful things. Enjoy your Prius if you can. I love mine.
#61 of 90 Toyota States NO FIX for Bladder defect by priusdar Jun 10, 2008 (6:16 pm)
I am glad that others are happy with their Prius. I was until May 23rd. The time I needed to count on my car was on a road trip with long distances between fill ups. In town and in areas where fuel is readily avialable, it is important to know how far you can travel on the road.   I spoke with Toyota technicians and other Prius owners BEFORE I began looking at what other Prius owners were noting as challenges they have experienced with their cars. The sites do echo what I have been told ... I did not take the complaint sites as the truth.   With that said ... here is the response and acknolwedgement that the bladder issue cannot be fixed from Toyota Coprortate:   Subject Re: Prius gas tank safety issues   Dear Ms. : We apologize with your dissatisfaction with the fuel tank bladder in your 2008 Prius.   As your Case Manager explained to you, this is the design of the fuel tank and there is no repair available to change the design.   We appreciate you taking the time to let us know of your dissatisfaction with the fuel tank bladder because the only way we know what our customers are looking for is when they tell us, as you have. We try to scope our customers out in advance, by researching the market, conducting interviews, surveys, focus groups and doing our homework, but there's no better source than a Toyota owner who takes the time to tell us like it is.   We can't guarantee that a change would be made, but if it were, it would be driven by just this sort of honest communication.   We have documented your email at our National Headquarters under file #. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.   Sincerely,   Toyota Customer Experience   In closing, I find it interesting that individuals feel the need to offer to buy this car ... no thank you. And others express that I need to get a grip. Thank you all for your comments ... you all lucky owners that have not yet experienced the serious issues that MANY other ownes have and I hope that you never do. Replies to this message: yermell (Jun 11, 2008 4:20 am) kdhspyder (Jul 23, 2008 5:25 am)
#62 of 90 Re: Toyota States NO FIX for Bladder defect [priusdar] by yermell Jun 11, 2008 (4:20 am)
Replying to: priusdar (Jun 10, 2008 6:16 pm) Update on Prius tank issue. I wrote in March about only being able to fill my tank to approximately 7.5 gallons, and the Toyota dealership's lack of response and identifying that temperature significantly impacted the bladder. As the weather has warmed I have been getting more fuel in the tank and have been filling more slowly as many have advised. At the end of May we drove 3600 miles from MA to FL and back with stops on the way. Once on the road with warmer weather in the 80's the tank capacity returned to normal (note I have had the vehicle for 2 yrs with 45,000 miles). My fill-ups were back in the 8 gal range with 3 clicks left on gauge. It should be noted that when I filled up, even in winter when the tank shrinks, the gauge always shows 10 clicks so it is full at that time with however many gallons it fits. I don't think you'd run out of gas with 1-2 clicks left but you have to keep in mind that with the lower total capacity your 1/10th clicks represent less. I love my Prius, we will be buying a 2nd one and if this is the only negative, nothing is perfect.   On the positive side my avg mileage per tank was 48.8. It was obvious that driving 80 mph the mileage was 44.7 or so, but when you slowed to speed limit of 65-70 the mileage went up to 49 mpg per tank; on two legs of the trip we drove up Hwy 17 from Wilmington NC to Ocean city MD and then to Wilmington DE area and our mileage over this area driving 55-60 mph was 53-54+ mpg for 2+ tanks of gas. It really drove home the point that driving the speed limit or lowering the speed limit to 55-60 as was done in the 70's has a tremendous impact on efficiency.

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