Fuel Tank Capacity
#21
Originally posted by Toytech@Feb 29th 2004 @ 12:30 PM
Hi I'm not a Prius owner, but have been trained on Prius since 2001 at our dealership.
Over filling your tank can cause the fuel to leak in between the bladder and the tank. When this happens you will turn on the check engine for an EVAP code. The only way to get the fuel out is to replace the tank.
Hi I'm not a Prius owner, but have been trained on Prius since 2001 at our dealership.
Over filling your tank can cause the fuel to leak in between the bladder and the tank. When this happens you will turn on the check engine for an EVAP code. The only way to get the fuel out is to replace the tank.
We have an 11.9 gallon fuel capacity (if Toyota's spec is correct), yet we have innumerable reports that the gauge implies "empty" when one can only pump 7-8 gallons in before pump shut-off.
In my experience, gas station pumps are highly variable as to when cutoff occurs. I have been making it a standard practice to drive about 1.5 gallons past the "add fuel" warning. Depending on the pump, cutoff on refills occurs at 5.6gal to 8gal. In all cases, the fill can continue up to 10 gallons without any trace of overfill (no gurgling in filler tube, no flashback on removal of nozzle).
Something doesn't jive. I think one factor is the back-pressure from the bladder (plus the sealed filler tube) causes pumps to cut off far earlier than they would on conventional tanks.
Bob.
#22
Jack --
Great reply. What we really need is the actual data, and design of the fuel delivery and input system. As a chemist, I always want people to "show me the reference", or the original data. It sounds like you have experience in this area -- do you know where we could get real data or design specifications?
The only thing I found in the owner's manual is that the bladder will shrink in cold temps, but the data cited there (I think maximum 1.1 gal at some negative farenheit) is not enough to explain everyone's problems.
I just picked up my Seaside Pearl #9 (still thinking of a name) on Saturday, so haven't filled up yet. It will be interesting to see how my car does in relation to everyone else's.
Jeanne
Great reply. What we really need is the actual data, and design of the fuel delivery and input system. As a chemist, I always want people to "show me the reference", or the original data. It sounds like you have experience in this area -- do you know where we could get real data or design specifications?
The only thing I found in the owner's manual is that the bladder will shrink in cold temps, but the data cited there (I think maximum 1.1 gal at some negative farenheit) is not enough to explain everyone's problems.
I just picked up my Seaside Pearl #9 (still thinking of a name) on Saturday, so haven't filled up yet. It will be interesting to see how my car does in relation to everyone else's.
Jeanne
#23
Well, just filled the tank. Auto shutoff at 7.5 gallons, and I was able to add 2 more gallons into the tank afterward by letting it sit for a minute while I checked the oil, then pumping very slowly. 150 miles later, my gas gauge is still at 10 bars!
We'll see what happens, but I'm concurring with the early shutoff crowd right now.
We'll see what happens, but I'm concurring with the early shutoff crowd right now.
#26
Aloha,
I live in Honolulu. It is normally 75-83 degrees currently this time of the year. I have filled my tank up twice the first time I travelled 418 miles and put 8.6 gallons into the tank (48.6 mpg/ 52.9 indicated on screen). The second tank I travelled 485 miles and put 9.2 gallons into the tank (52.7 mpg / 52.8 indicated on screen) Neither time was the last bar "BLINKING". On the second tank I travelled 10 miles on the last bar and decided to gas it. Will continue to keep track to see if amount of gas the tank increased s the bladder "wears in". Temperature should not be a factor here.
Bottom line is even if I fill it only with 9 gallons I am still travelling almost 500 miles on a tank!!!!
I live in Honolulu. It is normally 75-83 degrees currently this time of the year. I have filled my tank up twice the first time I travelled 418 miles and put 8.6 gallons into the tank (48.6 mpg/ 52.9 indicated on screen). The second tank I travelled 485 miles and put 9.2 gallons into the tank (52.7 mpg / 52.8 indicated on screen) Neither time was the last bar "BLINKING". On the second tank I travelled 10 miles on the last bar and decided to gas it. Will continue to keep track to see if amount of gas the tank increased s the bladder "wears in". Temperature should not be a factor here.
Bottom line is even if I fill it only with 9 gallons I am still travelling almost 500 miles on a tank!!!!
#27
Originally posted by jmdor@Mar 7th 2004 @ 10:24 PM
Jack --
Great reply. What we really need is the actual data, and design of the fuel delivery and input system. As a chemist, I always want people to "show me the reference", or the original data. It sounds like you have experience in this area -- do you know where we could get real data or design specifications?
...snip...
Jeanne
Jack --
Great reply. What we really need is the actual data, and design of the fuel delivery and input system. As a chemist, I always want people to "show me the reference", or the original data. It sounds like you have experience in this area -- do you know where we could get real data or design specifications?
...snip...
Jeanne
This is the best I have seen so far: Tank Schematic Diagram
The tank bladder was described by someone knowledgable on the Yahoo group as "more like a water bottle".
I remain somewhat dismayed that folks believe that the flashing light is indicative of a "nearly empty" tank and that squeezing in more gas after pump shutoff is a "good thing" - but whatever. I consistently run now over 500 miles on a tank - and whether the tank "really" holds 11.9 or 10.2 or 3 gallons is totally immaterial to me.
Its not the physics of the bladder that should concern anyone - it is the physics of the fuel return and vapour management system.
Jack
#29
Originally posted by Jason@Mar 24th 2004 @ 2:00 PM
Your link is broken.
Your link is broken.
Not sure of another reasonable way to do it, really. For those of you on the Yahoo group for the 2004-Prius, it is in the Files section listed as "Fuel Tank Diagram.png"
Jack
#30
Here's one that should work for everyone:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/2004-p...k%20diagram.png
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/2004-p...k%20diagram.png