problem putting gas in Prius
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
Re: problem putting gas in Prius
Dale,
With the very first batch of 2004 Prius, there was an issue with the tank that caused capacity to shrink and the gauge to be inaccurate. However, that issue was fixed long ago and I haven't heard of this problem happening -- especially with the latest vehicles. You need to have yours checked out. Keep in mind that spilling a cup or so of gas really undoes the benefits of owning a green car.
As a side note, welcome and congratulations! You're our 1,000th member. I've posted an announcement in the appropriate section and emailed you a few minutes ago.
With the very first batch of 2004 Prius, there was an issue with the tank that caused capacity to shrink and the gauge to be inaccurate. However, that issue was fixed long ago and I haven't heard of this problem happening -- especially with the latest vehicles. You need to have yours checked out. Keep in mind that spilling a cup or so of gas really undoes the benefits of owning a green car.
As a side note, welcome and congratulations! You're our 1,000th member. I've posted an announcement in the appropriate section and emailed you a few minutes ago.
I purchased my 2008 Prius 3 weeks ago. I first went to fill it up at 1/2 of a tank, and I could not put more than 3 gallons in. The pump stopped, and so did I. The second time I filled up, (last week) I had 3 bars remaining and the pump stopped at 5 gallons and I slowly added more until I reached 6.6 gallons total. If I do not put gas in VERY slowly, it stops after 3 gallons. This, no matter what, cannot be right. I have read about the "bladder" tank, and I understand why it does this. However, I don't think that filling a tank should be so labor intense. I called the service dept and I was told if it continues, I should bring it in, and the problem will be evaluated. That being said, I love this car, I don't miss my 2003 Pathfinder at all (which I thought I loved) and I will eventually get this issue resolved. I wanted to let you know, however, that this problem is not limited to the 2004 models only, obviously. At first, I was very disturbed about it. But I strongly believe that if there is a certain problem, Toyota will fix it. I'd like to hear more fom anyone out there who can relate. You're not alone, Dale.
Thanks,
L:inda
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2
Re: problem putting gas in Prius
Hi all,
I have a 2008 Prius and have experienced this problem a time or two. But I noticed that it was corrected by making sure that I was not parked going up hill at the gas station. Make sure that you are level or with the front of the car going slightly down hill if you can. When I do that, it fills just fine.
I have a 2008 Prius and have experienced this problem a time or two. But I noticed that it was corrected by making sure that I was not parked going up hill at the gas station. Make sure that you are level or with the front of the car going slightly down hill if you can. When I do that, it fills just fine.
Engineering first
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,613
From: Huntsville, AL
Re: problem putting gas in Prius
Welcome to the CLUB!
So how long have you had it? Any interesting stories yet?
Bob Wilson
I have a 2008 Prius and have experienced this problem a time or two. But I noticed that it was corrected by making sure that I was not parked going up hill at the gas station. Make sure that you are level or with the front of the car going slightly down hill if you can. When I do that, it fills just fine.
Bob Wilson
Engineering first
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,613
From: Huntsville, AL
Re: problem putting gas in Prius
Welcome to the CLUB!
The fuel tank is pretty sophisticated and there can be problems with some pump nozzles. I've never had the problem but some of the postings suggest changes in nozzle angle in the tank may help. Sorry, I can't help on this one.
GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson
... I first went to fill it up at 1/2 of a tank, and I could not put more than 3 gallons in. The pump stopped, and so did I. The second time I filled up, (last week) I had 3 bars remaining and the pump stopped at 5 gallons and I slowly added more until I reached 6.6 gallons total. If I do not put gas in VERY slowly, it stops after 3 gallons. This, no matter what, cannot be right. I have read about the "bladder" tank, and I understand why it does this. However, I don't think that filling a tank should be so labor intense. I called the service dept and I was told if it continues, I should bring it in, and the problem will be evaluated. That being said, I love this car, I don't miss my 2003 Pathfinder at all (which I thought I loved) and I will eventually get this issue resolved. I wanted to let you know, however, that this problem is not limited to the 2004 models only, obviously. At first, I was very disturbed about it. But I strongly believe that if there is a certain problem, Toyota will fix it. I'd like to hear more fom anyone out there who can relate. You're not alone, Dale.
...
...
GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2
Re: problem putting gas in Prius
Thanks for the welcome Bob,
I bought my Prius seven weeks ago, it is the silver pine color with the #3 option package. I have had the 3M, non-metallic window tinting installed, and have a K&N air filter to replace the factory filter. I am starting to think about my first oil change, and will probably go with a synthetic. Over all I am really happy with this car. No unusual or interesting stories yet, just several people that want to know if I have to plug it in at night to recharge it.
John West
I bought my Prius seven weeks ago, it is the silver pine color with the #3 option package. I have had the 3M, non-metallic window tinting installed, and have a K&N air filter to replace the factory filter. I am starting to think about my first oil change, and will probably go with a synthetic. Over all I am really happy with this car. No unusual or interesting stories yet, just several people that want to know if I have to plug it in at night to recharge it.
John West
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 6
Re: problem putting gas in Prius
I currently has a love/frightened of relationship with my Prius. I could have only seven gallons of gas, the tank shows full ... so I think I can drive further than I really would be able to. I cannot rely on my gas tank, I have to take unsafe steps to fill it up completely, I have a gas guage that is basically useless and need to guess when I have to fill up!
I am writing to express my concern over my 2008 Toyota Prius that I purchased new in January of 2008. I recently returned from a 2300 mile road trip that began in Woodland Washington (20 miles north of Portland Oregon).
During this trip, we stopped in Ashland Oregon to fill up the gas tank on our way to Reno Nevada. The attendant filled the tank (Oregon requires that an attendant do this) and off we went ... next gas fill up was to have been Reno! We headed east, turned off Interstate 5 and onto Highway 89 and switched drivers. After ONLY 83 miles ... the gas tank showed that there was less than 1/2 a tank ... luckily we had not missed McCloud California ... last stop for gas for MANY miles!
When we filled up in Reno, the gas pump shut off WAY TOO soon ... we certainly were not getting over 60mpg! Understanding this, we pulled the gas nozzle WAY out and EXTREMELY slowly managed to fill up the gas tank. During this SLOW process, air and gas would bubble up and at times out of the tank. We repeated this process at EVERY fill up along the trip and since we have gotten home. We can have to add between 3 - 6 gallons of gas after the pump shuts off ... no matter how slowly the gas is automatically pumped in. Temperature, time of day and altitude seem to not have any effect on getting the tank filled ... the pump shut off early at EVERY instance. There are at least two safety issues noted here ... a gas tank you cannot fill up with taking EXTROADINARY measures ... nearly removing the nozzle and having gas spill out as the air and gas fumes escape out of the tank.
Another issue is the fuel gauge. The car would travel 200 miles before even one guage indicator would click off. There are 10 indicators and the tank suposedly holds nealy 12 gallons of gas. I bet that the car does not get 200 miles per gallon!!!
I spoke the owner of a 2005 Prius. He indicated he also has challenges filling his tank. He was told that this has to do with the ambient temperature. I have talked with a Toyota Prius technician. He stated that there are no parts that can fix this issue. He noted that this has been going on since the first Prius, that there is no fix available. He also noted in the winter that at least one Prius owner comes in each and every day with this same gas tank concern. I also did some research on the internet and this appears to be a LONG outstanding safety hazard!
I am writing to express my concern over my 2008 Toyota Prius that I purchased new in January of 2008. I recently returned from a 2300 mile road trip that began in Woodland Washington (20 miles north of Portland Oregon).
During this trip, we stopped in Ashland Oregon to fill up the gas tank on our way to Reno Nevada. The attendant filled the tank (Oregon requires that an attendant do this) and off we went ... next gas fill up was to have been Reno! We headed east, turned off Interstate 5 and onto Highway 89 and switched drivers. After ONLY 83 miles ... the gas tank showed that there was less than 1/2 a tank ... luckily we had not missed McCloud California ... last stop for gas for MANY miles!
When we filled up in Reno, the gas pump shut off WAY TOO soon ... we certainly were not getting over 60mpg! Understanding this, we pulled the gas nozzle WAY out and EXTREMELY slowly managed to fill up the gas tank. During this SLOW process, air and gas would bubble up and at times out of the tank. We repeated this process at EVERY fill up along the trip and since we have gotten home. We can have to add between 3 - 6 gallons of gas after the pump shuts off ... no matter how slowly the gas is automatically pumped in. Temperature, time of day and altitude seem to not have any effect on getting the tank filled ... the pump shut off early at EVERY instance. There are at least two safety issues noted here ... a gas tank you cannot fill up with taking EXTROADINARY measures ... nearly removing the nozzle and having gas spill out as the air and gas fumes escape out of the tank.
Another issue is the fuel gauge. The car would travel 200 miles before even one guage indicator would click off. There are 10 indicators and the tank suposedly holds nealy 12 gallons of gas. I bet that the car does not get 200 miles per gallon!!!
I spoke the owner of a 2005 Prius. He indicated he also has challenges filling his tank. He was told that this has to do with the ambient temperature. I have talked with a Toyota Prius technician. He stated that there are no parts that can fix this issue. He noted that this has been going on since the first Prius, that there is no fix available. He also noted in the winter that at least one Prius owner comes in each and every day with this same gas tank concern. I also did some research on the internet and this appears to be a LONG outstanding safety hazard!
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 6
Re: Something is definitly wrong
I totally agree with you ... I cannot fill my 2008 Prius ... the issue has NOT been addressed. Toyota technicians are unable to correct the problem ... the issue is the design of the tank ... STILL!
Engineering first
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,613
From: Huntsville, AL
Re: problem putting gas in Prius
Hi,
Welcome to the CLUB!
However, your concerns about the fueling the Prius and the "guess gauge" are the result of a fuel tank with a complex system to minimize gas fume loss. But it can be hurt with a very expensive, non-warranty repair bill if someone overfills the tank:
The most common technique is to fill the tank using the lowest speed at the pump. This minimizes the mix of fumes and gas so you tend to get a good fill. After the first "click," fill to the second and STOP! Now you'll never get perfect tank filling but this is the safest way.
A more 'radical' technique is to carry a 1 gallon, spare can and run the car until it totally runs out of gas. This seems to 'reset' the system and after the first time, all subsequent fuel exhaustion tests resulted in nearly the same fill-ups. But it is a 'radical' technique since running out of gas is recorded in the control computers and in theory, puts your warranty at risk. We can 'clear the codes' by disconnecting the 12 VDC battery for a couple of minutes.
Running out of gas is a trip in this car. A whole bunch of lights come on but you can still use the traction battery to move the car to a safe place ... at a low speed. You want to use the slowest possible speed to reach a safe place within a quarter of a mile so you don't run the traction battery down too much. Folks have gone further but this is not a good idea. Just get to a safe place to add 1 gallon from your spare can and drive to a gas station within 50 miles at the slowest safe speeds.
Bob Wilson
Welcome to the CLUB!
However, your concerns about the fueling the Prius and the "guess gauge" are the result of a fuel tank with a complex system to minimize gas fume loss. But it can be hurt with a very expensive, non-warranty repair bill if someone overfills the tank:
I currently has a love/frightened of relationship with my Prius. I could have only seven gallons of gas, the tank shows full ... so I think I can drive further than I really would be able to. I cannot rely on my gas tank, I have to take unsafe steps to fill it up completely, I have a gas guage that is basically useless and need to guess when I have to fill up!
...
...
A more 'radical' technique is to carry a 1 gallon, spare can and run the car until it totally runs out of gas. This seems to 'reset' the system and after the first time, all subsequent fuel exhaustion tests resulted in nearly the same fill-ups. But it is a 'radical' technique since running out of gas is recorded in the control computers and in theory, puts your warranty at risk. We can 'clear the codes' by disconnecting the 12 VDC battery for a couple of minutes.
Running out of gas is a trip in this car. A whole bunch of lights come on but you can still use the traction battery to move the car to a safe place ... at a low speed. You want to use the slowest possible speed to reach a safe place within a quarter of a mile so you don't run the traction battery down too much. Folks have gone further but this is not a good idea. Just get to a safe place to add 1 gallon from your spare can and drive to a gas station within 50 miles at the slowest safe speeds.
Bob Wilson
Last edited by bwilson4web; Jun 3, 2008 at 01:39 AM.
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 6
Toyota Prius a SAFEY HAZARD
I have just read several stories of concern on: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/autom...ota_prius.html. There are MANY other websites that speak to Prius problems: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...us_winter.html - http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1205be - http://www.hybridcars.com/forums/200...-capacity.html - http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-ma...fuel-tank.html - https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...as-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.
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1
Re: problem putting gas in Prius
What we have been seeing is that the two sensors in the tank that measure the actual level of the fuel in the bladder have become out of adjustment and need to be reprogrammed to set the proper fuel level. chances are that the tank is actually full and is just reading emtpy or low. once the sensors are reset. you might not have the problem you are describing anymore.
you might also have a restriction in the vent system that lets the air around the bladder escape through the charcoal cannister to the engine to be burnt.
we have not seen alot of these cases but I'm sure it is possible that this could happen.
you might also have a restriction in the vent system that lets the air around the bladder escape through the charcoal cannister to the engine to be burnt.
we have not seen alot of these cases but I'm sure it is possible that this could happen.
