Can anyone explain why the fuel gauge indicates "full" with only 9 gallons of gasoline in the tank bladder?
I own a 2004 Prius which has under 2,000 miles on the odometer.
As you know, the fuel gauge shows 10 blocks when it is full. The capacity of the fuel tank bladder is 11.9 gallons. Therefore, each block should represent about 1.1 gallons.
I fill the tank only when the fuel gauge is down to 1 block. Today, the single block was flashing indicating critically low fuel. According to the Prius Manual, the flashing block indicates 1 gallon or less.
Every time I fill up, the tank will accept between 7.0 and 8.0 gallons - no more. After each 7 to 8 gallons, the fuel gauge shows a full tank with 10 blocks.
It seems logical that adding 8 gallons when the single block is flashing should mean there are 9 gallons in the tank. With 9 gallons of fuel in an 11.9 gallons tank, the fuel gauge should register a partially empty tank or about 8 blocks.
I have brought this to the attention of my Toyota Carlsbad dealer. The mechanic can find nothing wrong.
My concern is practical. If my fuel gauge is not registering correctly, can I trust it on a long road trip?
Can anyone shed some light on this? Does anyone have a logical explanation? All comments would be gratefully accepted.
Thanks....
Harrison
I own a 2004 Prius which has under 2,000 miles on the odometer.
As you know, the fuel gauge shows 10 blocks when it is full. The capacity of the fuel tank bladder is 11.9 gallons. Therefore, each block should represent about 1.1 gallons.
I fill the tank only when the fuel gauge is down to 1 block. Today, the single block was flashing indicating critically low fuel. According to the Prius Manual, the flashing block indicates 1 gallon or less.
Every time I fill up, the tank will accept between 7.0 and 8.0 gallons - no more. After each 7 to 8 gallons, the fuel gauge shows a full tank with 10 blocks.
It seems logical that adding 8 gallons when the single block is flashing should mean there are 9 gallons in the tank. With 9 gallons of fuel in an 11.9 gallons tank, the fuel gauge should register a partially empty tank or about 8 blocks.
I have brought this to the attention of my Toyota Carlsbad dealer. The mechanic can find nothing wrong.
My concern is practical. If my fuel gauge is not registering correctly, can I trust it on a long road trip?
Can anyone shed some light on this? Does anyone have a logical explanation? All comments would be gratefully accepted.
Thanks....
Harrison