BJM, I like your Prius color

When the sun shines on it, more green comes out. I like my silver one too.
Regarding gas mileage: The owner's manual states that in cold weather, the tank bladder can shrink up about 1 1/2 gallons. So you should consider your tank to be between 10 - 10.4 gallons at most in the winter. In the summer, we should be able to get closer to the 11.9 gallon limit. Remember that the bladder helps the environment due to zero evaporative emissions (not to be confused with tail pipe partial zero rated emmisions).
I've also heard a rumor that I have not verified yet, that Toyota is working on a fuel gauge fix, because it just isn't very accurate. You generally shouldn't let your tank get close to empty before refilling. Yes, I've experimeted with the one blinking bar as well. :shock:
Some have suggested to go by mileage and time of year instead of relying competely on the gas gauge. That means roughly 400 miles in the summer and 350 miles in the winter. Your mileage may vary depending on your driving conditions.
I personally like to fill up by 300 miles. At 350 miles I have one blinking bar and I'm assuming I have a little over two gallons left at that point. The most I've been able to put into the tank so far is 8.2 and that's fine with me (for winter time), which means I should pull into a gas station within 40 miles at the latest. :!:
Here in Oregon, we are using winter gas that cuts down on MPG a bit as well.
Here's an attachment from another email of mine, regarding the capabilities of Prius MPG. I should also mention, that my Prius is averaging 43 MPG per tank, based on my driving conditions:
This was a simple amateur test to give me an idea how the Prius performs with the kind of driving I do in the Portland, Oregon Metro area.
temperature: 45 degrees.
rainy as usual for this time of year.
Winter gasoline mix in effect.
Tire pressure: 42/40.
Prius stored inside a garage at night.
350 miles on the odometer when this test began (not completely broken in yet).
Test 1: Cold start and drive to work (5 days a week).
41.6 MPG Average; distance to work: 5 miles
Depending on traffic, it usually takes about fifteen minutes to get to work. The Prius has just warmed up when I turn it off at work. I know that the Prius is tuned to expend energy to heat up the catalytic converter as soon as possible so the exhaust system is working according to AT-PZEV specs. Having the coolant automatically pumped to a thermos (whenever turning the vehicle off) to keep it warm for up to three days improves efficiency a great deal as well. I would not be surprised to see the MPG dip into the 30s on some mornings this winter. But thats still a lot better than my previous sedan could ever do.
Test 2: City Driving
60.9 MPG Average; 10 mile test
With the car already warmed up, I drove in the city with lots of stop and go from 0 up to 40 mph. This is where the Prius really shines! I can cruise in all electric mode up to 41 mph. I accelerated from a stop like a normal car. When I got to cruising speed, I simply feather footed the gas pedal, lightly re-applying gentle pressure on the pedal. This caused the Prius to easily cruise in stealth mode (all electric mode). Since city traffic requires lots of coasting and breaking as well, the battery can easily stay charged. I drove on fairly flat roads and once on a road which had a number of small hills. If the car hadnt performed regenerative breaking and/or coasting for awhile on a longer section of the road, the gas engine would come on to help recharge the battery. Letting the computer perform its balancing act while just driving normally is all you really need to do. Well, the feather footing is kind of cool though.
Test 3: Country Road Driving between 45 and 55 mph
47.2 MPG Average; 12 mile test
The country road I was on had a number of small hills. The range of speeds was due to traffic and the road conditions. After 42 mph, the gas engine is active full time, although the electric motor comes on to assist very briefly at times.
Test 4: Mixed Driving (typical city and country driving for me)
51.5 MPG Average; 10 mile test
After the country road test, I re-entered the city and drove in the city for another 10 miles. Once again, the stealth mode raised the mpg significantly.
Test 5: Freeway Driving between 55 and 65 mph
37.5 MPG Average; traveling up hill on the freeway at 60 mph.
52.5 MPG Average: Traveling down hill on the same freeway section as above at 60 mph. Note: the average of the up hill and down numbers comes out to 45 MPG.
44.1 MPG Average: 22 Miles of fairly flat freeway (small hills in a couple places).
Test 6: Freeway Driving between 70 and 75 mph
41.8 MPG Average: 12 mile test.