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Hybrid TechnologyUnique topics related to the GS450H model hybrid drivetrain and other features/options found only on the GS450H. Please use the main 4GS forum for discussion about shared components with other fourth generation GS models.
I always thought that running out of gas is what a thoughtless, immature, irresponsible teenager does.
Lol it has happened to me once. I always drive with at most 3/4 tank filled because I just believe that having less weight = more MPG even though I probably spend more time wasting fuel waiting at the gas stations and time spent on frequent fuel ups lol. One time on my 3GS I drove a solid 80 miles AFTER it had said 0 miles remaining. That was incredibly nerve racking but it just kept going until I could get to a gas station.
Lol it has happened to me once. I always drive with at most 3/4 tank filled because I just believe that having less weight = more MPG even though I probably spend more time wasting fuel waiting at the gas stations and time spent on frequent fuel ups lol. One time on my 3GS I drove a solid 80 miles AFTER it had said 0 miles remaining. That was incredibly nerve racking but it just kept going until I could get to a gas station.
That sounds like what I would expect from someone driving a Spark, Fit or Leaf or some other such pregnant roller skate.
It's good u didn't mess up anything. I'd rather wake up the whole family for a pee break (and gas) than being stuck with an expensive repair bill. Just remember the parts for the GS aren't cheap.
The fuel tank is shaped like a pair of saddle bags.
The fuel pickup system is an engineering marvel
The fuel pump is intelligent and stops to prevent air in the fuel system.
Hills are not good for extending range.
Hybrid battery power is quite strong when it has to perform without the engine (normally you won't be allowed to test that, even with the ev button)
When the engine shut down because of lack of fuel, the hybrid system will not keep trying to start it
If you run out of fuel on flat highway (when hybrid battery is usually kept in high charge), you can really get quite some range from the battery.
The fuel tank is shaped like a pair of saddle bags.
The fuel pickup system is an engineering marvel
The fuel pump is intelligent and stops to prevent air in the fuel system.
Hills are not good for extending range.
Hybrid battery power is quite strong when it has to perform without the engine (normally you won't be allowed to test that, even with the ev button)
When the engine shut down because of lack of fuel, the hybrid system will not keep trying to start it
If you run out of fuel on flat highway (when hybrid battery is usually kept in high charge), you can really get quite some range from the battery.
But you didn't learn the most important thing of all, which was a lesson!
Lol it has happened to me once. I always drive with at most 3/4 tank filled because I just believe that having less weight = more MPG even though I probably spend more time wasting fuel waiting at the gas stations and time spent on frequent fuel ups lol. One time on my 3GS I drove a solid 80 miles AFTER it had said 0 miles remaining. That was incredibly nerve racking but it just kept going until I could get to a gas station.
80 miles after 0!!!! You sir win the price. Most I did was 40 after 0. hahahahaa
Lol it has happened to me once. I always drive with at most 3/4 tank filled because I just believe that having less weight = more MPG even though I probably spend more time wasting fuel waiting at the gas stations and time spent on frequent fuel ups lol. One time on my 3GS I drove a solid 80 miles AFTER it had said 0 miles remaining. That was incredibly nerve racking but it just kept going until I could get to a gas station.
You sound like one of us analytical folks, but to an extreme! Nothing wrong with that... I've had those same thoughts before, but I prefer to stretch my time interval between fill-ups, so always filled to the full mark. Most I've gone after I hit the 0, is maybe 40 miles and the tank took 16.3 gallons. I had maybe another 25-30 miles to go before getting stranded. Don't need to be any more stressed than that!
Thank you arosnes for sharing your story/experience & the research of the fuel tank.
The total gas capacity of the fuel tank is 17.4 gallon (66 liters), of which I imagine 2.4 gallons (9 liters) are held as a "reserve" (for those who go beyond 0 miles left on the range in the dash): http://s3.amazonaws.com/toyota-cms-m...roductInfo.pdf
To add some clarity to this topic, you were trying to drive when the car said "1 mile" (~2 km) of range left on the dash? If so, how did your car stop? Regardless of how steep of a hill we're talking about, you should still have 2+ gallons (7.5+ liters) left in your tank and should still be able to start/drive the vehicle. I would get your fuel pump checked out because something about your story doesn't seem right.
Question for you arosnes - how did the car behave when you ran out of gas? Did you experience any sudden jolts or erratic movements from the car? The most that I have driven my hybrid past the "0 mile range" mark is about 40 miles (~65 km) while on the highway. I'm sure it could have went further than that, but I was already nervous and just didn't have the guts to push it further.
~ Im2bz2p345
Last edited by DaveGS4; 12-10-19 at 08:53 PM.
Reason: Already moderatorated, please do not inflame with additional personal commentary
Hi Im2b.
I just noticed the engine had stopped and I was driving electric while it was still too cold to do that. Wintertime and just started to drive.
The range meter was 2 km when I stopped the day before. But of course the cold start, warm up, backing out etc out from the house consumed that last range
so we should consider it on 0 when it stopped. But the fill up budget does not lie, there were about 6 litres on tank.
I pressed the pedal to see if the engine would start up due to excessive acceleration but it did not.
So I decided it had fuel problems and decided to pull over not to overdischarge the battery. (It was still at 2 bars when I stopped)
The photo shows the hill that I think triggered the event. I noticed the engine had stopped just after turning right at the crossing.
I have not noticed any problems afterwards...
Wow, just read through this thread. Since I drive two vehicles, I end up filling Lexi up every three to four weeks (if I do not go on a trip with her). Even then, she is usually more than half full. The range is normally 480 plus miles when I fill up, so I may drive 150 miles per week which means it would take me six weeks to go the 450 miles in this 450h and use a tank up. Sounds funny when you are seeing how far you can go on empty and one person doesn't fill past 3/4 due to weight concerns. My concern is putting fresh gas in with three week old gas when I need only like 7 gallons or so. To each his own. Enjoy each others perspective.
Just to let you all know, I really really really enjoy driving this vehicle. I am sold on the Hybrid/Electric thing. I wish Lexus adapts the RAV4 prime battery pack with the old Atkinson 3.5l. It would be a beast. Not that I would trade my 2013 in. Flooring a RWD car with power and no torque steer. I forgot what that felt like from my 1976 Buick Regal back in the day. No comparison, but that is my frame of reference. That had a V8 with like 160 HP though. But if you floored it, the carburetor would open up and dump fuel in. I probably also got 12 mpg city and I think best 18 on the highway. Fun when gas was $1 per gallon. Not so much fun now when people are posting they get 18 mpg with the regular GS and gas is $2.75 plus per gallon. Ouch.