<p>…what is the secret to pumping gas?</p>
<p>I thought that annoying problem of the gas nozzle clicking off prematurely would go away with the frigid winter weather. But here it is, spring, and balmy 40’s temps, and it still takes 20 minutes to get 8 gallons into the car. </p>
<p>What is the pressure thing going on in the gas tank, and how do you overcome it?</p>
<p>Googling for the problem turns up many sites discussing this, with various theories mentioned. It does seem to be a problem for many people.</p>
<p>I would take it back to Toyota and complain.</p>
<p>The Prius does not have a gas tank per se. The tank is actually a bladder which means it’s flexible, and depending on the ambient temperature, the amount of gas it takes will vary by small amounts. Do not try to fill the tank past the first auto shut off. It won’t take anymore.</p>
<p>I have a Lexus SUV hybrid and on occasion have had the same problem. If I can’t get it to stop clicking off, I hold the handle down while it fills. It’s annoying but most of the time I don’t have any problem so I’ve never taken it in to be looked at.</p>
<p>Weird question, but do you pretty much always go to the same pump? We have a Prius and that hasn’t been an issue with us at all, except at one particular gas station in our town. I blame it on their pumps.</p>
<p>Sorry, no advice, but I did call my parents in Arizona. They said no problem, 2 minutes to fill up the 11 gallons (they think thats what their tank is) with no problem and no shut off like you describe.</p>
<p>lilyrobin, I believe you are right that this differs by pump. At a brand new gas station down the street, I can’t pump for more than a couple seconds before it shuts off. At other gas stations, I have no problem. I’m guessing that a difference in pumping pressure or some other factor aggravates this.</p>
<p>ChiSquare, I think it’s probably the pump… I don’t have a hybrid but there is this one pump at the sunoco station next to my work that drives me bonkers! I always forget that it is “the slow one” and I stand there for 15 minutes putting 10 gallons of gas in my car! Yesterday I pulled up along the pump next to it and noticed a woman pumping her gas when I got there… when I finished my gas I looked over and she was only at 3 gallons! She made a comment about always forgetting about that slow pump and then I realized we worked together! haha!</p>
<p>I have a friend with the SAME problem…can’t FILL her Prius up. So she just puts 8 gallons in and calls it a day. It’s all over the internet that this is a problem…something about that bladder. Toyota needs to fix it. It’s a headache for the Prius owners.</p>
<p>Like all leading edge technologies, the Prius has its problems.</p>
<p>[The</a> Flip Side of the Perfect Prius](<a href=“http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-04-22/news/the-flip-side-of-the-perfect-prius/]The”>http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-04-22/news/the-flip-side-of-the-perfect-prius/)</p>