2012 Toyota Prius 3 178k
Low fuel light came on with 25 miles on the range estimator.
10 miles later it was dead. No gas and no charge.
Pushed to the gas station and put 9.8 gallons in the 11.9 gallon tank.....
Engine started but the system would NOT recharge the traction battery. "Check hybrid system" state was up and it shut the ICE down.
Reset the car via battery disconnect and waited two separate times and it still refused to charge the car.
Had to get it towed to Toyota and pay for their fancy diagnostic.
Nothing was wrong with the car and they just charged it with a special machine.
I am pretty disappointed that it couldn't simply charge itself with a working ICE. I think I should sell it come Dec.
I thought it’s car owner 101 to never fully trust the distance to empty indicator.
Tank up when the fuel gauge shows 1/4 of a tank.
Unfortunately, you learnt it the hard way.
Don’t run on fumes as you also run the risk of prematurely burning out your fuel pump (which is lubricated by fuel).
if you're low on gas, and you drive up or down a hill and all the gas sloshes to one side of the tank, the fuel gauge is useless.
Hey...you rolled the dice playing the old "How Far Will It Go" game and got snake eyes. The car was warning you the best it could to get fuel. You didn't. Lesson learned.
Pro Tip: If you do sell it and get something else, and you drive it until the fuel light comes on and don't stop for fuel, expect similar results.
As soon as the low fuel light turns on, I'm headed straight to the gas station lol...but in most cases I never let it get past the 1/4 mark.
My great grandfather has a hybrid Prius, and he never uses that battery function. he also never lets that car go under 1/4 tank. He takes care of it.
In my opinion, don't buy the hybrid or electric cars. Wait 10-12 years so that they can perfect them.