Low Temperature icon shows up - why?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JBrookes, Nov 25, 2015.

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  1. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    Here in Michigan, temperatures have dropped, and I am getting an icon that looks like a tent with a small snowflake in it - manual says "low temperature."
    My question is - what should I do? The icon persists after the car is warmed up.

    ??

    John
     
    #1 JBrookes, Nov 25, 2015
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    There isn't anything you necessarily 'should' do. It is letting you know it is cold outside and slippery conditions can be present. They did away with this beginning the 2006 model year, because well yeah, having it lit up there is annoying. People have covered it with a small piece of electrical tape if you live where it is quite cold and would stay on often.
     
    #2 Paradox, Nov 25, 2015
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  3. Dino33ca

    Dino33ca Member

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    Put winter tires on, hehe. I freaked out the first time I saw this light come on in my '04! I thought, oh no, time for a new hybrid battery or some other expensive repair. The first time it came on it was also accompanied by a beep, strangely, it no longer beeps when the light comes on.
     
    #3 Dino33ca, Nov 25, 2015
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  4. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    It would be best to move to a location with a more sensible climate.:LOL:
     
    #4 strawbrad, Nov 25, 2015
  5. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    Such as Minnesota?:eek:
     
    #5 ftl, Nov 25, 2015
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  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I think it goes off at 37 deg F on my 2006, which is a little above freezing, but under some weather conditions the road could be freezing
     
    #6 wjtracy, Nov 25, 2015
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It basically comes on when it's below 3°C/37°F outside. It's a snowflake on a road. It's to warn you of low temperatures even though it's above zero. The reason is that there's the possibility of black ice on the road (e.g. shaded areas) even though you may not think it's cold enough for ice. It works well for those areas that don't see below freezing often or fluctuate around the freezing mark. It sucks for those that stay below freezing cause then the light stays on all winter.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Nov 26, 2015
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  8. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    Funny - Many don't like it, but it's good to be cautious...
    How about lights for:
    -traffic with lots of texters and cell talkers? Lights up in states that allow cell use. (like Michigan.)
    -an icon for saturday night and other times with drunks on the road.
    -one for times when deer are on the road. (now)
    -geese crossing?
    -one for tail gaters
    -one for passengers who talk too much, distracting the driver
    -one for tail-gating lines above 60 mph.
    -one for rotaries in states where rare
    -one for speed traps (eg roads where speed limit drops and many tickets given.)
    -MJ rich areas
    -sun in eyes
    .....
     
    #8 JBrookes, Nov 26, 2015
  9. Fred_H

    Fred_H Misoversimplifier

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    Hi John!
    Watch for ice on bridges, in shadows, and in depressions in the terrain.
    Check your tire pressure.
    Freeze proof your windshield washer fluid.
    Keep gloves and an ice scraper in the car.
    Wear long underwear.
     
    #9 Fred_H, Nov 26, 2015
  10. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    Thanks - another practical option is to put long underwear in car for emergencies. Also water, flares, flashlight.
    A pistol may be a good idea - depends on laws.
    If you drive through remote areas, a "come along" and cable to pull out of ditches.
    In that regard, a mixture of gravel and salt - about a liter of it - can be a life saver.
     
    #10 JBrookes, Nov 26, 2015
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  11. Fred_H

    Fred_H Misoversimplifier

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    Judging from US standards, there are no "remote areas" here in Germany. But since my wife is borderline paranoid about getting stuck, we have a small snow shovel, a scooper for sand/gravel from the roadside bins, and a set of tire chains in the trunk. We haven't really needed any of them. But once, my wife reportedly stopped on a very narrow street in the middle of town, and shoveled a snow pile out of the way that she thought was obstructing traffic. :LOL:
     
    #11 Fred_H, Nov 26, 2015
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The way that life seems to work, it is pretty much guaranteed that if you are carrying those items, you won't need them - while the reverse is also true. :cool:
     
    #12 Patrick Wong, Nov 26, 2015
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  13. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    First time I saw a warning like that in a car, it was on a small screen in the rear view mirror, right next to a compass readout. I was going north at the time. As temperature dropped, the mirror told me I was "N ICE."
     
    #13 andrewclaus, Nov 26, 2015
  14. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    quote:
    Judging from US standards, there are no "remote areas" here in Germany.

    A direct question, if you don't mind. What is the condition of East Germany today?

    jb
     
    #14 JBrookes, Nov 27, 2015
  15. Fred_H

    Fred_H Misoversimplifier

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    Sorry to leave you hanging JB.
    The condition of Eastern Germany today is situation normal (all f&$§ed up).
    There are still problems and differences there, but in my opinion not more than the regional differences within most other countries.
     
    #15 Fred_H, Dec 25, 2015
  16. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    In particular, I saw a movie, "The Pianist," which was situated in eastern Germany (I believe.) The movie set showed the devastation of WW2, and I thought that the "set" must have been reality in E. Germany, since it looked so extensive and real. ?

    There's a psychological illusion about that - the "normalcy bias?" My bias is to have emergency supplies, but where in the Prius can you put them? My instant idea is to stash with spare tire, but not sure of room. The "normalcy bias" is how some psychologists describe adverse events like the Titanic - victims tend to deny the reality. In terms of emergency supplies (like water, granola bars, flashlight), the decision involves taking trouble now to guard against a remote possibility of necessity. For example, if you have food and water, you are much more resistant to adverse events, like a comet landing near you. I joke, but other events have p NE 0.
     
    #16 JBrookes, Dec 26, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 26, 2015
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there is a huge bin on top of the spare tyre that many use for emergency supplies.
     
    #17 bisco, Dec 26, 2015
  18. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    Roger - will examine my 2005 to see if that is true in '05.
    lessee contents
    water - main thing
    gran bars
    flashlight (extra batteries)
    knife (to fight off grizzlies)
    long polyester u'wear
    packable jackets
    ...
     
    #18 JBrookes, Dec 26, 2015
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thermal blanket, jump pack, shovel, board for jack, water...
     
    #19 bisco, Dec 26, 2015
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