Hi all, I just picked up my Prius this evening. After parking it in the garage, I just went out to visit it. I immediately noticed that a red light (car) is flashing on the display. When I start it up the light goes out and when I shut down, it returns. I am pouring through the manual. Is this supposed to happen? Did I do something wrong? Please help. As I read, it looks like it is the Hybrid Vehicle Immobilizer System indicator light. Should that continue to flash while the car is off?
I don't have mine yet - but I think this has been discussed before - and others correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that is perfectly normal for it to blink - it is letting you know that system is active.
Welcome to the club and congrats on the purchase. Yes, this is normal. It is the vehicle immobilizer/theft deterrent system showing it is active. from page 20 of the manual: The system is automatically set when the key is removed from the key slot. The indicator light will start flashing to show the system is set. If any of the following indicator conditions occurs, contact your Toyota dealer. The indicator light stays on except when the theft deterrent system is setting or activating. (See “Theft deterrent system†on page 44.) The indicator light does not start flashing when the key is removed from the key slot. The indicator light flashes unsteady.
What Prius Maximus forgot to mention is that if your Prius starts flashing in Morse Code, it is way smarter than you give it credit. Congrats on your new baby. I suspect that you will make similar "visits" many more times over the next week. And congrats that you consulted the manual before posting.
Thanks folks. Now I can sleep tonight. I read about the light flashing but when it said about it staying on, I wasn't 100% clear if they meant stayed on continuously or continued to flash. I'm sure I'll be back with other questions as the learning curve progresses. By the way, just as a FYI, I ordered this Prius on Feb 15 and took delivery today. I guess that's not too bad. Silver Pine Mica. And just in time for gas to hit $3/gallon here in PA. Thanks again.
I'll bet this is your first car with an alarm system? Every car I've ever had used some sort of visible warning sign to alert thiefs that the car was alarmed. I guess it makes the more skitterish crook think twice and move to a less secure target. And Tony... Morse code? I thought everyone who knew that got killed off during the beach scene in Saving Private Ryan?
**SIGH** Does anyone ever read Manuals anymore? Theft Deterrent System: 2004 Owner's Manual (probably near same in current manual): page 6 and Pages 20, 44 ,45. There's a wealth of helpful information in the Owner's Manual.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paflyfisher @ Apr 20 2006, 09:46 PM) [snapback]242927[/snapback]</div> Don't feel bad, I had the same reaction when I got my new car home 1/2/06. The first thing I did was call the salesman to find out what was going on. I never had this on prior cars so it spooked me. The salesman was very good about explaining everything else on the car - I guess he figured because this is not unique to the Prius I would have encountered it on other cars. Since you mentioned you live in PA - did the dealership mention the $500 cash rebate you can get directly from PA? The rebate program I believe ran out of money the end of March 06, but, they expect to receive more funds in July 06. As soon as they receive more funds they will be accepting more requests for rebates. You have 6 months from date of purchase to apply for the rebate ( but, they will not accept applications for the rebates until they announce that they have funds available.) So be sure to visit their web site regularly to see when the additional funds become available. Springtime
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Apr 21 2006, 12:06 PM) [snapback]243153[/snapback]</div> What a nice, smug response. As paflyfisher said (quoted below), (s)he was confused about the description of the manual. In fact, I would argue that paflyfisher did exactly what I would hope everyone would do: was concerned about something, looked in the manual, couldn't find information that answered the question to their satisfaction, so posted a very polite question on the board asking for help. After all, why are we all here if not to help each other out? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paflyfisher @ Apr 20 2006, 10:38 PM) [snapback]242958[/snapback]</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Springtime @ Apr 21 2006, 12:35 PM) [snapback]243175[/snapback]</div> Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone. Likewise. my salesmen did a great job - just didn't tell me this one. Yes I am aware of the rebate. As a matter of fact I went to the state website today and saw that they were no longer accepting applications. What I didn't know was the six month window. So if they approve more money in July, I can still qualify. By the way, I am also in Eastern PA - in the Lehigh Valley.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Apr 21 2006, 11:06 AM) [snapback]243153[/snapback]</div> LOL! You're so rude it's funny.
