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does low temp effect 08 prius abs system?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by jeanjean, Jan 15, 2009.

  1. jeanjean

    jeanjean New Member

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    I've had my prius for a little over a year, routine maintenance, no excessively fast driving or maneuvering. the temp has been dropping and today it was 9 degrees (first time for my prius)...... I noticed that the brake warning light came on(NOT the "BRAKE" light or ABS light , but the other one...........could it just be the cold?
     
    #1 jeanjean, Jan 15, 2009
  2. jeanjean

    jeanjean New Member

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    bump
     
    #2 jeanjean, Jan 15, 2009
  3. alanh

    alanh Active Member

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    No, it's not normal. The only light you should normally expect to see is the "slalom" light to indicate it's lost traction.

    The brake-related lights (BRAKE, ((!)) in yellow, and ABS) all indicate malfunctions and should be seen by a dealer.

    If it looks like the cross-section of a tire with a ! in it, it means your tire pressure is low.
     
    #3 alanh, Jan 15, 2009
  4. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    9 isn't cold.

    -20°F for my commute today.

    No warning of any kind, today or in the past from cold. Whatever you are describing doesn't sound normal.
    .
     
    #4 john1701a, Jan 15, 2009
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    If you're getting the yellow light showing a curved road and sliding car it's the ABS being activated (when braking) or the traction control being activated (when accelerating). The blue lamp and warning tone will sound if you slide while turning.

    When the temp. drops, you get to the point where the road is cold enough to freeze the water vapour from the exhaust of cars as well as stray ice/snow onto the pavement. It's hard to see this ice until it gets thick enough to be called "black ice". It's still very slippery at 9F (it gets less slippery once the temp drops to about -20F, but it's still slick). This ice on the pavement that you find hard to see WILL trip the yellow lamp. Drive more carefully. ;)
     
    #5 David Beale, Jan 16, 2009
  6. jeanjean

    jeanjean New Member

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    called the dealer today to schedule an appointment...on the phone she mentions to me that I should check the brake fluid, which I did.it was at the proper level........ the brakes don't act funny, don't feel spongy or anything, and the light only started up when it got really cold here.. I used to have a similar problem on my previous car with cold and faulty brake warning lights, but I might still take it for a look......
     
    #6 jeanjean, Jan 16, 2009
  7. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    We can get down to -40 here. Never had a brake warning light turn on due to temp alone. Do you use the parking brake? Is it stuck?
     
    #7 jayman, Jan 16, 2009
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