Flashing "lock" symbol: I truly don't understand it.

It's reassuring you that the system is working correctly and your car will be immobilized if the key is not present.

I've resigned myself to not understanding many of the Prius's lights and other indicators.

I borrowed my nephew's Land Rover Discovery today and it was trying to tell me all sorts of things about what 4WD mode it was in, etc. and all I wanted to do was to get to the Y and back. I couldn't figure out its AC system so I gave up on that too.

 

It means the car has been properly shut down.

 

A FOB is still in the car. The FOB battery is ok, The FOB passes the security protocol. The door will not lock. When the Driver gets out and shuts the door the Prius complains. (long loud tone/beep). Those off the top of my head from owning a Gen2, Gen3 .

 

I think a blinking light is meant to freak out potential thieves. Whether it's effective who knows.

 

I'm pretty sure the light just means that the alarm is "armed" and "ready" for when someone tries to break in or a locked door slams shut.

 

That light and immobilizer system are on all Gen3 Prii, alarm or not.

Think of it more as a system to prevent hotwiring the ignition system. If the proper key fob code is not present, the propulsion system is immobilized.

 

It tells you the hybrid system is off, therefore the "immobilizer system" is in effect. In other words, it says nothing significant that you wouldn't know without it, a silly (although tiny) waste of battery power.

Any thief sophisticated enough to contemplate stealing a Prius without the proper fob isn't going to be intimidated by a flickering LED that flickers the same way in all other shut-down Prii.

 

It tells you the hybrid system is off, therefore the "immobilizer system" is in effect. In other words, it says nothing significant that you wouldn't know without it, a silly (although tiny) waste of battery power.

Any thief sophisticated enough to contemplate stealing a Prius without the proper fob isn't going to be intimidated by a flickering LED that flickers the same way in all other shut-down Prii.

 

WHY would you need a light, let alone a FLASHING light to tell you it's working???
Like the stupid light on a tv, dvr, or cable box to tell you it's off! Well, if it ain't on, then it's OFF!
Plus they are WAY too bright!

 

What's Prius-specific in any of this? Since the earliest days of car alarms, they've had a blinky light on the dash or under the windshield or on the mirror or somewhere. It says to every thief or vandal, "hey! Go steal or vandalize somebody else's car,'cause mine's got this blinky light here."

Aftermarket alarm shops used to have an option to suit every budget, and usually there'd be one that included no alarm system whatever, just the blinky light. We're talking decades of automotive tradition here.

However, the light can on rare occasions tell you something useful, if you have an early Prius generation where the keys/fobs could be registered in a master or sub role. You could tell which one you had by the way the blinky light stopped blinking when the key or fob was presented.

-Chap

 

The original intention of the flashing light was to indicate to would-be thieves that the car alarm was armed. i.e. a token theft deterrent.

 

I never had one, but all aftermarket alarms I knew about had a flashing light, typically on the dashboard or near the ignition key. It was so you could tell at a glance that it was armed. The first ones I saw were armed from inside and you had 30ish seconds to get out and lock the door. It wasn't till later ones which could be activated by remote control or by the central locking. I think my FORDs flashed too.

 

Yes, I remember those, some only needed a AA battery and cost peanuts - they were remarkably effective at the time, according to a report I read in the paper - like dummy security cameras at home - potential thieves went to easier pickings.

 

It means the system is working as designed and you purchased a wonderful automobile...

 

What I like most about the blinking light on my spare 2007 is it lets me know when it's time to connect the charger to the 12v battery again. I glance inside the car whenever I walk by it. If I don't see it blinking, I know "aw crap" I let it sit too long and I have to plug in the trickle charger again.

 

Of course you can do the same thing by leaving the dome light on, and it won't take as long

 

Silent alarm. To let potential thieves know the engine is locked.

 

This may sound weird, but I have never noticed this flashing light until today! I have owned my 2016 Prius since December 31, 2016. I never see it flashing when I get in or out of my car. That's why I feel like I've done something wrong today and started searching forums.

 

Welcome to Prius Chat. Yes, it's easily overlooked in daylight but more eye-catching after dark. Most modern cars with a factory fitted alarm/immobilizer will have one of some sort, though some are bigger (me obvious) than others. Just as long as it goes out when you unlock your car, all is well.