1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Weird reading of outside temp on MFD

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by mhutch2, Dec 28, 2010.

  1. mhutch2

    mhutch2 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2010
    9
    0
    0
    Location:
    Kansas City, MO
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Long time lurker here with first post. Probably a silly question but noticed something weird on my MFD tonight. I spend a lot of time while driving looking at my MFD (probably too much) and saw something happen that I'd never seen before. First a little background - I've owned Toyota vehicles for the past 15 years, however this is my first Prius. I've owned it about 9 months. Its a 2008 with 36,000 miles, Level 2, I think.

    Here's what happened. I was driving home tonight and happened to be looking at the outside temp reading, which shows in the upper right corner of the MFD, and all of a sudden the display changed and a window or bar or something I'm having trouble describing scrolled down and showed the outside temp in a different way. Something like "Outside Temp = 37". It stayed there for a second or two and scrolled back up and things were the same as they've always been. I watched the display all the way home for about 30 minutes but it never did it again.

    Anyone ever experience that or able to explain it? Sorry if its common knowledge but I'm still learning about this car and curiosity is about to drive me crazy.
     
    #1 mhutch2, Dec 28, 2010
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The purpose of that message is to warn you that outside air temp is dropping near freezing level, so watch out for icy conditions.

    2004 and 2005 model year Prius had an amber warning light that looked like a dreamcatcher, and served the purpose of warning you to look out for icy roads. Many owners had to deal with this light remaining on all winter. Apparently Toyota decided that the light was useless, and instead implemented the brief MFD warning message on later 2G models.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Dec 28, 2010
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,123
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Patrick is absolutely correct, although I've never personally seen the light on the 04 and 05. Mine, being an 06, gives the brief warning message.

    FWIW, on Nissans, when it gets to 37 F, the trip computer may switch (temporarily?) to the temp display and an indicator that reads "ICY" comes on.
     
    #3 cwerdna, Dec 28, 2010
  4. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2007
    7,512
    1,188
    0
    Location:
    Carmichael, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I saw that warning once. It was really cold that day. :madgrin:
     
    #4 dogfriend, Dec 28, 2010
  5. Submarine Dude

    Submarine Dude Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2006
    73
    2
    0
    Location:
    Glendale, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I actually saw that warning for the very first time this morning. What makes it amazing is that I'm in San Diego of all places :eek:
     
    #5 Submarine Dude, Dec 28, 2010
  6. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    1,539
    513
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    I introduced my snowflake light to Mr. black electrical tape.
     
    #6 kenmce, Dec 28, 2010
  7. mhutch2

    mhutch2 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2010
    9
    0
    0
    Location:
    Kansas City, MO
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks all for the prompt replies. I suspected as much but wasn't sure since it was showing up at 37 degrees. I also suspected that if I took the time to study the owners manual I would probably find the answer. Of course being the typical lazy American male it was much easier and much more pleasurable asking the experts. Thanks again.
     
    #7 mhutch2, Dec 28, 2010
  8. svldvc

    svldvc Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2010
    102
    14
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte NC
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Does anyone have a pictures of what the sensor looks like that reads the Outside Air Temp?? cause my MFD is showing two blank lines "--" (I assume my sensor is missing/damaged)

    So I need to know where is it located..? :confused: (**sorry if it's not related**)
     
    #8 svldvc, Dec 29, 2010
  9. alanh

    alanh Active Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2007
    1,175
    99
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I don't have a picture, but it's located in front of the radiator, about the center.

    The "icy" question comes up every year when we have a cold snap.
     
    #9 alanh, Dec 29, 2010
  10. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,985
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Here's a pic from the shop manual.
     

    Attached Files:

    #10 David Beale, Dec 29, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)