Snowflake gone in 2006

[Tom_06]

I picked up my 2006 on January 2nd in the middle of an unseasonably warm stretch of weather here in Delaware. It was 34 degrees this morning and I happened to notice that the snowflake so prominent in 2004 and 2005 models seems to be gone. I don't remember seeing it in the manual either. It doesn't show up when you power up the car (when all the warnings are on at once). I don't remember seeing anyone else comment on this in the past year or so that I have been watching this forum

- Tom

[Eug]

Originally posted by Tom_06@Jan 10 2006, 10:31 AM
I picked up my 2006 on January 2nd in the middle of an unseasonably warm stretch of weather here in Delaware.  It was 34 degrees this morning and I happened to notice that the snowflake so prominent in 2004 and 2005 models seems to be gone.  I don't remember seeing it in the manual either.  It doesn't show up when you power up the car (when all the warnings are on at once).  I don't remember seeing anyone else comment on this in the past year or so that I have been watching this forum

- Tom

[snapback]186987[/snapback]

If it's gone, that's a good thing. It's got to be the most useless warning, ever, and it just worries people not used to the car for no good reason.

[keydiver]

Originally posted by Tom_06@Jan 10 2006, 11:31 AM
It was 34 degrees this morning and I happened to notice that the snowflake so prominent in 2004 and 2005 models seems to be gone.

[snapback]186987[/snapback]

Interesting observation. You're right, I can't find a single mention of it in the 2006 owner's manual. Yippee! Toyota must have been listening to some of the confusion/feedback about that "feature".
Counting the days until mine comes in...today might be the day!

[SirSpidey]

I also posted this as a question in the Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting forum in the "Does-the-Low-Temperature-Indicator-Exist-on-2006" thread.

The snowflake indicator is mentioned in the pre-delivery checklist that Toyota puts out for 2006, however.

But... looks like the snowlake the snowflake is dead. Long live the snowflake!

~Spidey

[Sufferin' Prius Envy]

Originally posted by Eug@Jan 10 2006, 07:35 AM
If it's gone, that's a good thing. It's got to be the most useless warning, ever, and it just worries people not used to the car for no good reason.

[snapback]186992[/snapback]

Yeah, I could imagine that snowflake warning light being obnoxious in freakishly cold areas of the world. It’s probably about as useless as that sunshine warning light on the dash for us Californian’s. [Oh wait. That’s the headlight warning light. Nnevvvverrrr mind. :P ]

In California and other warm area, the snowflake warning light is a very useful reminder. Those of us who don’t normally drive under those conditions tend to forget. If Toyota did get rid of the snowflake for ‘06, I think that was a mistake. A better solution would have been to design the warning and caution lights like they are on commercial aircraft.

On commercial aircraft there are two main warning lights. A red Master Warning Light for serious problems (much like the red triangle of death warning in the Prius), and a yellow Master Caution Light for items which need to be brought to the pilot’s attention, but are not necessarily serious in nature.

Both lights alert the pilot to look at what is called the Annunciator Panel where the actual warning will be displayed. If the problem caused the Master Warning Light to come on, the pilot can only stop the Master Warning Light from blinking, but may not turn it off - due to the severity of the problem, the pilot is constantly reminded. If the problem lit the Master Caution Light, the pilot can turn the Master Caution off.

In the Prius, a snowflake would be a Master Caution, but if the problem is something more serious, like running out of gas, the Master Warning would stay lit. The Prius MFD could be used as an Annunciator Panel. No need to have all those lights on the dash disturbing us all the time. The MFD would/could do a better job of telling the driver what the problem is, and how to remedy the situation, not just display some stupid icon and expect everyone who ever drives the car to understand its significance.

[bookrats]

I could swear Heidi said she saw the snowflake the other day on her 2006.

I'll ask her tonight. However, our current weather report shows no opportunity to see a snowflake for at least a week. (Rain and in the 50s.)

[Tideland Prius]

ehhh.. wasn't there another thread exactly like this? I swear I thought I saw someone post a picture of it.

[jeromep]

Originally posted by bookrats@Jan 10 2006, 10:57 AM
I could swear Heidi said she saw the snowflake the other day on her 2006. 

I'll ask her tonight.  However, our current weather report shows no opportunity to see a snowflake for at least a week.  (Rain and in the 50s.)

[snapback]187074[/snapback]

Could the 2006 snowflake be one that turns on for a short period of time, a couple of minutes and then goes off?

[bookrats]

Originally posted by Tideland Prius@Jan 10 2006, 12:41 PM
ehhh.. wasn't there another thread exactly like this? I swear I thought I saw someone post a picture of it.

[snapback]187145[/snapback]

Right you are, TP -- it's on this thread, with a picture. Thanks!

Well, that ends that discussion.

[efusco]

Originally posted by bookrats@Jan 10 2006, 03:09 PM
Right you are, TP -- it's on this thread, with a picture.  Thanks!

Well, that ends that discussion.

[snapback]187228[/snapback]

Arrgh, read the entire thread. That picture is NOT from an '06...note the comment says it "was" in that location. The photo was posted as a guide to those searching for it on their '06.

I think, if the discussion is ended, it is with the conclusion that there is not a constant snowflake light. I would be curious if the MFD lights up briefly with the snowflake warning as it does on the '04-'05 models. That would make sense and not be as bothersome to some as the one on the display panel seems to be.