Slip Indicator Light

Boink · 07-18-2007, 11:54 PM

Our Prius, in otherwise tip-top shape and only 4,000 miles on it, just began to only occasionally flash the so-called "slip indicator light." It's just a momentary thing... and the last time it flashed it was while going over a bump (but the car was never in any way shape or form out of control). This has happened several times in the last week or so (but never before). I looked in the forums and found very little (except after a car was in an accident and the alignment was suspected - but that a dealer couldn't figure it out).

Questions:
1) what is this sensor truly for?
2) when it comes on, what is someone realistically supposed to do with the info?
3) any thoughts on what these occasionally, new, flashes might mean?

Thanks.
- MARK

9G-man · 07-19-2007, 12:19 AM

This subject came up in a thread yesterday too.

The slip indicator light comes on to alert the driver that the car is skidding, the front wheels are spinning (lost traction), or the ABS Anti-lock brake system is operating.

It's meant to warn the driver to simply be cautious about the current driving condition.
Realistically, it's an idiot light, because by the time it comes on the event is past, or deep in progress, and a light won't make any difference in the outcome.

Sounds like one of your tires lost traction when you went over the bump, I imagine.

All of this is a function of the VSC nowdays.

Bill Merchant · 07-19-2007, 01:34 AM

Like 9G said, all of your wheels were not moving at the same speed. Bumps can do it, slick roads can do it, rail crossings can do it. Just your car saying, "Watch it, bud, it's slippery!"

**Tideland Prius** · 07-19-2007, 04:01 PM

If the light comes on, it's the traction control

If the light comes on and there's beeping, it's the stability control

Boink · 07-19-2007, 08:22 PM

Interesting, and thank you (can't believe I missed the other thread - which I'd even done a search for). Anyway, reminds me a bit of the ABS motor that briefly kicks on in my Acura when I slip a little. I think the thing that concerned us (very slightly) was that the light had never been seen to come on before.

I guess I won't worry about it until it stays on or starts beeping.

Thanks again!

- MARK

SureValla · 07-19-2007, 08:29 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boink @ Jul 19 2007, 08:22 PM) [snapback]481907[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Interesting, and thank you (can't believe I missed the other thread - which I'd even done a search for). Anyway, reminds me a bit of the ABS motor that briefly kicks on in my Acura when I slip a little. I think the thing that concerned us (very slightly) was that the light had never been seen to come on before.

I guess I won't worry about it until it stays on or starts beeping.

Thanks again!

- MARK
[/b]

yea happens to me all the time as well

donee · 07-19-2007, 08:37 PM

Hi Boink,

Most likely you have become used to your Prius now. And are not afraid to use a little more pedal on accelleration. If you run across a damp or loose man-hole cover, bump, or slick rail road rail, the tire(s) slip.

Believe it or not, at lower speeds your driving a car with more torque than the tires can handle. Somewhat different than other cars And you need to keep your eyes open for poorer road conditions, and pull back the throttle over them. Something the old Porshe and Corvertte drivers probably do instintively, to avoid side stepping. But standard car drivers just do not ever have to worry about, as their cars just do not have the torque to cause a problem.

David Beale · 07-19-2007, 09:44 PM

The loss of traction while going over a bump (and having the Traction Control activated and reducing power) has been discussed several times in the past year. It's normal. Just the Prius system trying to make sure the system components aren't damaged (MG1 in particular).

That you only saw the light and didn't feel a loss of power indicates you are just barely at the threshold.

Boink · 07-25-2007, 11:50 PM

Thanks again. Good info and it all makes sense.
Nice to know that such a prolific and thorough BBS exists for the Prius.

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07-18-2007, 11:54 PM	#1
Boink Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Our Prius, in otherwise tip-top shape and only 4,000 miles on it, just began to only occasionally flash the so-called "slip indicator light." It's just a momentary thing... and the last time it flashed it was while going over a bump (but the car was never in any way shape or form out of control). This has happened several times in the last week or so (but never before). I looked in the forums and found very little (except after a car was in an accident and the alignment was suspected - but that a dealer couldn't figure it out). Questions: 1) what is this sensor truly for? 2) when it comes on, what is someone realistically supposed to do with the info? 3) any thoughts on what these occasionally, new, flashes might mean? Thanks. - MARK

07-19-2007, 12:19 AM	#2
9G-man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 790 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This subject came up in a thread yesterday too. The slip indicator light comes on to alert the driver that the car is skidding, the front wheels are spinning (lost traction), or the ABS Anti-lock brake system is operating. It's meant to warn the driver to simply be cautious about the current driving condition. Realistically, it's an idiot light, because by the time it comes on the event is past, or deep in progress, and a light won't make any difference in the outcome. Sounds like one of your tires lost traction when you went over the bump, I imagine. All of this is a function of the VSC nowdays.

07-19-2007, 01:34 AM	#3
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,962 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 53	Like 9G said, all of your wheels were not moving at the same speed. Bumps can do it, slick roads can do it, rail crossings can do it. Just your car saying, "Watch it, bud, it's slippery!"

07-19-2007, 04:01 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,909 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	If the light comes on, it's the traction control If the light comes on and there's beeping, it's the stability control

07-19-2007, 08:22 PM	#5
Boink Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Interesting, and thank you (can't believe I missed the other thread - which I'd even done a search for). Anyway, reminds me a bit of the ABS motor that briefly kicks on in my Acura when I slip a little. I think the thing that concerned us (very slightly) was that the light had never been seen to come on before. I guess I won't worry about it until it stays on or starts beeping. Thanks again! - MARK

07-19-2007, 08:37 PM	#7
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,536 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi Boink, Most likely you have become used to your Prius now. And are not afraid to use a little more pedal on accelleration. If you run across a damp or loose man-hole cover, bump, or slick rail road rail, the tire(s) slip. Believe it or not, at lower speeds your driving a car with more torque than the tires can handle. Somewhat different than other cars And you need to keep your eyes open for poorer road conditions, and pull back the throttle over them. Something the old Porshe and Corvertte drivers probably do instintively, to avoid side stepping. But standard car drivers just do not ever have to worry about, as their cars just do not have the torque to cause a problem.

07-19-2007, 09:44 PM	#8
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,551 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The loss of traction while going over a bump (and having the Traction Control activated and reducing power) has been discussed several times in the past year. It's normal. Just the Prius system trying to make sure the system components aren't damaged (MG1 in particular). That you only saw the light and didn't feel a loss of power indicates you are just barely at the threshold.

07-25-2007, 11:50 PM	#9
Boink Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks again. Good info and it all makes sense. Nice to know that such a prolific and thorough BBS exists for the Prius.