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Blue Temp light on when I first start up

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Johnmo, Aug 20, 2012.

  1. Johnmo

    Johnmo Junior Member

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    New/used Prius owner here with a million questions. Only 1 today. When I first start the car a light pops up that looks like a blue thermometer. Does this mean coolant is low? Also, is there some grand legend somewhere that I can look at to see what everything means. Just ordered the manual but it'll be a few days until I get it.

    John
     
    #1 Johnmo, Aug 20, 2012
  2. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

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    That's normal. It just means that it needs to warm up.
     
    #2 WHCSC, Aug 20, 2012
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  3. joedirte

    joedirte Member

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    #3 joedirte, Aug 20, 2012
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  4. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    #4 usnavystgc, Aug 20, 2012
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    The blue coolant light goes out around 40C. The more interesting things happen when the coolant reaches 70C as you'll soon learn.

    GOOD LUCK!
    Bob Wilson
     
    #5 bwilson4web, Aug 20, 2012
  6. w4y

    w4y Junior Member

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    #6 w4y, Aug 21, 2012
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  7. joedirte

    joedirte Member

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    Just reminded me.. So you can get a wheel for a full size spare from a 1992-1997 Corolla spare tire?
     
    #7 joedirte, Aug 21, 2012
  8. C Clay

    C Clay Member

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    Newbie here also. My 2001's blue light comes on 100 % of the time of it has been parked (overnight, after work, etc). Goes off after about 2 miles. Hope that's okay
     
    #8 C Clay, Dec 8, 2012
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    No problem but not much use:
    The blue light goes out at ~40C and doesn't really help. The car won't go into hybrid mode until it reaches 70C and a couple of simple steps:
    1. Coast down from a speed above 32 mph so the engine will auto-stop.
    2. Dead-stop for ~15 seconds for the engine to auto-stop.
    These preliminary steps along with a coolant temperature of 70C and the car goes into "S-4" hybrid mode. It will stay in hybrid mode down to ~60C.

    I have associated the blue light going out with when the heater in automatic will speed up the fan but I'm not sure it is a hard relationship. I typically drive with "heat off" and "recirculate" in the morning to get the coolant temperature up as soon as possible. Of course I'll treat fogged windshield with defroster but only enough to achieve safe driving. The rest of the time, defroster is off because it engages the air conditioner compressor to dry the air and evaporate the moisture. Once the engine coolant is warm enough to achieve hybrid mode, I'll use heat and outside air to keep the windows clear.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #9 bwilson4web, Dec 8, 2012
  10. C Clay

    C Clay Member

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    I'm in Ohio- what's is -40c mean? We're on the Fahrenheit system here. Are you taking about the engine temperature or outside temp?
     
    #10 C Clay, Dec 8, 2012
  11. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Engine coolant temperature, 40 C. Most of the Prius aware OBD scanners use metric. There are web sites to convert to Fahrenheit.

    GOOD LUCK!
    Bob Wilson
     
    #11 bwilson4web, Dec 8, 2012
    C Clay likes this.
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