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

Did I see a "snowflake" on my energy monitor

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by R_Ann, Dec 4, 2007.

  1. R_Ann

    R_Ann New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2007
    25
    1
    0
    next to the "oustide temp"? I went out after work today to start to car (like always), push in brake, push in button and out of the corner of my eye I "thought" I saw a yellow snowflake then it went right out - am I nuts? Couldn't find anything in the manual. (Yes it's cold - but not THAT cold 30's, with blustery wind in the parking lot so wind chills prob in the low teens. It snowed a little on it during the day but it was gone by then.) OK - I'm rambling...it just freaked me out :eek: Is there something wrong with the car? It was ran fine on the way home. (I plug it in at night on a timer and have the grill blocked with the pipe insulation).
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,831
    16,066
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Yeah it comes on when it's 3°C/37°F or lower. 04/05 models have a permanent snowflake symbol on the dashboard. 06+ models just have it momentarily appearing on the MFD.
     
  3. Neicy

    Neicy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    834
    19
    0
    Location:
    Wakefield, MA.
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XLE
    On mine I don't even see a snowflake. When it gets down to 37 a bar appears across the top of the display that says "Outside temperature 37 degrees". I think it does it a few times for say 5 seconds then goes away.

    My husband's '03 has a blue thermometer on the dash display. I always thought that meant the engine was cold but maybe that's the same thing as the snowflake in the Gen II's?
     
  4. seftonde

    seftonde New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2007
    42
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    OH MY GOSH! YOU SAW A SNOWFLAKE! Get out of the car and run as far and as fast as you can! Hide the dogs and children. Pray to whomever you pray too until the car goes supercritical and the world as we know it is over!

    Seriously - I'm rather jealous. I've heard that some models (sounds like 2005 - 2006) show the snowflake to indicated ambient temps below about 37. I thought it was really cute and have been waiting all summer to see one on my dash. However, loooks like the 2007 only shows the "outside air temp below 37" as Neicy says. I saw that on mine today as well and I was heartbroken that I don't have the snowflake :(

    Take care,
    daniel
     
  5. Schnauzermom

    Schnauzermom New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2007
    40
    0
    0
    Location:
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Gosh, I haven't seen any of those things yet, and it's been below freezing several times.

    My only cold weather surprise thus far has been the low tire pressure symbol the first time I had it out on a cold night. I've gotta say, in getting out my owners manual and looking up that symbol for "low tire pressure" looks a lot like the "major brakes problem" symbol.

    This is the first car I've had with so many "bells and whistles" and it takes some getting used to.
     
  6. Jim1eye

    Jim1eye Shaklee Ind Distributor

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2005
    181
    0
    0
    Location:
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    Yeah, it means your mpg is about to equal the temperature
     
  7. mcbrunnhilde

    mcbrunnhilde Opera singin' Prius nut!

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2004
    612
    21
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    And, as always, beware of the yellow snow!!!

    :D
     
  8. R_Ann

    R_Ann New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2007
    25
    1
    0
    wow - I LOVED the replies! (esp the yellow snow since I have dogs). And yes it definately is there (it's a 2007 pri). I actually waited this am when I started her up and WATCHED (normally I push the button then go outside to unplug) and bingo - *snow*
    But gee - I hope my mileage doesn't go down that far (Jim1eye) I already dropped from 55-56 to 52:(
    thanks all!
    (Gee - are there any more weather phenomenon this car will tell me about? )
     
  9. abq sfr

    abq sfr New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2007
    690
    3
    0
    Location:
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Yeah... Mine has dropped from 57 to 51 :( with an engine block heater.
    But, the daytime temp has risen to about 62 lately (12 degrees over average) so its back up a little, I'm sure I'm also seeing the effect of the winter Ethanol on this tank. I was just thinking about doing an easily removable (velcro attached) partial grill block for those cold NM days, I think there is a sticky on one of the forums with all the details. The problem with NM is the temperature swings are very wide and I don't want to end up running too hot with a blocked grill, I don't have a Scangauge. Note to Toyota: Where's the temperature gauge??
     
  10. mabelair

    mabelair New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2007
    96
    0
    0
    Location:
    Ottawa, ON
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I know this isn't strictly Prius related, but I much prefer the Prius' implementation of cold weather warning on the 06+ much more than my current 06 Impala (only 7 days to go until Prius delivery).

    Every time I turn on the car, even if it's -11 C like it was today, the entire odometer display displays the lovely message, "Ice Possible. Drive with Care". Thanks Captain Obvious. ;-)

    I'm glad there's only a snowflake flash. :)

    MAB
     
  11. Michgal007

    Michgal007 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2006
    1,321
    98
    0
    Location:
    Macon, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Wow, I never noticed a snowflake. I am going to look for it next time. :)