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Warning light while driving curves

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by pikapupp, Feb 19, 2010.

  1. pikapupp

    pikapupp New Member

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    Hi. I'm new to the forum. My 05 Prius with 116K miles has been throwing the red triangle warning light for the past couple of weeks. It occurs only briefly (a few seconds at most) while I'm making banking curves on the freeway (I drive pretty fast most of the time). This happens mostly in the mornings, but not every morning on that curve. The roads have been relatively dry lately though maybe dewey. I thought it might be a brief loss of traction, but I have taken the curve faster in the past and I didn't feel like I was losing control. I managed to catch the screen once and all it said was Problem! Does anyone know what this might be?

    Does the Prius store these warning messages somewhere that can be accessed without taking it to the dealer? My husband has an OBDII reader, would that work? We haven't taken the time to try it. Is there anywhere where I could get more information as to why the car displayed the message besides Problem!?

    thanks in advance.
     
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I would check the engine oil level immediately, but that is just me
     
  3. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Idiot lights generally indicate stored codes. Plug in the scanner & report the codes.
     
  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Yeah like Jimbo says. Report the maintenance done to the car please. Trans fluid? Oil? Condition of tires? What kind of tires?
     
  5. pikapupp

    pikapupp New Member

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    Thanks for the responses. I will check the fluid levels when I get home.

    I don't know the condition of the transmission fluid. The oil and filter are up to date. The tires have only about 20k on them and they are the recommended tires for the Prius through Costco. I do need to replace the air filters.
     
  6. pikapupp

    pikapupp New Member

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    FYI, my engine oil was over a quart low.

    Thanks for the help!
     
  7. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    So after you fill the oil the warning went away presumably?
     
  8. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Always check the oil level yourself a few minutes after every oil change. Then later you'll know whether they screwed up the change or whether there is a slow leak.