BATTERY COLD LIGHT - Page 2

 

mrv@kluge.net wrote:

OK, so what is "Flakey" trying to tell me to do?  It showed up during my
trip to Yellowstone National Park and we couldn't figure out from the
owner's manual what to do in response.

 

NeoPhyte_Rep wrote:


I think it's just warning you that the roads may be icy. Poeple don't
always think about the possibility of black ice etc when they set off
for work on a cold morning, so it's not a bad idea to remind them that
they may need to moderate their driving style when it's close to
freezing outside.

Paul

 


NeoPhyte_Rep wrote:

The yellow snowflake is telling you that it is colder than 3C/37F
outside.  At this temperature, black ice may start forming on the
roads, particularly bridges/overpasses or some shady areas by the side
of the road.  (Ever see "bridge freezes before road" signs before?)
"Flakey" is just there to remind you to drive cautiously as it is cold
enough outside for ice to start forming on the roads.

 

mrv@kluge.net wrote:

So why doesn't every Toyota, or for that matter every car on the road,
have this new indicator light.  They all suffer the same control
problems on black ice, don't they?  Is there not something unique about
the Prius that instigated the creation of this indicator?

 



Wellll... the anti-wheel-slip system is kinda aggressive, in that it
doesn't take much slippage to engage it; it has to do this to prevent
damage to drive system components.  Consider the snowflake a reminder to
drive with a light foot so that you don't get surprised when the
anti-slip system kicks in.  One practical effect is that you need to
give yourself more time/distance from oncoming traffic to get up to
speed from a standing start.

At the same time, a damp or slightly gravelly road will do the same
thing and there is no warning about those conditions.