Posted by mrv@kluge.net on December 13, 2006, 5:18 pm
NeoPhyte_Rep 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?
Many cars that have an outside temperature display will also warn of
ice conditions.
http://pages.ebay.com/buy/guides/choose-vehicle-features-guide/
For example:
Saab 9000
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_9000
VW Passat
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/carfamily,view,Volkswagen.spy?artidX257&pg=1
Mazdas with the autodimming mirror:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=contactCustomer#26
And there are some aftermarket products that warn if outside
temperatures could lead to black ice:
PNI Wayfinder:
http://www.wayfindercompass.com/wayfinder.asp
(Amazon.com product link shortened)
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2005774/p-2005774/N-111+10201+600003255/c-10101
http://www.safety-devices.com/v7000.htm
Roadpro:
http://www.roadpro.co.uk/retail/product_list.aspx?prod=Temperature+gauges
(Amazon.com product link shortened)
http://www.realtruck.com/productline/1268/1004/1/12_volt_indoor_outdoor_thermometer_w_ice_alert.html
Gentex NVS Auto-Dimming rear-view mirror:
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_codePgenk20&store=&catidF67
Considering that Toyota has considered the Prius to be a platform for
introducing new technology (for examples see the hybrid system,
auto-park (IPA), and the Smart key system), it would not be surprising
that the Prius may have a feature that other Toyotas do not have yet...
But the "outside temperatures cold enough that ice may form warning
light" is not a Toyota-specific new technology.
Posted by howard on December 13, 2006, 11:21 pm
mrv@kluge.net wrote:
> NeoPhyte_Rep 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?
>
>SNIP
My '06 Avalon gives a warning "May be Icy?"
Posted by NeoPhyte_Rep on December 14, 2006, 1:23 am
mrv@kluge.net wrote:
> NeoPhyte_Rep 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?
>
> Many cars that have an outside temperature display will also warn of
> ice conditions.
> http://pages.ebay.com/buy/guides/choose-vehicle-features-guide/
>
> For example:
>
> Saab 9000
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_9000
>
> VW Passat
>
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/carfamily,view,Volkswagen.spy?artidX257&pg=1
>
> Mazdas with the autodimming mirror:
>
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=contactCustomer#26
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2005774/p-2005774/N-111+10201+600003255/c-10101
http://www.realtruck.com/productline/1268/1004/1/12_volt_indoor_outdoor_thermometer_w_ice_alert.html
>
> Gentex NVS Auto-Dimming rear-view mirror:
> http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_codePgenk20&store=&catidF67
>
>
>
> Considering that Toyota has considered the Prius to be a platform for
> introducing new technology (for examples see the hybrid system,
> auto-park (IPA), and the Smart key system), it would not be surprising
> that the Prius may have a feature that other Toyotas do not have yet...
> But the "outside temperatures cold enough that ice may form warning
> light" is not a Toyota-specific new technology.
>
Thank you, I was not aware of these other implementations.
Posted by richard schumacher on December 13, 2006, 3:39 pm
> 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.
It's warning you to drive carefully because there may be patches of ice
on the road. It's nothing at all to do with the car itself.
> 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?