Snowflake symbol by temp. What exactlly does it mean?

[Tusin]

I am sure the topic sounds stupid. But I had my coolant flange, and temp sensor replaced a few days ago, and ever since then I have not noticed the little snowflake by the outside temp gauge in the dash come on when it is cold outside (has been -5 to +20 the past week).

I just could have sworn I remember it coming on when it was cold. And am curious if now that it is not coming on if something is "wrong".

[arce909]

Snow

[Tusin]

Did you read my post?

[Sal_B7]

Its just a snowflake, doesnt seem to be a big deal. But it is weird if it doesnt come on.

[Tusin]

Yeah, I could care less about the symbol. It is the fact that it hasn't been coming on lately and it has been plenty freaking cold outside. Does it just show up based on temp?

[Sal_B7]

as far as i know once it reaches to about 42 i think, it usually comes on.

Maybe its taking a break cause its always on.

[ataylor]

unless there is some kind of barometer on our cars, I can't think of any reason for the logic behind displaying/not displaying the snowflake to be any more complicated than:

if < 32 degrees (f)... show snowflake

if > 32 degrees (f)... do not show snowflake

so.. if you temp display is showing the temp accurately, but the snowflake is not appearing, then that is very odd.

[RoadRage]

well on the B5's the snowflake means the temp. outside is at or below freezing. I imagine yours means the same thing.

[paulk11087]

unless there is some kind of barometer on our cars, I can't think of any reason for the logic behind displaying/not displaying the snowflake to be any more complicated than:

if < 32 degrees (f)... show snowflake

if > 32 degrees (f)... do not show snowflake

so.. if you temp display is showing the temp accurately, but the snowflake is not appearing, then that is very odd.

mine is anything below 42F it shows the snowflake.

just means that it COULD be icy in certain areas

[coccodri]

i think mine came on at or around 42 as well

[Tusin]

Hmmm strange. I wonder why it would stop coming on.

[smartass]

It comes on between 5 and -5 C (22-40F)

It's meant to warn you that the temperature is in the most dangerous region for black ice. My BMW (E46 330) did the same thing.

[DUDEFROMRI]

Mine used to stop coming on when it got really cold as well.. Like below 20 or something like that.

You got it before me, Smartass... haha

[Kubus]

My car is in Celsius

But it comes on around 5 degress and stays on til like -5 and then below that it no longer shows. Maybe its just telling you that this is when road conditions are most dangerous. Below that temp it should be obvious to you that its cold and you should be careful...

[mysteryman047]

nothing major but it should show when its cold.

if the car is reading temperature correctly and the snowflake isnt showing when its cold, then something is wrong. mines acted up before but not like that. ive had the temperature on the display drop to the negatives on a warm day before ha.

give your local audi dealership a call. they can most likely give you a quick answer

[A42S4]

Mine always kicks on at 39 F warning me its getting cold enough for snow and ice.

[Alkemix]

mine came on at 39 degrees before... stupid audi doesn't know what freezing temperature is, but to be honest, it's probably comes on at 39 degrees, to account for any irregularities in outside temp readings as a precaution, in case it is actually freezing temp and reading 39 degrees.

Also, since I started thinking about it, it could be set at 39 degrees, because recently iced roads may not have melted at 39 degrees, so it's still a precaution.

So yea, it makes a lot of sense what others are saying, which is the high probability temp range of icy road conditions.

[Kolyan2k]

Snowflake comes on at around 40F. This is the temp when road MIGHT become slippery. This is the temp. when people in Germany are required to switch to winter tires. This is the temp. when summer tires loose their performance properties and become slippery.

[ataylor]

i dont think any of us have answered his question - which is, why.. when his car knows that the temp is below 40 degrees - is the snowflake symbol not coming on?

[bengtc]

My light only comes on 25- 40 F.

[Tanner]

i dont think any of us have answered his question - which is, why.. when his car knows that the temp is below 40 degrees - is the snowflake symbol not coming on?

Maybe because the sensor for the outside temperature is shot.

Pick up a vagcom tool and there's a measuring block to show what the temperature reading is.

When tusin mentions "coolant flange and temp sensor" is this the coolant temperature sensor or the other temp sensor? I'm assuming coolant temp sensor.

[black99.5a4]

well on the B5's the snowflake means the temp. outside is at or below freezing. I imagine yours means the same thing.

wrong, it comes on under 42 degrees, not freezing.

[beantown]

wrong, it comes on under 42 degrees, not freezing.

x2

[grizzles]

I think it gave up after being in Alaska too long

[QuadRings]

It means your heated side mirrors are on. At least I'm 95% sure. Guy I work with said his girlfriend has a Passat that has a button to turn the heated side mirrors on and off, or they can be auto, but the little snow flake shows up when they're on and it beeps. I can only assume it means the same on our cars.

[gyroscope]

It comes on between 5 and -5 C (22-40F)

It's meant to warn you that the temperature is in the most dangerous region for black ice.

This.

[Tusin]

I think it gave up after being in Alaska too long

Seriously right? I do not mind the cold at all. It is just how long it stays cold. Next month is generally the coldest month, and then it starts to slowly warm up. Maybe hit the 50's by May....

So the snowflake came back on. Right when it read 23f. Dropped to 20 and shut off.

[vbrad26]

i agree with smartass lol
mine comes on once it hits 41deg
and its to warn you of icy conditions...

[Tusin]

Yeah.... I don't really need a car to tell me it is icy out. "Look out the window, SNOW!"

[grizzles]

Seriously right? I do not mind the cold at all. It is just how long it stays cold. Next month is generally the coldest month, and then it starts to slowly warm up. Maybe hit the 50's by May....

So the snowflake came back on. Right when it read 23f. Dropped to 20 and shut off.

I don't mind the cold either although I am sure you get a lot more cold than I do. The one thing the B7 doesn't seem to do well is the cold. I have had the cold start issue for ever and it creaks like an old house in the winter but I still love her.

[Quattro]

just means it is freaking cold and you should have the heater on and a sweater. It is completely normal, in Socal I get that symbol a lot :P