I just had my 07 MCS for 2 months! It is soooo much fun to drive!

However lately I always see a symbol on my dash board screen, it is a little snow flake within a triangle. I observed several times and that symbol always on for a minute when the outside temperature reaches 37 F. I tried to find this in the user manual but couldn't, does anyone know more about this? Thanks!!!

 

ice warning

 

It's a warning about possibly icy roads.

 

for future reference the manual has a chart with all the warning lights and what they mean

 

There's an indicator and warning lamp reference on page 116 of your owner's manual. There's an explanation of that warning indicator on page 44 of that same owner's manual. Take some time to read it.

 

The ice warning light comes on at a conservative 37 degrees.

 

Conservative? I would have been inclined to agree with this, but here in Germany two days ago my frost warning light came on for the first time in weeks, and after driving 5 or so km the temperature went up to 40 degress. When I got to work I found out a friend of mine flipped his truck after hitting a patch of black ice.

While the warning may be annoying at times, take it for what it's worth... Let it put just an ounce of caution in your head.

 

Monday morn, Jan 28, temp was 37 deg, the van hit a patch of ice, both fatalities. Road conditions can change quickly at 37!

 

Like most current BMW's, the temp sensor measures the ambient air temperature. BMW, like many manufacturers, feels that at 37F air temp, the surface temp may still be below freezing, particularly in the shade, or bridgedecks.

 

I have a BMW X5 for 2.5 years and I have only seen it came on one time. I was driving in the morning and heard this chime and then the low temp warning words were displayed. Scared me for a bit until I got home and looked it up on the manual. I live in Southern California btw. It rarely goes under 40 here.

 

Driving from Reno the other night in the wifes Volvo (still planning/building for the best Mini on the Configurator) and the outside temp display indicated a minus 1... ...can't fool physics even in an all wheel drive Volvo...just got to slow down and be aware

 

Now don't go jumping down my throat because this is just what I recall from high school chemistry/physics.

Correct me if I am wrong, the freezing point, under controlled conditions, of "pure" water is 32° F. Given you are in an outside environment, there are many factors involved with freezing; humidity, elevation, pressure, etc. So depending on your region, the temperature at which ice will form on the roads will differ. I like the fact that MINI has the indicator warning at 37° F. It gives you a heads up that ice can/will be forming rather than finding out the hard way. And for anyone that is familiar with Midwestern Winters, the warning is much appreciated, although it should be genetic at this point!

 

Take 5 minutes ago - I don't think I need to see the dash warning!

 

Being a Colorado native, I can't say that I miss this since moving to AZ. Currently 61°F.

 

AGREED! I'm not looking for an argument. Like I said, it should be 2nd nature to those living in cold and snowy areas. If all else fails, safety should be obvious. Chicagoland area is expecting -20°F tomorrow. SWEET!!!

 

I think I would kind of miss it if it wasn't there, as unnecessary as it seems to me. I've grown accustomed to the goofy snowflake and tone every morning and most nights over the past few months.

 

Strangely, my light didn't come on for me last weekend when the temp was below 20. It almost seems like it only comes on if the temp goes below 37 while you are driving. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

I've had my MINI for just over a week (and LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! ). Our weather has been pretty cold here for that entire week so I have seen that nice little snowflake pretty much every time I have gotten in my car. I have noticed that it seems to be a little sporadic coming on right away. Sometimes I get about half a block from my driveway, hear the gong, and think, "oh, yeah, it's cold- that's why I have the heated seats! ) Other times I haven't noticed it.

Maybe this has to do with my garage being warmer than 37 degrees, but only sometimes?

 

If the temp was below 37 when you started the car, it should flash/ding at startup. Maybe you missed it? If your seat belt isn't fastened, the seat belt chime might be standing out more in your mind.