Hi guys, 

Just started my car early this morning around 5am (with temperature of about 4 degrees) and noticed a new icon appeared at the top on the central screen. It looks similar to the one below but in white: 

What does it indicate, and is there anything that I should do? First time I've seen this.  Is this just an alert that will go away after the weather starts to get warmer for example? I initially thought that maybe some ice from the windscreen was blocking the sensor near the interior mirror (for the lane departure system) but that did get cleared by the wipers 🤔

Thanks.

That warning light is just to let the driver know that the ambient temperature outside of the car has fallen bellow 5C, that indicator goes red when the temperature is 0C and bellow

It's just indicating that the temperature outside is low enough to produce ice on untreated surfaces. 

As you're a new driver, I'm guessing you haven't driven in very cold weather yet? 

Roads can become very slippery when cold, even if there's no ice formed on them.  Summer tyres start to lose a bit of grip from around 7c or less.  Not to worry you, just something to keep in mind with the colder weather, especially on corners and roundabouts.  

 

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

As you're a new driver, I'm guessing you haven't driven in very cold weather yet? 

Roads can become very slippery when cold, even if there's no ice formed on them.  Summer tyres start to lose a bit of grip from around 7c or less.  Not to worry you, just something to keep in mind with the colder weather, especially on corners and roundabouts.  

 

Yup, first time driving in really cold weather!

Its a great feature and most cars now have this, I've certainly seen the snowflake warning sign on at least the last 4 cars I've had.

Just be careful and don't be lulled  into a false sense of security, as it may sometimes not be visible if you have an external ambient temperature quite low enough to activate the warning, remember though black ice can appear anywhere at any time regardless of the warning symbol. e.g.  cold wind blowing across a country lane, usually on bends too

Make sure the windscreen is properly clear before driving off. I've a few times had it clear to only fog up again and had to stick my head out the window to see where I'm going.

1 hour ago, CraigJ123 said:

Make sure the windscreen is properly clear before driving off. I've a few times had it clear to only fog up again and had to stick my head out the window to see where I'm going.

Very true indeed Craig, this can really screw you up sometimes and a very dangerous situation of total lack of visibility can quickly occur, happened to me in my early days of driving....never did I let it happen again

Unless you've bought a really poverty Fiesta, the best thing about buying Fords is the heated screen!  Oh, how I miss that...  

20 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Unless you've bought a really poverty Fiesta, the best thing about buying Fords is the heated screen!  Oh, how I miss that...  

Yes must admit Tom, it was one of the features which attracted me to a Ford, however I can't see if its truly effective because when I switch mine on the blower boost for the windscreen comes on too, so not sure how much of the clearing process is attributable to the heated element....or maybe as ever, I am missing something 🙂

I am absolutely 100% loving my

Fiesta or (Retirement Charriot)

On our previous cars the snowflake light came on at 4°C (or below), I'd imagine it's the same with Fords. I'm surprised my Mk8 doesn't make a bong (or bing-bong) noise to also warn you, other cars do. I'm not sure if the Mk7 does and can't remember if our Mk6 fiesta did either.

I have a feeling air-con doesn't work at low temperatures (below 5°C on my Skoda), as the matrix/radiator will freeze up. Air con is useful when demisting as it dries out (de-humidifies) the air, however as said above, Fords have the advantage of a heated windscreen.

On 11/4/2020 at 1:20 PM, Chainsawcharlie said:

Yes must admit Tom, it was one of the features which attracted me to a Ford, however I can't see if its truly effective because when I switch mine on the blower boost for the windscreen comes on too, so not sure how much of the clearing process is attributable to the heated element....or maybe as ever, I am missing something 🙂

I am absolutely 100% loving my

Fiesta or (Retirement Charriot)

As I have a fiesta without climate control, I can safely say the heated windscreen is very affective at demisting the windscreen without the blower being turned up or even on the window

On 11/4/2020 at 5:26 PM, Jim H said:

I have a feeling air-con doesn't work at low temperatures (below 5°C on my Skoda), as the matrix/radiator will freeze up. Air con is useful when demisting as it dries out (de-humidifies) the air, however as said above, Fords have the advantage of a heated windscreen.

Air con still works in the Fiesta below 4 degrees but Ford advice is against using it at such low temperatures.

I was told it uses up a lot of petrol so I try not to use the heated windscreen, but  I need to stop being tight as it's not worth the risk.

2 minutes ago, CraigJ123 said:

I was told it uses up a lot of petrol so I try not to use the heated windscreen, but  I need to stop being tight as it's not worth the risk.

so does a heavy right foot. If you have an accident car will use no fuel at all.

1 hour ago, CraigJ123 said:

I was told it uses up a lot of petrol so I try not to use the heated windscreen, but  I need to stop being tight as it's not worth the risk.

If that was the case then I would see my idle go up the way it does when the fans kick in or the AC is on. When you turn ont he heated windscreen, yes it's a electrical draw but it isn't honestly that much of a substantial one

Ah fab. Reassuring to now.