Frost or Snow Mode
These symbols are used in two ways. Most commonly it is a Frost or Freeze Warning Indicator symbol. Also, particularly those in the colors interpreted as yellow, amber or orange likely indicate that the vehicle has been placed in Snow Mode (below). As a Frost or Freeze warning indicator, the snowflake or ice crystal symbol will come on in yellow/amber when the outside temperature drops to within a few degrees of freezing (about 40°F). At freezing or below, the symbol may turn red.
- Before continuing, is one of these truly your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
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More Versions
Note that in some electric vehicles (EVs), the same symbol or a similar one in blue or is used as a warning that some charge in the main EV battery may be lost or unavailable due to cold weather. The owner’s manual will offer methods for warming the battery.
The version on the far left, which includes lane markers, is used exclusively to indicate cold weather and the possibility of frost on the roadway. The same is true of the second version, where the snowflake or ice crystal image is shown in a triangle.
If the the outside temperature is warmer that 40°F, it is most likely that Snow Mode, and if its a surprise, it may have been chosen accidentally.
It is activated in a number of ways. There may be a button on the console near the shift lever with the snow flake symbol on it. There may be a number of modes available through a menu activated by a button on the steering wheel or one of the stalks attached to the steering column. In these instances, the instrument panel light indicates that the Snow Mode has been activated (see the link). In this mode, the vehicle will start moving in 2nd or even 3rd gear depending on how slippery it is beneath the drive wheels.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY