Low Outside Temperature Warning

[Teutonic_Tamer]

On my old Leon, what REALLY P1ssed me off....

When it had the cold temp warning on the dash a "safety feature" would turn off the air con compressor...so no air con and I probably use my air con more in the winter to turbo de-mist the windscreen than in the summer (esp with this weather!)

dunno if the mk5 does this.

Erm . . . turning off the air con compressor is a standard safety feature throughout the entire Motor Industry.    If the air con is used at temperatures below 5degC, then ice can form on the condensor, which then blocks the airflow through the condensor, which then dramatically overheats the air con refrigerant, which then fcuks the air con compressor, and can also blow seals in the system.    Just get used to the fact that cars are actually designed with peeps who do actually posess some levels of intelligence! 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

You're saying that if the snowflake symbol is on the air-con turns off and doesn't deliver any heat to the cabin?

Nope.  The snowflake is purely a visual warning to the big nut holding the steering wheel. 

And "air-con" doesn't actually generate any "heat" for the cabin - it merely cools the air temperature, and reduces the air humidity. 

[stealthwolf]

The snowflake is just a visual warning to indicate that there may be ice, and/or black ice on the roads - and that you "should adapt your driving style accordingly". 

I got this warning heading to the RR on Saturday, near Soton. Asked around and was told it was just for alerting you.

[TeddyKGB]

Ah right, my BMW used to turn the mirror, windscreen and rear window heating on when the outside temperature dropped below 3°C. Thought it was a neat feature.

Urm well, yeh.. that's because BMW's are driven by wayne kerrs who are in too much of a rush to get to work to fiddle their expenses, than switch on their mirror/window/arse/whatever heater

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Ah right, my BMW used to turn the mirror, windscreen and rear window heating on when the outside temperature dropped below 3°C. Thought it was a neat feature.

Urm well, yeh.. that's because BMW's are driven by wayne kerrs who are in too much of a rush to get to work to fiddle their expenses, than switch on their mirror/window/arse/whatever heater

And use their indicators.  Or turn off their foglamps!