Haven't been out over Hol period and I hate leaving the little car parked on the drive so I decided to take it for a spin, just to warm it up, top up the battery etc., After having driven about 3 miles and being on a back road I thought I'd give the brakes a few hard pushes just to get any rust off the discs etc and keep the drum calipers loose (sad aren't I ..!!) After a couple of 'simulated emergency stops' I got a beep from the OBC and the outside temp *4.0 deg with a 'snow flake' began to flash for a few seconds. What surprised me is that I can drive in freezing weather and the only time I get the flashing warning is when I first switch on the engine. I am now wondering if the OBC read my heavy braking and linked it to possible icey conditions and was that what caused it to beep and flash?? Is it really so sophisticated? :wonder:

it's probably because the outside temp was 4.5C/5C or similar, and during your drive it dropped to 4C.

at 4C you'll get a beep warning you that the temp has dropped to 4C and there could be icy conditions.

just coincidence that it happened while you were testing your brakes

it's probably because the outside temp was 4.5C/5C or similar, and during your drive it dropped to 4C.

at 4C you'll get a beep warning you that the temp has dropped to 4C and there could be icy conditions.

just coincidence that it happened while you were testing your brakes

Yep cheers mate I reckon you'll be spot on as I was dropping down into a valley at the time which would explain the possible drop in temp. Heres me giving far too much credit to the little fabias 'brain'!!

Haven't been out over Hol period and I hate leaving the little car parked on the drive so I decided to take it for a spin, just to warm it up, top up the battery etc., After having driven about 3 miles and being on a back road I thought I'd give the brakes a few hard pushes just to get any rust off the discs etc and keep the drum calipers loose (sad aren't I ..!!) After a couple of 'simulated emergency stops' I got a beep from the OBC and the outside temp *4.0 deg with a 'snow flake' began to flash for a few seconds. What surprised me is that I can drive in freezing weather and the only time I get the flashing warning is when I first switch on the engine. I am now wondering if the OBC read my heavy braking and linked it to possible icey conditions and was that what caused it to beep and flash?? Is it really so sophisticated? :wonder:

Certain times of year it gets really annoying. On my journey to work the temperature varies a lot with hills and towns etc. Every time it goes above 4 degrees than back down you get the beep and it flashes. Five or six times on one journey. I dont really mind as the weather conditions and temp need to be exactly right. I always jump a bit when it does it as the first thought is something has gone wrong !

Your not alone doing the brake thing ! I did it today as mine hasn't really moved much at all over xmas. Took a good few stops to get rid of the rust and the brakes got better every time I did it. Its worth doing, as my brakes definitely werent as sharp as they should have been initially.

Yes, the beep is annoying, I wonder if there is a way of turning it off using VAG-COM/VCDS?

Certain times of year it gets really annoying. On my journey to work the temperature varies a lot with hills and towns etc. Every time it goes above 4 degrees than back down you get the beep and it flashes. Five or six times on one journey. I dont really mind as the weather conditions and temp need to be exactly right. I always jump a bit when it does it as the first thought is something has gone wrong !

Your not alone doing the brake thing ! I did it today as mine hasn't really moved much at all over xmas. Took a good few stops to get rid of the rust and the brakes got better every time I did it. Its worth doing, as my brakes definitely werent as sharp as they should have been initially.

Cheers Raisbeck, I see what you mean. Having only had the car for a short time most of my driving has been done at temps below 4 deg so I haven't had the beep. It seems then it only happens once the temp hovers aropund the 4 deg mark. I suppose it can be annoying if you have to drive a long journey at these temps and it keeps going off. I would have thought the flashing symbol would be enough, if there was any way of turning off the beep bit. As for the brakes, yes you can tell the first time you brake after setting off that they are sluggish, having been stood and it's always been a practice of mine to do a few hard brakings if the road is clear, just to free them up and clean off the discs. Glad to hear I'm not the only one with this complex!!

Yes, the beep is annoying, I wonder if there is a way of turning it off using VAG-COM/VCDS?

Nope, no way because its considered a safety feature and they cannot be disabled.