wefrf

It is really hot here and I was just wondering where the gauge is for the exterior temperature and how accurate it was.

For example what things could have an effect on the reading. Where you park, sitting in the sun etc.

rockthebeef

It's where the clock is. Press the button to cycle through the display.

brettalesi

i think he means where on the car is the actual sensor not how to access itI have no clue. maybe in the manual but i doubt it.

rockthebeef

ha! That makes a ton more sense. Sleep deprivation FTL.

wefrf

Yes that is what i meant.

RyanstC

iTrader: (12)

The sensor is located right in front of the radiator its a small black sensor with a small point on it, its accuracy is good it updates as u drive the car it will have a higher temp. reading after u get out of your from driving and go back to driving it after a while since the heat from the radiator fools it at times.

AAG

iTrader: (1)

Its not in front of the radiator, its on the a/c condenser.

coryjames

its in the lower grill on the drivers side i have mine hooked up to the outlet of my intercooler to see what my temps are from the maf make sure we arent heating the air to much if you look in the lower grill you can see it

RichBinAZ

So driving thru Blythe this thursday, the temp gauge was reading 119F. It was hot but I think that's a bit high.
When we got back to Phoenix it was reading a balmy 115F, but the (red-Alcohol based) thermometer on our back patio was saying 105F. So i wouldn't rely on it's accuracy that much. Wonder if it can be calibrated somehow???

jct

yrmv

RC-PILOT

Take your (red-Alcohol based) thermometer out of the shade of the patio and mount it to something 18" off the HOT pavement. See what happens... That's where your car is taking a reading. Car is VERY accurate.

elwaylite

iTrader: (1)

I've found mine is very accurate, and I've always wondered where it is

getaforknjob

iTrader: (-1)

I don't think the car is EXTREMELY accurate.

I've had it tell me it was 120F out before!

elwaylite

iTrader: (1)

when I come rolling up to my house, the car temp is within 1-3 degrees of my digital thermo outside (not in direct sun) and what the weather app on my crackberry says it is in my area. Cant complain about that.

If the car has been sitting out all day, you gotta drive it for a bit to let it find its stride.

RC-PILOT

Our vehicle computers have to know what the outside air temp is to be able to adjust fuel ratio correctly. If the air is cold it is more dense and requires more fuel to keep the correct ration. If the air is hot, it is less dense and requires less fuel. With a normally asperated vehicle the outside air temp is used to make a portion of the data needed, the other data comes from the MAF sensor. The computer uses the MAF sensor reading (air volume) and the air temp (air density) to know exactly how much fuel is needed to make the correct air/fuel ratio. It is then confirmed by the O2 sensor as a final check. The forward O2 sensor tells the computer if it is good, too lean or too rich. That is called a "Closed Loop" condition and does not happen untill the eng has reached a pre-set minimum temp.

Turbocharged engines are a little different...The air temp of the inbound air still has to be known, as does the inbound volume of air. The difference is that the turbo changes things and forces LOTS more air into the engine. Normally the computer will require data about the intake manifold pressure (boost level). If it does not use that reading, then it will need an updated MAF sensor, and it still needs intake temp, so the air temp has to be taken between the intercooler & the intake manifold as this is the place where the correct air temp going into the eng can be found. Without that minimum data, it will not run right. The turbo compresses the air causing it to heat up. Then the intercooler cools the air temp back down before it goes into the engine. That's why the air temp sensor has to be between the intercooler & intake manifold.

That being said, it's 88° here in Little Rock this morning .