Temp gauge accuracy?
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Temp gauge accuracy?
Just out of curiosity, does the temp gauge on our cars actually fluctuate with the engine temperature or is it more of an "Idiot light" that goes to a certain point regardless of the actual temperature after a while and doesn't get higher unless the temperature gets to a critical level?
Naturally Aspirated
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From: Cincinnati, OH
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Just out of curiosity, does the temp gauge on our cars actually fluctuate with the engine temperature or is it more of an "Idiot light" that goes to a certain point regardless of the actual temperature after a while and doesn't get higher unless the temperature gets to a critical level?
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Re: Temp gauge accuracy?
^ agreed.
Every vehicle I've ever owned the temperature gauge was deadly accurate. I drove my truck for 15 years and the only gauge it had was a temperature gauge and I would have been screwed many times if I didn't take it seriously.
Every vehicle I've ever owned the temperature gauge was deadly accurate. I drove my truck for 15 years and the only gauge it had was a temperature gauge and I would have been screwed many times if I didn't take it seriously.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
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Meh, these have a little illogical logic behind the gauge operation.
"the temperature gauge doesn't operate
in a linear fashion like a fuel level gauge does."
There is a broad range of temps that are covered during normal operation, and the gauge should stay pretty steady in the center normal position for all of them. (Guess:170-220 degrees all give a gauge reading steady in the middle, almost no movement.)
This is done to keep the clueless from whining about the gauge moving:
"This logic buffers the normal action of the thermostat so your customer doesn't stress out watching the temperature gauge constantly sway up and down as the thermostat opens and closes."
Once the engine is outside of its normal temps, the gauge should move either higher or lower.
HTH
"the temperature gauge doesn't operate
in a linear fashion like a fuel level gauge does."
There is a broad range of temps that are covered during normal operation, and the gauge should stay pretty steady in the center normal position for all of them. (Guess:170-220 degrees all give a gauge reading steady in the middle, almost no movement.)
This is done to keep the clueless from whining about the gauge moving:
"This logic buffers the normal action of the thermostat so your customer doesn't stress out watching the temperature gauge constantly sway up and down as the thermostat opens and closes."
Once the engine is outside of its normal temps, the gauge should move either higher or lower.
HTH
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 51,241
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From: NV
Rep Power: 811 Re: Temp gauge accuracy?
the only time mine went down after reaching the warm point was driving in -15F winter in the city. when i stopped at a light it would drop back to 1/4 and sometimes back to cold if i didnt keep it in 3rd gear. above freezing it should never move altho i wish they designed the logic better to make it more useful. i would love for mine to be accurate and not just tell me when the engine needs a rebuild.
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