Accuracy of Outside Temperature Display
#1
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Accuracy of Outside Temperature Display
My outside temp display does not seem to be accurate at all. Yesterday it displayed 82 degrees and the outside temp was a confirmed 101. Is this a probem with the sensor that needs to be replaced. My car is only a month old. Were is the sensor located? thanks
#2
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sensor should be near/on the front bumper cover, but I dont know the exact location. Because it is inside the body panel, so it is reading the air temperature and not the temperature of direct sunlight.
Last edited by RXSF; 07-03-11 at 05:02 PM.
#3
Lexus Champion
My outside temp display always reads lower after the car has been through a car wash. No doubt from the high pressure cold water spray. It goes back to normal after a while.
#4
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having same problem, I live in Phoenix area where temp been above 100 and temp display if off about 10 deg. I was told by the service manager when I took it in for service, it will change one degree for every mile until it gets to the proper temp. That means if it reads 85 degrees when I leave my garage it will take 20 miles of driving until it reads the proper temp of 105. Sounded like BS to me, it never was so screwed up until the car was washed a few times ago. (Side thought getting tired of being riped off every time I go in for service, $250.00 for tire retation and check this and that and do nothing)
#5
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On my RX300, it's in front on the bumper just in front of the lower side of the radiator and I remember we accidentally painted over it when I painted my lower panels black way back in 2002. Temperature was on the fritz that day, but luckily I realized what had happened, cleaned it off with thinner and it was back to normal.
#6
Lexus Champion
Both of my Lexus read incorrect when taken out of the garage and it takes 15-20 minutes for them to read right. Then they are fine and both read the same temps, within a degree or so of what the radio is broadcasting so I think they are pretty accurate. Doesn't bother me if they aren't immediately accurate when pulling out of the garage. If it was important I'd leave them outside baking in the sun. Eh, no thanks.
#7
The garage specially when the doors are close have a different temperature than ambient temperature. Depending on whether your garage is insulated, air-conditioned or bare walls, you will see a different temp from the outside temp. Notice that as soon as you drive out, the temp will either drop or rise fast. This is normal. Now if the reading is off from the outside after driving a while, there is something wrong.
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#8
Mine is consistantly accurate while moving, and it only takes about 5 minutes of driving to get to correct temp. I check mine against radio and the lighted temp indicators and banks etc. and it is usually within 2 degrees.
Steve
Steve
#9
Driver School Candidate
On my RX300, it's in front on the bumper just in front of the lower side of the radiator and I remember we accidentally painted over it when I painted my lower panels black way back in 2002. Temperature was on the fritz that day, but luckily I realized what had happened, cleaned it off with thinner and it was back to normal.
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