With some very cold mornings recently in CT I feel my RDX is not showing a 100% accurate reading versus actual ambient temperature. Granted, I keep my RDX in my garage each night so it warms versus outside temperature but once on the road driving to work I see the temp gauge drop rapidly. But, It never says its as cold as it “really is” from other sources I have (outside temp gauges, local weather reports, etc.)

I feel it displays a temp about 2 degrees higher than it actually is. In other words, if the “real” temperature is 29 degrees the RDX will show 31 degrees. Reading the manual there is a way to adjust the outside temp display to reflect what I feel is more accurate. I think I will drop/adjust it by 2 degrees. My reasoning is I WANT TO KNOW when it’s close to freezing, not already freezing. If my adjustment is overkill, all the better, as I’ll be more cautious. That turning point from non-freezing to freezing is critical when driving.

Opine my RDX comrades.

 

Mine seems to be bang on, but plus/minus 2 deg F is decently accurate and you have to remember, your temp source isn't always bang on to your location. Temps can vary 5-10 degrees just within a city.

 

I think if you're basing your driving style on a 2 degree margin of error around freezing, then you're going to be in a bad accident someday. As cwepruk pointed out, local differences in temperature can be much greater than that. And there's a reason overpasses in cold areas have those signs saying "bridge freezes before roadway", due to the convective cooling of air moving under the bridge. In short, if the temperatures are in the 30's, you need to be aware that there may be slick patches and drive accordingly. You can't wait until it's exactly 32 to change your driving style.

 

mine is usually 1 degree higher than those local temp post/sign thingy~

 

Just adjust the temperature in the settings...

 

Also, air temperature is usually not the same as the ground temperature. Freezing rain is the most dangerous precipitation by a long way, and it usually occurs when the air temperature is slightly above freezing (but the ground temperature is below).

That is why some car manufacturers have a warning light come on at 36 degrees, etc., because that is close enough to warrant extra vigilance.

 

ive found the temp to be pretty much exact

 

Temperature is pretty accurate in my case....

 

Mine is pretty accurate at start but then it increases a couple degrees when the engine gets warm.

 

I've never considered car thermometers to be anything more than approximate indicators, even though mine is right on.

 

thats usually due to acclimating to the weather not the engine heat....i find mine is accurate AFTER a bit of time in the car...perk took the words out of my mouth, i was literally typing BANG ON lol

 

Isn't there an outside temp adjustment in the driver memory settings? I thought you could adjust the outside temp +or- 5 degrees if you felt it was consistently off.

 

Yes there is. I just adjusted mine -2 degrees. All the local temp sources I use consistantly would say the temp is 2 degrees colder than my RDX would show. I now have peace of mind with my adjustment to better match my sources.

 

Just lay a digital thermometer on the hood and in the morning see what it says. Then adjust the car temp to the same number.