Is your outside thermometer correct?

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Old 02-12-2002, 02:04 PM
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Is your outside thermometer correct?

I am certain that my thermometer is always off by 4 degrees . I live in NYC right near Central Park, and that's where the weather guy does his reading from. My temp is always higher by 4 degrees... am I alone on this? Is this something a dealer can fix?
Old 02-12-2002, 02:15 PM
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If you check your owner's manual you can adjust the temperature settings plus or minus 3 degrees. If you're sure that you're always off by that much, then just adjust your thermometer.

As for having this problem I must say that mine is pretty accurate. I have a little electronic thermometer thing at my house, and my car usually matches that... I'd say about 98% of the time. The other 2% it's only off by a degree. I listen to Z100, so they give me the temp in the city which is usually about 2-4 degrees warmer then where I am, which is also accurate....
Old 02-12-2002, 02:24 PM
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Thanks for the tip in the manual. Sounds like they anticipated the problem, couldn't fix it internally for everyone, so they added a little sleeper help to the manual!

Thanks for the advice, dude.
Old 02-12-2002, 02:27 PM
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Mine is always within a degree or two of what they say on the radio. Since I live about 35 miles north of O'Hare airport (Chicago) from where they take the temperature readings, I figure there's going to be a slight temperature difference. So I figure, I'm close enough.
Old 02-12-2002, 02:36 PM
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A few things:

1. if you park indoors, it'll take time for the temperature to adjust to what you hear on the radio

2. where you are may be warmer than where they take the temperature (in the case of Toronto, it's near the airport I think)

3. the car itself radiates heat when it is running which may affect the reading but I'm sure the designers calibrated for this so I doubt it's be off by more than a degree.
Old 02-12-2002, 02:50 PM
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Mine is perfect - pretty close - just gotta give it a few minutes to adjust to outside temp after starting car.
Old 02-12-2002, 02:53 PM
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Also, make sure you are moving before checking the temp gauge. I think the manual recommends 18 mph or so. Otherwise, you will pick up engine heat, etc.
Old 02-12-2002, 04:53 PM
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Thanks for the tips. The thermometer is off when I'm driving, after I've given it some time to adjust from being parked in a garage to going outside. I'm going to try to recalibrate it using the suggestions in the manual.

Thanks
Old 02-12-2002, 05:12 PM
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Well, this is not a life threatening issue, but you should get a thermomenter and check it. Relying on the radio is an unscientific way of calibrating the system, since as I recall, the temp in CPW is measured well above above the ground. Radio broadcasts here wildloyt fluctuate - I got a digital thermo and checked mine, and it is almost always right or nearly right.
Old 02-12-2002, 05:25 PM
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Mine is off as well... usually off by about 1 - 1.5 C..

Andy Kuo
Old 02-12-2002, 05:31 PM
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Mine is usually right on the money.
Old 02-12-2002, 05:57 PM
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Mine is usually of by a few degrees in both the TLS and Max, especially in the Summer time!
Old 02-12-2002, 07:06 PM
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Are you guys kidding? Who really cares if your outside temperature gauge is off by a degree or two. C'mon!!! Damn!!! I think the idea of the feature was to an idea of how cold it is outside. Can you really feel the difference between 80 degrees and 82 degrees.
Old 02-12-2002, 07:19 PM
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I for one like accuracy. The cars thermometer can be adjusted, so just spend the 1 minute necessary and just adjust it if it bothers you.
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