Well, I'm still learning the SYNC and Nav system in my new SHO, and although I haven't had it long and don't know if it will slowly "calibrate" itself, it appears that the external temperature reading may be off by reading 5 or 6 degrees higher than actual outside temps. Is there any way to manually calibrate the temperature readings? Curious what others are seeing and experiencing in their cars as well.
External Temperature Reading
- Thread starter Dtech
- Start date
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OldSalt
Floor It!!
I've had my SHO for more than six months and I have at different times compared my reading in the car for outside temp with the thermometer I have at my house and they are always with a degree, so it would seem accurate to me.
Well I tested the temp sensor reading a short while ago with the car completely cold and parked inside my garage against an analog and a digital thermometer and while the two thermometers were within 1 degree of each other the car's sensor was reading 6 and 5 degrees higher respectively than they were. I can see the ambient temp sensor right in the front area between the front bumper/grille and condenser. It would be easily accessible with the sight shield off and looks like an oversized spark plug mounted laying on its side. I guess I'll have to mention it to the dealer tomorrow when I stop by to drop off some paperwork. It should be a quick "non-invasive" fix if they have to replace the sensor.
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SHO U UP
SHO Guru
You haven't removed a front bumper on a new 2010 have ya? It's not that "quick" of a job bro.
You haven't removed a front bumper on a new 2010 have ya? It's not that "quick" of a job bro.
I never said anything about removing the bumper. You can get to the temp sensor from the top when you remove the black plastic sight shield connected to the grille and the core support.
In either case, I found that the electronic thermostat I was using to test with had the T factor tampered with by my seven year old daughter that was pressing buttons on it earlier. Once I corrected that, my car's temp sensor is now only 2 degrees higher. Oh, and the little analog thermometer I was using apparently is still reading the same it was earlier and the temps in the garage have actually gone down so not going to trust that one. The digital thermostat used to run my old A/C unit and was known to be accurate.
Maybe the temp sensor does take some engine start and stop cycles to "settle in" or maybe the sensor itself is needing a little "break-in" from being so new. The car just arrived from the factory on Friday so I'll just keep an eye on it for the next week or so and try and compare it to another known thermometer as well.
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BamaRon
BamaRon
I have also noticed some high readings on my external temp from time to time.
It is not unusual for the temperature to take a few minutes to equilize after you first crank it up. However, I am seeing obvious variations ocationally. I live in Alabama and last week we were having temperatures around 88-90 degrees and my external temp was showing 99 degrees for about 15 minutes!! The next morning I drove it and it was reading about the correct temp of 72.
I have a 2003 expedition that has always been very consistant at about one degree low.
BamaRon
It is not unusual for the temperature to take a few minutes to equilize after you first crank it up. However, I am seeing obvious variations ocationally. I live in Alabama and last week we were having temperatures around 88-90 degrees and my external temp was showing 99 degrees for about 15 minutes!! The next morning I drove it and it was reading about the correct temp of 72.
I have a 2003 expedition that has always been very consistant at about one degree low.
BamaRon
thebigjimsho
LSA = YUM
Ford external temp sensors typically run about 2-3 degrees warmer than actual...
PonySHO
FOG
I'm just guessing that your most accurate reading will be when you're driving down the road, there is no chill factor effect. I'm thinking standing still might be affected by engine heat.
gipraw
Pro Detailer
So I am driving home Friday afternoon, and the temp here i Houston was 93, according to everything I saw, banks, weather channel mobile, etc. According to my temp display in the car, it was 109.
guess I need to have it looked at next week when they install my remote start
guess I need to have it looked at next week when they install my remote start
Keep in mind that the temperatures given on weather forecasts are generally in the shade, so I would say if your car is in the shade it should be pretty close, if in the sun it could easily be 10+ degrees higher, especially if the car has been parked out in the sun.
Good point, but I have had two other cars with external temperature readings and I don't remember having this problem as bad. One problem is that I can't find one of those bank signs giving the temperature as a comparison.
