
It is normal for the dashboard to display 40 degrees. Here is an introduction to the car dashboard: 1. Introduction to the car dashboard: The car dashboard is a device that reflects the working conditions of various systems of the vehicle. Common indicators include the fuel indicator, washer fluid indicator, electronic throttle indicator, front and rear fog light indicators, and warning lights. 2. Speedometer and odometer: Actually consists of two gauges. One is the speedometer, and the other is the odometer. Traditional speedometers are mechanical. A typical mechanical odometer is connected to a flexible shaft. Inside the flexible shaft is a steel cable. The other end of the flexible shaft is connected to a gear in the transmission. The rotation of the gear drives the rotation of the steel cable. The steel cable drives a magnet inside the odometer's cover to rotate. The cover is connected to the pointer and keeps the pointer at zero position through a hairspring. The speed of the magnet's rotation causes changes in the size of the magnetic field lines. The pointer, whose balance is disrupted, is thus driven. This type of speedometer and odometer is simple and practical.

As someone who frequently researches vehicle issues, when I see the dashboard displaying 40 degrees, I know this typically refers to the coolant temperature. 40 degrees Celsius is indeed on the low side; a normal engine should operate between 90 to 105 degrees after warming up, as this ensures efficient fuel combustion and reduced emissions. If your car has just been started for a few minutes or the surrounding environment is very cold, 40 degrees is normal—the engine hasn't warmed up yet. However, if the temperature still shows 40 degrees after driving for a while, you should suspect a faulty temperature sensor, wiring issues, or a malfunctioning dashboard. This can affect fuel consumption and engine performance. I recommend warming up the engine for 10 minutes and observing any changes. If the temperature doesn't rise above 80 degrees, visit a professional repair shop as soon as possible to prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems.

I'm an experienced driver. Recently, my car also showed a temperature of 40 degrees, which really puzzled me at the time. Normally, the coolant temperature stays around 95 degrees while driving, ensuring proper engine lubrication and stable emissions. A reading of 40 degrees is too low and usually indicates either a cold engine or a faulty sensor. Remember not to panic—try driving a short distance to let the engine warm up. If the reading remains low, it could be due to an aging sensor or cold winter starts. You can check for loose connectors yourself, but leave more complex issues to a technician. Driving frequently at low temperatures accelerates engine wear. I later replaced the sensor, and everything returned to normal. Developing a habit of warming up your engine regularly can help avoid such issues.

When I first started learning to drive, I kept looking at the dashboard, and the 40-degree display confused me. Later, I learned that the coolant temperature should be around 90 degrees or higher when the engine is properly warmed up, so 40 degrees is too low. It's normal for short trips or cold starts, but if it stays that way after driving for a while, it might be a sensor issue. It's advisable to monitor the temperature changes and get it checked promptly if you have any concerns—don't delay.


