Is the Outside Temperature Displayed in Cars Accurate?
3 Answers
Car displayed outside temperature is accurate, here are the relevant details: Temperature: The outside temperature displayed by the car is accurate. For example, when the car dashboard shows a low outside temperature through a snowflake symbol, it is only to alert the driver that the outside temperature is low, to be cautious of icy roads and to drive carefully. Generally, a reminder is given when the outside temperature is below 4 degrees Celsius to prevent the driver from not noticing the change in outside temperature while inside the car. Principle: The principle of the outside temperature sensor generally uses an NTC thermistor for measurement. NTC stands for Negative Temperature Coefficient, meaning the resistance decreases as the temperature increases.
I usually drive to and from work, and I find the temperature display in the car is mostly accurate, but occasionally there are discrepancies. For example, the sensor is usually located near the front bumper of the car. If your car is parked in the sun or you've just started the engine a few minutes ago, it can be affected by the surrounding heat soak, showing a higher or lower temperature than the actual one. Or during heavy snowfall, if snow covers the sensor, the reading may become inaccurate. I've compared it with my phone's weather app a few times, and the values are often close, differing by a degree or two. But when driving fast on the highway, the airflow can cause the reading to be slightly higher. I recommend waiting a few minutes for the system to stabilize before driving, or keeping a portable thermometer for double-checking. This can help avoid misjudgment, especially when adjusting the air conditioning—don't rely too much on it to prevent discomfort. In short, it's a convenient reference, but don't treat it as absolute data.
As a seasoned driver with over 100,000 kilometers under my belt, the temperature display holds significant importance for me. I've noticed that the sensor's location makes it susceptible to environmental influences—initial readings tend to be lower when driving out of a garage, or higher when the car is parked roadside in summer with heat waves rising. Once in winter, it showed zero degrees when it was actually icy, nearly causing a skid, so I learned not to trust it in extreme weather. Aging sensors also lose accuracy; for instance, my old car's readings started drifting after ten years. During maintenance, I make it a point to check or clean dust blockages, which helps improve precision. Overall, it aids in adjusting the air conditioning, but cross-referencing with daily weather forecasts is safer. This prevents misjudgments, especially during extreme seasons, ensuring driving safety.
