What does ext mean on the car dashboard?
2 Answers
The ext on the car dashboard stands for external temperature, which is the outdoor temperature. In winter, it may change to a snowflake symbol to indicate that the temperature has exceeded the highest safe value of the coolant, serving as a safety warning for overheating. Ext is the abbreviation for external-temperature. If the car dashboard displays ext 80 degrees, it means the external temperature is 80 degrees. Here are some related introductions: Damaged car thermostat: The coolant only circulates in a small loop without dissipating heat through the radiator; the car cooling fan does not turn on, the car temperature control switch is not activated, or the water temperature sensor is malfunctioning. Car water pump failure: The impeller slips or gets stuck, causing the belt to break; insufficient coolant or radiator leakage. High oil pressure: Incorrect ignition and high oil pressure can cause the car water temperature gauge reading to differ from the actual temperature. How to handle high car water temperature: First, slow down and pull the car to the side of the road. Do not rush to turn off the engine; instead, keep it idling for a while. Put on gloves, place a wet cloth over the radiator cap, and slightly loosen the cap to allow steam to slowly escape. After the radiator pressure drops, add cool water or antifreeze.
While driving, I noticed the EXT indicator on the dashboard, which actually stands for exterior temperature (abbreviation of Exterior). Vehicles usually have a small sensor installed near the front grille to detect outside air temperature, then display it in real-time on the instrument panel. Especially in winter, it helps me assess the risk of road icing. I find this feature quite considerate, as it reminds me to activate the air conditioning or heating system at the right time, ensuring more comfortable and safer driving. For instance, when the EXT reading drops below zero, I know to watch for freezing rain or frost to avoid skidding accidents. I remember once when the sensor got clogged with mud, causing inaccurate readings, but it returned to normal after a simple cleaning. So it's best to check the sensor area during routine maintenance. Overall, though EXT isn't an emergency alert, it provides valuable reference for daily driving.
