Optimistic outside temperature gauge

[ChrisL]

Hi All,

I have a MY 14.5 XC60 and ave a rather optimistic temperature gauge, which was showing 34 degrees in East Yorkshire at the weekend (which it certainly wasn't).

I often notice its high and sometimes it drops a little after a few miles of driving, but wondered if everyone has the issue, or perhaps its just the one on my car which I could get the sensor replaced?

Thanks,
Chris.

[Harvey1512]

The car sensor bakes as it sits in the sun. Once you get moving the sensor drops to get to its real state. This is why you should not leave a thermometer in the sun to get the air temperature. All you do is bake the mercury and you get an artifical reading. It usually corrects itself within a couple of minutes of driving.

[inego]

I'd be getting it checked out - in the last few months mine's never read anything that's appeared over the odds. When it's read 34 it was a pretty real 34 in Sydney, and it did get down to three whilst on the highway on Sunday.

Standing in the sun will bring the temperature up quite a bit, but it should drop after a couple of miles.

[Considered1]

The outside temperature sensor is located in the door mirror.

Mine is the same but I wouldnt leave a bag of sweets on there either and just shows you how temp can rocket, especially these idiots that leave their dog in the car.

[ChrisL]

Thanks all and yes the car was standing in the sun (no choice as my drive is in the sun).

On Sunday I only went to the local shops so no chance to cool, but previous longer journeys have resulted in only minor drops and still reading high. Never had the issue on any other cars, but maybe its down to location of the sensor on this car versus other cars

Thanks

[Harvey1512]

34°C is reading too high for that part of the world at the weekend, any time really! There probably is a bit of a sensor issue to be so far out. On previous cars I have had the increase has usually been about 3-4°C and then it drops quite quickly once I am moving. I am guessing the real temp was at least 10°C out so that is not right.

[Considered1]

It was 26 degrees here at the weekend so 34 parked up in a sun trap is quite realistic I'd say, for a thermometer..

[aew003]

Mine was reading c. 34/35 deg C whilst baking in the sun; as soon as I drove it the indicated temperature started to fall to a much more realistic temperature. This has happened in every car I have owned that had a temperature display so I just assumed that they are all operate in a similar manner......if not then they are all defective? :-)

[aew003]

Mine was reading c. 34/35 deg C whilst baking in the sun; as soon as I drove it the indicated temperature started to fall to a much more realistic temperature. This has happened in every car I have owned that had a temperature display so I just assumed that they are all operate in a similar manner......if not then they are all defective?

[CJL]

My V70 over reads wildly after being parked, but as we've said it's difficult to avoid. It then drops, but still seems to read 2-3C too much when the temperature is 25C+.

I work at an airport and check it against the officially observed temperature and colleagues with different cars. Colder temps it seems to be about right.