Just picked up my 1.4tsi Elegance yesterday and twice I've seen the outside temperature way off. Both times it was when the car was restarted 30 mins roughly since last use.

Last night it displayed 16.5° when it was around 4° was only a short drive so didn't see it move much.

This afternoon was around 7° and it read 14° but a longer drive and around 5 minutes later it worked to actual temperature.

Anyone else seen this, never did in my Octavia II.

Everything else is good so far.

Thanks

Both times it was when the car was restarted 30 mins roughly since last use.

 

 

This.  The heat from the engine is getting the to sensor.  The sensors are only accurate when the car is moving and even they they can be slow.

This. The heat from the engine is getting the to sensor. The sensors are only accurate when the car is moving and even they they can be slow.

Have they really placed the sensor where it will be affected by the engineheat?

Thats just silly.

Isn't it tucked behind the bumper somewhere so it isn't affected by airflow when moving, but it does mean it is affected by heat build up when stood stationary after a run.

 

Then again, not had a problem on either of my O3's in the last 18 months or so.

Mine does the same but not as much as yours.  It usually reads a couple of degrees higher then settles down within a couple of minutes after moving off.  

 

Is your car a dark colour?  The sun might also be heating up the panels (when it makes an appearance!)

I had the opposite today when I left work at 14:00, car parked in the sun, and got the Icy roads warning at startup, temp reading -0.5 degrees, drove for 3 or 4 miles and temp was reading 10 degrees.

I thought the common practice these days for cars was the ambient temps sensors was to put them in the wing mirror. Learn something new every day. I've never had any real issue with mine and the readings I get from it. That said I've never had my O3 stationary long enough for heat build up to be an issue.

Thanks for comments, I will have to keep an eye.

First time was a pop in shop, so only around 20mins an outside car park at night. Can't remember when car was last driven prior to the 5 minute trip to shop. So assuming cold can't imagine engine very warm.

2nd time 10 minute drive home from work, then 30 mins sitting on drive on slight slope backwards, in shade in daylight. I did have door open for a while putting logos on radio stations, engine was off.

Odd indeed as rest of time seems normal. Certainly never noticed in my O2 but didn't look either. As only had car just over a day I suppose will have to see, could be a faulty or loose sensor I suppose but as normal when driving I'm not sure if that makes sense.

Edited 19 March, 201511 yr by Mr Zippy

For me it is not normal.

The car knows how long the engine has been switched-off for & should use the last temperature before you stopped the car if the stopping time is less than several hours (due to the effects of engine heating).

 

Makes me think about mine now. I can't say I've really noticed it being wildly wrong but its not something I really pay attention to.

 

 

When the car is turned on the temperature value is filtered at different rates depending on the vehicle speed.

When stationary is should not increase (because heating is more likely from the engine or sun) & when driving at city speed it can increase slowly & at highway speed it can increase at a normal rate.

It should decrease temperature fairly quickly though as this cannot be influenced by the engine or sun heating. (like driving from a heated garage to wintery conditions).

 

 

The location of the ambient temperature sensor is suprisingly difficult to do.

Most manufacturers either place it on the bumper at the front or in the wing mirror, both having plus & minus points.

e.g. The wing mirror sensor location is affected by the sun & at different rates depending on the colour of the mirror.

Most will likely stick to where its always been & use software & readings from other vehicle sensors to try to normalise the value.

Odd indeed as rest of time seems normal. Certainly never noticed in my O2 but didn't look either. As only had car just over a day I suppose will have to see, could be a faulty or loose sensor I suppose but as normal when driving I'm not sure if that makes sense.

 

I was thinking it might be a dodgy sensor. Ambient temperature is a convenience feature (used mainly for the climate system & "icy road conditions" display) so is unlikely to light any lamps of the dashboard to tell you of a problem.

You'll need to read the error codes from the car to see it.

If the sensor is detected as having an error the vehicle can use a substitute value (e.g. intake air temperature) which will give a fairly accurate representation of the outside temperature when the vehicle is moving.

Assume I personally can't read the error codes, would have to go to dealer?

Assume I personally can't read the error codes, would have to go to dealer?

 

For most people, including myself, the easiest way is a trip to the dealer.

Any generic "OBD Scan Tool" could read the diagnostic fault codes (there are apps for your phone or stand alone devices) but of course this will involve buying something.

Unless you can find someone close to you who has one already.

Anyone with genuine vcds equipment can read the codes for you. Have a look at the map of locations to see if there is anyone nearby willing to help

That's what I thought. I'll pop back to dealer, already contacted them so they are aware could be a delivery fault. Will post back when I find out which will be a couple of weeks time.

Aparrt from this I'm loving the new O3, much more luxurious that the O2. Although I will say the low res amundsen screen doesn't fit in with the rest of the car, especially as the colour maxi dot is high resolution. Although I understand this is being changed model my model for the v2 MIB soon. Oh well.

Edited 20 March, 201511 yr by Mr Zippy

I took a look at this last night, arriving at home the outside temperature was 15°C & the engine was hot after a 45 minute trip down the highway..

I parked up in the garage for about 40minutes so would expect some heating up of the engine bay during this time.

When I returned to the car the ambient temperature was 14.5°C which reduced to 12°C within a minute or so of driving outside into the colder air.

Edited 20 March, 201511 yr by Gabbo