How hot is your car?

[Jesda]

Some versas dont even come with radios (yet speakers are inexplicably standard)

[MinisterofDOOM]

and despite some peoples' objections, I like TPMS.

Ehhhh...this gets the same expectations as coolant temp gauges and anything else on my dash: I don't want an "idiot light." It doesn't do me any good. A binary indicator that trips at a pre-defined, non-customizable threshold is useless to me. I'd love a real-time reading from each tire. But as TPMS tech stands, it only notifies you that something is ALREADY out of spec. By that point I'll have felt the problem myself.

The other problem with TPMS is the number of false positives the sensors tend to give. As with any warning, crying wolf renders it meaningless. Most people I know with TPMS-equipped cars have seen plenty of warning lights but never for the reason the light is supposed to come on. It's always a fault message or a sensor malfunction.
Of course this problem would be solved by replacing the idiot light with a real-time reading.

So let me know when TPMS gives real-time readings at each tire. Until then, I'll stick you letting my toes, butt, and hands tell me when my tire pressure is out of spec.

Some versas dont even come with radios (yet speakers are inexplicably standard)

They're wired to be ready for a headunit of your choice. That's only on the super-stripper 1.6 sedan, though, and was done to break below the $10k msrp point.

[biggie]

Some versas dont even come with radios (yet speakers are inexplicably standard)

They're wired to be ready for a headunit of your choice. That's only on the super-stripper 1.6 sedan, though, and was done to break below the $10k msrp point.

Indeed. A wide range for Versas. From no headunit, to my former one with bluetooth, input jack, and 7 speaker system (with 8" sub). But the car goes from under $10k to over $18k.

[breadbox]

All the Versa has is the light I didn't mind it though, it probably is just as useful as the stock S13 gauge. If you've seen that the S13 temp gauge is hot, then its basically too late.

Unless your spade clips is F'd then it will read high or not at all or intermittently or spike at red lights.

I thought my car was over heating and drove with the heat on sometimes when I got scared. I thought air was in the systems, and in the end my car worked flawlessly, just the single wire connector was screwed up.

Also tire pressure sensors are not as cool and manufacturers think. Sure,its a great reminder for my girl friend to tell me to put air in her tires. I find it annoying.

[AZhitman]

So let me know when TPMS gives real-time readings at each tire.

I have that. Pretty cool for 2001 technology.

[Jesda]

Same here, though one of my TPMS sensors is dead. I probably won't bother fixing it until I need new tires.

[sbird1]

I used to work at a shop and I HATE TPMS. When changing tires, you have to be super careful not to smash the sensor in the wheel. Each of those little bastards is like $200 if you break it. You would think that there would be a better location for it that right there on the valve stem so it can be easily crushed. Whatever...

Oh, and my GF's Scion Xa has no temp. gauge. Just a blue light as well. Stupid econoboxes.

[Dattebayo]

You would think that there would be a better location for it that right there on the valve stem so it can be easily crushed.

You would, huh?

[Razi]

I like having my aftermarket oil pressure and water temp gauges over the dummy oil pressure light and dummy temp gauge on the stock cluster.

I also like having a tach, mostly for diagnosing things.

[Dattebayo]

Oh, I forgot to answer the question...

My car gets above halfway when it's truly warm, but the stock gauge can't really be very accurate because there is no real reference marks along it's arc path...

[Razi]

Your car might be the same, but on the 240sx, the temp gauge needle stays at the middle when the water temp is around 150 degrees, then it starts moving again after you pass about 200 degrees.

So, it's just kinda there to tell you you're warmed up, and that your overheating. May as well be a light I guess.

[Dattebayo]

I can see that for most people it won't even matter; gauge or idiot light... But most of the DIY crowd will hate the light, dur.

[audtatious]

...yet we have automatics with tachometers.

WTF.

My automatic needs a tach......

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I'd rather have a set of lights (low/high temp) than a placebo two or three way switch gauge.
They share problems, but the lights take up less room.

RX-8s have an adaptable redline displayed on the tach depending on engine temp. Now that's sweet.

[C-Kwik]

For most cars/drivers, there is no point to a temp gauge. Modern cars are electronically controlled. I'd speculate most, if not all, new cars have temperature thresholds where the car stops running if reached to prevent permanent damage. A light that goes on prior to reaching the threshold and perhaps providing reasonable warning to allow a driver to pull over safely should be adequate. Certain exceptions could be made for performance vehicles so long as they have reasonably accurate gauges, A truck with a tow package may even be a good candidate so a driver can monitor conditions on the fly as they tow or haul a large load. Outside of that, if one must actively monitor a temp gauge all the time, then they should probably be addressing the issue that makes them nervous about the engine temperature.