Outside Temp Gauge

[Cobra_Kai_84]

My outside temperature gauge has never been very accurate... always indicating that the outside temperature is higher (sometimes quite a bit higher) than it actually is. Most times it says its about 4-5 degrees warmer than actual, but I have seen it read 10-15 degrees higher.

Now I know I live in AZ where soon it will be a million degrees out, but my car is parked in a garage at home and at work, so it's covered most of the time. Even when it was cold out here, it would read higher temps. When go somewhere and leave it parked... forget about it.... next time I start the car up the outside temp reading is ridiculously higher. Sure, it comes down a bit when I drive around, but it never gets within 4-5 degrees of the actual temperature outside...

I was wondering if any of you deal with inconsistently high readings from your outside temp gauge. Is this an Infiniti-wide issue, or a G issue, or an isolated issue?

Is it because of where the actual sensor is on the car that it constantly reads a higher temp? Or do I have a faulty sensor that is reading the outside temp gauge incorrectly?

Thanks for any input

[biggie]

Maybe its different for G37, but my G35 is usually within a degree or two. My old '02 Pathfinder could be off by 5 degrees occasionally.

[370Z/28]

Mine is usually 2-5 degrees high. I wonder where the sensor is located. Seems like it would be hard to locate a sensor on a vehicle that wouldn't be coming into any of the automobiles own heat output.

[exit9]

From the 2010 owner's manual:

The outside temperature sensor is located in front of the radiator. The sensor may be affected by road or engine heat, wind directions and other driving conditions. The display may differ from the actual outside temperature or the temperature displayed on various signs or billboards.

[zozoka1212]

Mine is pretty dead on. When I start up the car it is off a little but it is adjusting step by step in a minute and after that it is bang on. Maybe a degree or 2 off.

It must be your locations. AZ is the backyard of the hell. It is frickin hot. LOL

On the serious note there are few members from AZ. Maybe they can chime in with there opinions.

[370Z/28]

From the 2010 owner's manual:

The outside temperature sensor is located in front of the radiator. The sensor may be affected by road or engine heat, wind directions and other driving conditions. The display may differ from the actual outside temperature or the temperature displayed on various signs or billboards.

There y'all go....wanting us to read our manuals again.

[Tim30250]

Mine is pretty accurate and is generally within a degree or two of roadside temp signs (if you can deem those the standard of accuracy.)

[WAldenIV]

When I park outside my temperature usually reads 2 - 5 degrees high. As soon as I start driving it will lower to the correct temperature, usually within a couple of minutes. I match roadside temperature signs pretty consistently.

[Cobra_Kai_84]

Yeah, even in the winter here (with temps in the 40's and 50's) my gauge would read a temp that was 2-5 degrees higher upon start, and even with a little bit of driving it will never creep back down to reflect the actual temperature outside. Obviously, with it being hot out now, it's even more off.

I know it's a minor issue, but I wish the gauge on my car was more accurate. Is it worth bringing it into the dealer then next I am there and having them look at it? Would they replace it or do a repair?

[SteveTheTech]

The rule of thumb we have gone on for years is 5 degrees, any more than that typically gets looked at further.

What I typically do is use the confirmation and adjustments submenu to check mode 5 of the climate control. This will give you the readings of the three temperature sensor, the one in the front the one in the AC air intake, the one in the inside of the heater box. If one isn't within 10-15% I would replace it.

Zozo mentioned his is accurate, I wonder if they are designed to read more accurately in C. If so...damn you metric system, with your logic and 10s.

[BHB 91]

Mine is usually pretty close like others here except sometimes after I wash it it reads low. It corrects itself after I drive down the street and clear the water from the sensor area.