Thermometer calibration

This summer I realized my thermometer read 4 degrees higher than the actual temperature. I didn't think much of it as I've never trusted car thermometers. But now that winter has come, it still reads 4 degrees warmer than it should.

So anybody have thoughts on calibrating the overhead thermometer?

 

Where ya getting the "real" temp from? I have a professional weather station at home and it disagrees by a few degrees with the TV and various weather websites all the time. Think it's cause they take their readings at the airport....and I ain't at the airport.

 

Mine does the same thing. 4-7 degrees all the time no matter what.

 

Whenever I drive by a thermometer on a sign I now compare it to my truck's. Most banks around me have a thermometer on their signs. Guess it's for the small talk value. "So, you're out of money and it's cold out there."

Anyway, my truck is always 4 degrees warmer than any thermometer I see along the road. Since it seems to be a standard deviation, this leads me to believe it can be corrected.

 

I'd put my money on the truck being right. Get yourself a DMM with a thermometer and check, I'd bet it's right and the banks are wrong.

 

I do have a good thermometer I can check it against but haven't. Why? Because when one thermometer reads 4 degrees higher than 20 different thermometers, then it is more likely that the one is wrong versus the 20.

 

Too many variables.


Ever been on a motorcycle, hit a cool pocket of air or felt the temp rise? It is close enough for me. Remember too, the sensor is on the front of your truck just before the rad. If you are not rolling, then it may be getting some transient heat from there.

 

Stop telling me my thermometer is working. I know it is. My question, the one no one has even attempted to answer is can I reset it's calibration to read 4 degrees colder.

 

You know it is working, I know it is working but what I am saying is that maybe it is accurate.


But to answer your question, no.