External Temperature Gauge/Thermometer

Hi guys,

I'm a new member that just joined this evening. I must say, the recommendations, information, and overall community here was a huge reason why I purchased a 1st gen Taco back in November! But on to the point of this post...

It's winter time in NH and not having an external temp gauge is a bit of an inconvenience with icy snowy roads. I'm wondering if anybody has any recommendations? Should I buy a digital one or maybe just get a small zipper-pull type thermometer and mount it next to the mirror? Ideally I'm not looking to spend a whole lot of money.

Any advice would be helpful and if there's already been a forum posted about this, I apologize.

Thanks!

 

I live down south, so forgive me for not understanding why you'd need to monitor the external temp closely. But why can't you just look on your phone?

Edit: I guess I should add something constructive to this post. I've seen people do rear view mirror mods that had the external temp on it.

 

I have one of the Gentex mirrors that comes in the GM trucks in my other truck:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENTEX-261...d:g:Bt0AAOSwkV5acPoE:rk:5:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Works great, just have to put the temperature sensor somewhere and run some wires.

EDIT: Just remembered that in my Taco, the mirror is attached to the roof. So, I dunno.

 

I use the torque app which can display inlet temperature. I figure that’s close enough to outside air temp. If you have an android phone you can buy one of these

$14 Veepeak Mini Bluetooth OBD II Scanner for Android ONLY, Auto Check Engine Light Code Reader Car Diagnostic Scan Tool

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011NSX27A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and then download the torque app on your phone.

 

It's not a necessity to know the external temp but it's helpful, especially during the winter, for monitoring the formation of bad road conditions like black ice. And yes you can look at your phone but the temperature varies locally and it would be nicer to have something that stays in/with the truck all the time. I'll look into the rear view mirror mods, thanks!

That looks pretty awesome, temp and a compass, thanks!

 

Unfortunately I have an iPhone but that unit seems pretty slick

 

I have a scanguage2 which measures the same thing, I believe.

 

Fortunately they make a version for iPhone as well.

 

I figured they must also have an iPhone version, thanks.

I'm thinking for the time being I might just get something cheap like this and wire it through the firewall and attach the probe somewhere up front away from the engine, maybe behind the grill or inside the front bumper?

$18 AcuRite 00888A3 Indoor/Outdoor Digital Thermometer,Silver,Small

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PAQ32O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

That would work I guess.

 

Here's a link to a few options.
https://www.ebay.com/bhp/car-outside-temperature

 

Those are some great options, thanks!

 

My knuckles on the side window always work well.

Hopefully you wouldn't be relying on a temp gauge to tell if it's icy or not. Temp gauges are merely a convenience, and IMO you shouldn't be relying on them for knowing if the roads are icy. The one in my 4Runner warns me of icy conditions up to 39 degrees (safety factor). I've also been in plenty of sub 32 degree weather with non-icy roads, too.

Your driving style shouldn't really change just because the gauge shows 3 degrees warmer.

 

The Gentex mirror is perfect for this exact purpose.

 

I had one in my camper it worked well....just be aware most only read in Celsius.

 

Yes, relying on intuition is much better than science.

 

As a scientist, I know a little something about data.

Relying on incomplete data, even if that data is accurate, doesn't give the whole picture, either.

If you want to accurately rely on science, you need to measure the current and recent surface temps of the road, specific heat capacity of the road surface, solar intensity, relative humidity, dew point, etc... A simple temp reading from your car isn't going to tell you if there is ice on the road.

 

What a gem. Do you set a biological alarm clock for getting up for work in the AM or PM, because you dont trust alarms ? . My objective data tells me you like to argue to let us know you think your degree is important . For christs sake , the guy just wants to know if its above or below freezing or a close guess as to the temp. I dont think its necessary to bring in all your test equipment to do this . I am reading this thread because my temp guage is not functional and wanted to learn something . Why are you here ?

 

Calm down buddy. Sit down.

I was merely responding to a comment about using "science". If you *really* want to use science, use all of it, not just a single data point. Do you get offended if a mechanic chimes in about a mechanical issue? Why so butt hurt about me saying I'm a scientist (which is a job description, not a level of education)?

I started by saying we should be cautious about using a vehicle temp gauge as THE factor for determining if the road will be icy. If you do that, you WILL be wrong. I have seen numerous threads relating to the issue of "too much information" like someone freaking out over a 5 degree coolant temp change after they installed a scangauge. This is similar to that. a 2 or 3 degree swing from your car will not mean the difference between an icy road and a clear road.

In fact, it is better to use intuition in this case, since the data you are being given is not representative of the conditions that cause icy roads. Your intuition is a combination of many things, whereas the temp gauge is a single data point.

 

No offense at all . I am a mechanic as well ,industrial electrician. But if you ever rode motorcycles ,you would know the drastic weather changes that occur from one area to the next. Sometimes less than a mile apart. The temp sensor is not a bad thing , seems more accurate than a knuckle on the side glass. When was the last time you had your knuckle calibrated ?