Aftermarket outside temp gauge sensor location?

All,

Anybody with personal experience on selecting the best location for the outside sensor for an aftermarket battery operated temperature gauge? There are so many places that are affected by engine/exhaust heat that I can think of so just asking to see if someone has found the 'ideal' location for continuous accurate readings driving or sitting still in traffic.

I was actually thinking about putting it inside the side-view mirror.

Any experience with different locations?

 

I know from personal experience that manufacturers tend to put them behind the grill on the front bumper (or similar area). I know Ford when I worked on them did this. Anywhere you can get airflow around it is good to get actual air temp while driving. Basically sitting at idle anywhere there is going to be residual heat from the motor/sun. They are only used for a general idea of temp anyways.

All though, the plow truck I run has a road and air temp sensor that's used on highway plow trucks that is installed on the frame on the left front in front of the tire and seems to work well. This isn't ideal though for any off roading.

Hopefully I didn't confuse anyone

 

I have an ambient temperature display in my Gentex 313 rearview mirror. I put the sensor dead center on the central radiator support, as it is supposed to be stock on most cars.

 

^^ x2 ^^

 

I’ll give that a try.

Thanks!

 

I had mine in the front right blinker.,
Didn't like the reading form the engine
Temps there, so moved it the to bumper even with the license plate as far forward
as possible.

I do like the thought of the right passenger mirror thou.

 

The man who suggested putting the sensor up front on the center radiator support is right on! I put my sensor behind that vertical piece. I think it is shaped like a U-channel but I can't recall right now and I'm too lazy to go out and check . In any event, it's protected from the elements like direct sunlight, not affected by off-road driving, and not affected by engine temperatures as long as the truck is moving.

 

I just got my replacement gauge today. I temporarily routed the sensor through the front left wheel well liner and put the sensor close to the bumper. I’ll see how accurate it is ther both moving and stopped.

 

As far away from radiator will be best,
What mirror did u get

 

Did not get a replacement mirror, just a simpler temp gauge by Bell Industries. My previous one had a display issue develop after many years of use and I had its sensor mounted beside the front lincense plate. Fine while moving but picked up a bunch of degrees sitting in traffic. So now I am experimenting with different locations.

 

I thought that would work too, still may try that if where I have it now does not produce results I am hoping for.

 

I put a thermometer in my 95 and believe I ran it into the framewell towards the back. That was a long time ago. But it seemed to be accurate at the time. My truck now seems like it get a higher reading if I sit at an idle or if i Park it and come back to it it had a higher reading.