Inconsistent Thermometer Readings?

Hey there, still somewhat new to the forums but I had another question to ask.

I have a brand new 2016 Tacoma and the weather here in Tacoma, WA is pretty stable in the 50-60s range. However I took off for vacation for a week (with a flight) and came back and my thermometer readings for the outside temperature as read by the internal dash monitor have been somewhat inconsistent.

Sometimes it's accurate, other times it can be 5-6 degrees too high. We did have a rash of warmer weather coming in, putting us in the 70-80s range, not sure if something is not calibrated right for warmer weather...?

Has anyone else noticed their thermostat acting funky?

 

I live In Tacoma also and my thermometer read just fine.

 

Was it reading high after being parked for a while? If so, you'll get some radiant heat happening which will give you higher readings, but after driving a while it'll settle down to the right temperature (within +/- range).

 

what actual device are you using to compare temps ?

hopefully not some app on a phone

 

Mine is usually off 10 to 15 degrees especially if in wet conditions or if truck has been parked in hot parking lot. I don't trust it. Ps. I grew up in university place.

 

If the app is pulling from a meteorological weather station it can be pretty accurate.

 

no

to decide if the truck thermometer is inaccurate the
temp at the truck and the temp at the weather station (the other gauge) only applies
if they are right next to each other.

 

Yes. Only if a significant distance in proximity or field elevation. Sure if you're checking something in Seattle and are driving in Olympia.

 

Any vehicle is going to read higher in warmer months, especially when sitting for long periods on blacktop. Or if your in heavy traffic. Once you get moving and stay moving it should be near spot on.

 

Yea, occasionally it will be off until the next time I drive it. Seen the same issue in the Wifes Jeep. One of those items on my "not a big deal" list.

 

no

temp can be wildly different in 10 feet, 10 yards, 1 mile...etc..

grass pavement buildings trees clouds..etc all
have huge local effects

the only way you can really verify tacoma being inaccurate is using another calibrated thermometer
and sticking it where the tacoma temp sensor is and driving around and comparing

 

Not typically true in WA it won't differ that much particularly in a mild environment such as the PNW. The location and design of where the temp sensor is placed on the Tacoma is more of an issue.

A weather station is designed and placed by scientists to pick the most accurate ambient temperatures which are more representative of the weather conditions than a sensor mounted under your truck fender, hood or somewhere else that gets too much fluctuation.

 

I installed one of Bobs mirrors on my 2nd gen and that was one of the disclaimers at the bottom.

It said the gauge could be off +or- 5 degrees in either direction and that you shouldn't compare it to other sources as you don't know where that sensor is located.

Mine will usually be off signifcantly when I first get in my truck but it corrects within a minute.

 

Same here. It's to be expected with a black truck that's parked in direct sunlight though

 

When your vehicle is parked on pavement you will get a different reading as the sensor is somewhere under the hood, than when it is in motion with ambient air flowing all around the sensor. That's when it maybe more accurate, or at least that's been my experience.
Also, the location of the weather station, facing north or south can have an impact or reading.
Cheers!

 

Thanks for the replies guys. but the thing is my truck is consistently inconsistently off if that makes any sense. Maybe I just didn't notice it till I got back from vacation but now it's never right haha. Some trips it's spot on. Most of the time its always 5-6 degrees too high, and driving actually makes it INCREASE in temperature, instead of recalibrating it at more appropriate settings.

I understand it's mostly a non-crtiical issue but I would like it to be at least +/- a couple degrees, especially as we get close to the freezing point.

I am just going to have the service guys take a look at it. If they say it's within spec I am not going to bother trying to "fix" it.

 

It's off compared to what? Sorry if it's obvious, I'm on mobile.

 

Did anyone find out where the actual sensor is located? Going to try searching some more.

 

Ambient temp sensor is behind the grill. It is not influenced by wind.

That said, they are not precise devices. They are small pieces of plastic you are comparing to expensive weather equipment. It's a reference.