dps01

The digital temperature gauge that's built into the driver's main console (the computerized one that rotates between speedometer/fuel efficiency/etc.) always seems to be about 20 degrees higher than the actual outside temperature.

Is this normal? For example, maybe it's measuring the engine temp. and not the outside temp. Or is it clearly broken and I need to get it fixed.

The ones on my E46 and E92 of course was always dead accurate. Thanks guys.

ARC101

I thought it was outside temp but it is always off at start-up. I guess it depends on where the sensor is positioned as to how accuratly it reads.

Ape

I have the same issue with mine reading higher then the real temp outside. I asked the dealer to look at it when it was in for service and they said that is normal for MB. Wife's ML350 is also always reading higher then the actual air temp. My Acura was always dead on, I am not sure why Honda can get it accurate but MB is so far off.

DaGS1800

This is so true, I live in Miami and when I get into my car sometimes it says like 110 degrees This is very frustrating...

I am curious; does everyone’s temp level by the speedometer which measures the engine heat always sit a bit higher than the half way mark? or is there something unusual with my car? On every other car I’ve had it would always stay at the halfway mark or lower, never higher... is this normal???

FrankBoni

All, I have the same issue on a S500 4matic and live in NY. Weird but I can live with it. I thought maybe the sensor was positioned too close to the radiator or engine. I wouldn't even know where to look. If anyone does find out lmk. Thanks

mthis

Guys if u park in the sun it will shower 20+F higher then what it is,
Try parking in the shade and check the temp and see how accurate it is.
My car is point on and I actually try this yesterday bc I di t believe it was 108F and I check weather.com and it said actual temp was 100 but the feel like temp was 109F so my car was close.

C63newdude

I didn't make a deal out of this but I have seen 124 degrees many times on my cars in Tucson, mainly when the car has been parked outside in the sun for hours.

bluejae

mine is usually pretty high.. but then lowers after a few minutes of driving... it's most likely where they chose to put the sensor...

i had a 2012 ford focus rental and after parked in the sun for like 9 hours... the highest i ever saw it was 120f

rory breaker

Every car I've ever owned has had a slightly inflated temp reading...guessing it depends where the sensor is, if you park in the sun, road conditions (highway vs back road), etc.

FrankBoni

Thanks everyone for the comments. I'll leave by saying yesterday she was parked under a tree all day, went to lunch with the family, the temp spiked to 131! Went down a bit but there is something inherently wrong with the sensor or the position it is in on the car. Granted it was 100 here in NY with 100+ humidity but still. The old town and country ( minivan) had it right

Yuille36

If your temp sensor has popped off, inside the car, the sensor could be reading the temperature inside the engine bay. Mine, came off on my E63. The sensor just snaps in place, and poke through the left lower grill. That could explain the variance in temperatures.

Mort

I have read about the sensor getting dislodged and falling behind the bumper grill a few times and it does seem to result in elevated ambient temperature readings. It is relatively easy to put back in place if you remove the front belly shield.

jvanbrecht

What mort said is correct. when the sensor (in the lower left side of teh grill, it looks like a little black bubble sticking out.. or just a round hole if it fell in) is inside the grill area.. it's like a solar oven beating on down on black plastic.. I had to pop mine back in.. it read 150' last year during hyperfest at summit point race track.. the days weather was 105 (felt like 150 though...)..

OrientBlue3

Mine read 120 yesterday.

Stillpt12

Mine does fine. Sounds like good suggestions!

tpick23

I pulled my cold engine car out of the garage the other day and it sat in the sun where the sensor was in direct sunlight. The temp was 117.

I also had the sensor fall out of the housing (when I installed the laser sensor) and it was lying in the inside of the wheel well. It read 147 then.

Yuille36

So you see the temperatures can be off by allot depending, if the sensor was dislodged from it housing. My E63 sensor seems to be on mark though.

FrankBoni

All,

I have a2005 S500 is the sensor in the same location does anyone know?

Yuille36

FrankBoni,

I would have to probably yes, but I'm not totally sure. Their in the same location on my C63 and E63. Come to think of it, it has been in the same location in the (5) Mercedes I've owned. Just check to be sure.

FrankBoni

haha, thanks. I'll check it out and report back. My first Benz what do i know. The other cars, if you wanted to know how hot it was outside, you stuck your head out the window!

Thanks Yuille

FrankBoni

All, it not in the lower left grill of the s500