kaiju

Hi,

Just wondering if anybody here knows whether the temperature guage on the W209 is accurate or not? have always notice it's a couple of degrees higher than the televised forecast.

Also, any idea where the sensor is located?

clkfrk

Mine is always 3-4 higher -- even went to the dealership and had it replaced. Same effect.

Everyonce in a while, it drops down for a few minutes to the correct temp, but it always goes back up.

Strange. Now I just subtract 3-4 and live with it.

CLK500K3K4

the temperature value you see on your dashboard is an average value of ambient temp. and engine compartment temp. so it is fair to say the reported value will always be higher than what your weatherman will tell you. also remember that differences will be compounded whether you're static or dynamic.

Eich

Also remember that when you hear the news on the radio or TV, you are getting a temperature that was reported from some facility, airport etc.. I live about 10 miles from our local airport and frequently they report a temperature that is a few degrees different than what my thermometer at my house shows. The further you live from where the temperature is reported, the more likely you'll differ from their reading.

My car typically reports a temperature at my house that is very similar to what my home outdoor thermometer reports. It doesn't take much to swing the temperature a few degrees.

In the summer, heat coming off the road can significantly affect the temperature your car reports.

kaiju

cool.

Thanks all for your prompt answers.

dave238

I posted an detailed response to this on a previous thread about six months ago. The temperature is pretty accurate. Remember that the temperature on a road is commonly higher than at a weather facility that might not even be near where you are located. At times, it can be 10-15 degrees higher, depending on conditions and traffic. The sensor reads what it sees.

hageshe

My 97 E420 always seems to read 10-15 (sometime 20) F-degrees higher than ambient outdoor temp. I would think that it does seem to be effected by the engine compartment temp...which, if the engineer that came up with that stupid idea worked for me, would be fired on the spot.

No person on Earth cares what the engine compartment temp is. They care about maybe 4 temps:
1. Coolant
2. Oil
3. Outdoor
4. Cabin

BUT...who the Hey! ever cares about some composite quazi-engine bay-outdoor temp? Bizzaar.

mbtech208

Some trucks have transmission temperature gauges too.

Jester

There is some information in the owners manual stating that the temp sensor is actually giving you the temperature of the surface you are driving on for driving safety. Should usually be higher than what your air temp is.

Predator

my temp is screwy sometimes. Sometimes it would say its 120F when the weather is only 70 or 80. Maybe i need to get my temp gauge replaced.

mbtech208

Your temp sensor may have fallen out of the bumper and into the engine compartment.

Predator

hmm I guess I gotta get it checked out.
But the temp gauge has been normal lately.
Thanks