Air Temperature Readings

[cfarmer03]

Hey, I have a 2012 Toyota 4Runner and noticed that the outside air temperature gauge skips 35, 33, 31, 29 and 27 degrees. If the temp is higher or lower than 35 or 27 respectively, it shows all levels. Is anyone else having the problem or is that a problem on my truck?

 

[1engineer]

Mine only shows prime numbers.

Kidding. Seriously, my TE shows even numbers in that 27-35 degree range. I do know that the sampling rate is slow so what you might bee seeing is an actual 2 degree drop or gain in temperature. Is the truck new to you or have you had it for awhile?

 

[DaPersianRug]

I noticed the same thing, but I think that's because the biggest change in Temperature it will make at a time is 2degF.

ie) if you park your car in the garage where it's 40F, then take it out for a drive where it's 20F, the temperature readings will drop by 2F until the temperature is met. so 40F, 38, 36, 34, ... 26, 24, 22, 20.

But, if the actual temperature outside is 28F, your dash temp should show 28F (i'm pretty sure i've seen mine show 28 before).

 

[cbreze]

I'm currently on a road trip so I've been watching it a lot and notice that it sometimes skips a degree and sometimes doesn't. Also, it seems to only do odd numbers and then when I think I've got it figured out it will throw an even number(no skip) in there. All in all tho, it does seem quite accurate so I'm happy with it.

 

[Yotta]

I have a suspicion that that the temperature gauge outputs temperatures in (integer) Celsius and then a not-too-smart software routine converts them to Fahrenheit and rounds them.

 

[cfarmer03]

It is strange since all numbers odd and even show up above 35 and below 27 but when you get around freezing, it skips. I don't think it is the temperature outside changing quickly 2 degrees? It is a 2012 I pick up in January 2012 new. But somehow I think I recall it use to show 33, 31, etc around freezing but no longer. Love the truck being my last was a 1999 4runner but the temp thing around freezing would be good to be more accurate when it is snowing but shows 34 vs. 32.

 

[cfarmer03]

Thanks but it only happens between 27 and 35 degrees. I get all numbers above 35 and below 27. It is pretty flat so changes in temperature shouldn't change by 2 degrees every time.

 

[adam2562]

it's only when the temp changes quickly and like the other has said.. it's sampling rate isnt fast enough to pick up a quick change.. dont forget that the temperature can vary quit a bit when driving through a wooded section or near water or just in a valley.. going through mountains it'll fluctuate a lot