damn...first problem with the c6 :(
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 17
From: Walnut Creek, CA
damn...first problem with the c6 :(
Noticed yesterday, when it was REALLY hot here (like 100+) that my c6's thermometer read 84 degrees. Didn't think much of it until I went out again last night and the thing still said 84. Today, it is HOT again, and the thing still says 84, without change. Is this a common problem? Is it worth taking the car in for this minor thing? 
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
Check your owners manual. It's normal. You need to drive at least 10 minutes at a speed above (some number, I think 25). You'll see it change. It has to do with not confusing the climate control.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 17
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Ok, that might be right, then, since it has been SOOOO hot the last few days, and my trips have been short (~10min). I'll check it out.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
It doesn't update automatically. Here's what your 2008 owner's manual says on pages 3-28 and 3-29.
"When all else fails, read the instructions." 
There is also a sensor located behind the front bumper.
This sensor reads the outside air temperature and
helps to maintain the temperature inside the vehicle.
Any cover on the front of the vehicle could give a false
reading in the temperature.
If the outside temperature goes up, the displayed
temperature will not change until:
• The vehicle’s speed is above 12 mph (19 km/h) for
five minutes.
• The vehicle’s speed is above 32 mph (52 km/h) for
two and a half minutes.
These delays prevent false readings. If the temperature
goes down, the outside temperature will be shown
when you start the vehicle. If it has been turned off for
less than three hours, the temperature will be recalled
from the previous vehicle operation.
This sensor reads the outside air temperature and
helps to maintain the temperature inside the vehicle.
Any cover on the front of the vehicle could give a false
reading in the temperature.
If the outside temperature goes up, the displayed
temperature will not change until:
• The vehicle’s speed is above 12 mph (19 km/h) for
five minutes.
• The vehicle’s speed is above 32 mph (52 km/h) for
two and a half minutes.
These delays prevent false readings. If the temperature
goes down, the outside temperature will be shown
when you start the vehicle. If it has been turned off for
less than three hours, the temperature will be recalled
from the previous vehicle operation.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
Don't feel bad about not reading the instructions. Who would think that you need to read instructions about how to read outside air temperature? I posted the same thing when my Vette was new. By the way; it DOES update automatically.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,373
Likes: 6
From: Chatsworth California
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
As has been indicated if the vehicle has not moved, or not travelled very fast or very far since the last reading it is perfectly normal.
The radio displays the outside air temperature value that it receives from the HVAC control module through a class 2 message. The scan tool has the ability to update the displayed ambient air temperature. The outside air temperature value is displayed or updated under the following conditions:
Condition
Display
At start up with the engine OFF more than 3 hours
Displays actual outside temperature
At start up with the engine OFF less than 3 hours
Displays last stored temperature
Vehicle moving above 16 km/h (10 mph) for 5 minutes
Updates temperature display at a slow filtered rate.
Vehicle moving at 51 km/h (32 mph) or greater for 2.5 minutes
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
When the sensor reading is less than the displayed value.
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
If you need to verify that it is working or if you have a need to instantly update it you can
Press the Front Defrost, Rear Defog and fan up buttons simultaneously.
and it will update the temperature display instantly.
The radio displays the outside air temperature value that it receives from the HVAC control module through a class 2 message. The scan tool has the ability to update the displayed ambient air temperature. The outside air temperature value is displayed or updated under the following conditions:
Condition
Display
At start up with the engine OFF more than 3 hours
Displays actual outside temperature
At start up with the engine OFF less than 3 hours
Displays last stored temperature
Vehicle moving above 16 km/h (10 mph) for 5 minutes
Updates temperature display at a slow filtered rate.
Vehicle moving at 51 km/h (32 mph) or greater for 2.5 minutes
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
When the sensor reading is less than the displayed value.
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
If you need to verify that it is working or if you have a need to instantly update it you can
Press the Front Defrost, Rear Defog and fan up buttons simultaneously.
and it will update the temperature display instantly.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 17
From: Walnut Creek, CA
As has been indicated if the vehicle has not moved, or not travelled very fast or very far since the last reading it is perfectly normal.
The radio displays the outside air temperature value that it receives from the HVAC control module through a class 2 message. The scan tool has the ability to update the displayed ambient air temperature. The outside air temperature value is displayed or updated under the following conditions:
Condition
Display
At start up with the engine OFF more than 3 hours
Displays actual outside temperature
At start up with the engine OFF less than 3 hours
Displays last stored temperature
Vehicle moving above 16 km/h (10 mph) for 5 minutes
Updates temperature display at a slow filtered rate.
Vehicle moving at 51 km/h (32 mph) or greater for 2.5 minutes
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
When the sensor reading is less than the displayed value.
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
If you need to verify that it is working or if you have a need to instantly update it you can
Press the Front Defrost, Rear Defog and fan up buttons simultaneously.
and it will update the temperature display instantly.
The radio displays the outside air temperature value that it receives from the HVAC control module through a class 2 message. The scan tool has the ability to update the displayed ambient air temperature. The outside air temperature value is displayed or updated under the following conditions:
Condition
Display
At start up with the engine OFF more than 3 hours
Displays actual outside temperature
At start up with the engine OFF less than 3 hours
Displays last stored temperature
Vehicle moving above 16 km/h (10 mph) for 5 minutes
Updates temperature display at a slow filtered rate.
Vehicle moving at 51 km/h (32 mph) or greater for 2.5 minutes
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
When the sensor reading is less than the displayed value.
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
If you need to verify that it is working or if you have a need to instantly update it you can
Press the Front Defrost, Rear Defog and fan up buttons simultaneously.
and it will update the temperature display instantly.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
As has been indicated if the vehicle has not moved, or not travelled very fast or very far since the last reading it is perfectly normal.
The radio displays the outside air temperature value that it receives from the HVAC control module through a class 2 message. The scan tool has the ability to update the displayed ambient air temperature. The outside air temperature value is displayed or updated under the following conditions:
Condition
Display
At start up with the engine OFF more than 3 hours
Displays actual outside temperature
At start up with the engine OFF less than 3 hours
Displays last stored temperature
Vehicle moving above 16 km/h (10 mph) for 5 minutes
Updates temperature display at a slow filtered rate.
Vehicle moving at 51 km/h (32 mph) or greater for 2.5 minutes
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
When the sensor reading is less than the displayed value.
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
If you need to verify that it is working or if you have a need to instantly update it you can
Press the Front Defrost, Rear Defog and fan up buttons simultaneously.
and it will update the temperature display instantly.
The radio displays the outside air temperature value that it receives from the HVAC control module through a class 2 message. The scan tool has the ability to update the displayed ambient air temperature. The outside air temperature value is displayed or updated under the following conditions:
Condition
Display
At start up with the engine OFF more than 3 hours
Displays actual outside temperature
At start up with the engine OFF less than 3 hours
Displays last stored temperature
Vehicle moving above 16 km/h (10 mph) for 5 minutes
Updates temperature display at a slow filtered rate.
Vehicle moving at 51 km/h (32 mph) or greater for 2.5 minutes
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
When the sensor reading is less than the displayed value.
Updates temperature display as rapidly as possible.
If you need to verify that it is working or if you have a need to instantly update it you can
Press the Front Defrost, Rear Defog and fan up buttons simultaneously.
and it will update the temperature display instantly.
This last part is important and is not in the manual....I use it all the time and it works great! Thanks Talon90!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
Maybe the 2005s are different but when I park my car at work in the morning the thermometer says whatever the current temp is, say 80 degrees. When I get in it at night and start it up the thermometer instantly says 100 or whatever the now current temp is. I don't have to drive a foot. (Yeah it gets hot in TX...)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 17
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco Bay Area California
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 4
From: Henderson Nevada
Maybe the 2005s are different but when I park my car at work in the morning the thermometer says whatever the current temp is, say 80 degrees. When I get in it at night and start it up the thermometer instantly says 100 or whatever the now current temp is. I don't have to drive a foot. (Yeah it gets hot in TX...)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Maybe the 2005s are different but when I park my car at work in the morning the thermometer says whatever the current temp is, say 80 degrees. When I get in it at night and start it up the thermometer instantly says 100 or whatever the now current temp is. I don't have to drive a foot. (Yeah it gets hot in TX...)
At start up with the engine OFF more than 3 hours
Displays actual outside temperature