I have a 2014 Non-Z51 Coupe.

On my dash, the gauge indicates the engine coolant is approximately 220 degrees when the car is warmed up.

As I was flipping through the dash screens, I came across the performance screen in the touring mode which indicated the "engine" at 208 degrees. I would think the word "engine" would be measuring the engine coolant, but as you can see there is a difference of approximately 12 degrees.

Does anyone know what the word "engine" on this screen is specifically measuring? I can tell you it is not engine oil, because that was listed below the word "engine".

Thanks

 

Lots of threads on this subject.

Analog gauge is a dummy gauge. Digital is more accurate.

the screen you are looking at shows both coolant and oil temp. look at the symbol if you aren't sure which is which....if I remember right coolant is top and oil is second.

 

Hey my gas gauge reads right in the middle . Is it half full or half empty ?

 

Depends on whether you are an optimist or a pessimist.

 

 

Thanks for the responses.

 

Even the best of gages, analog or digital have margins of error. I’d be pleased but surprised if the sender has a margin of error of less than +/- 2%. Don

 

Yea... I understand a slight different, but to me, a 12 degree difference seems high to me when the coolant only reaches a temperature of approximately 220 degrees under normal conditions. This would be almost a 5% difference.

Honestly, it is not a big deal to me. I'm more curious about the issue then anything else. Again, appreciate all of the responses.

 

My 2014 base convertible reads like your does. If the engine hot light is not illuminated, don't worry about it

 

Thanks Larry... Not worried about it, just curious.

 

The E on the fuel gauge stands for Enough

 

If you beat on the car a bit you will see the 'engine temp' digital readout get to 217 from 208 (where mine runs normally) or so and the analog gauge will not move.

 

I would like to get an accurate readout on this too. Just got back from my 3 day @ Spring Mountain where we beat the hell out of the C7's around the track in 110 deg heat and the temp never varied from 220. I can go on a weekend "stroll" in the country or jam in area traffic and the (coolant)temp guage remains constant @220...

 

I think GM is putting a big "dead" spot in most of their temperature gauges now. My new 2014 ATS gauge once warmed up moves to the tic mark at 3/8 scale and stays there regardless of whether at cruising or full throttle. My previous 2008 CTS would clearly and quickly track with engine load and outside temperature as does my 2006 GMC diesel which will rise pretty quickly to 210 during a full throttle pass or merge before rapidly dropping back to its usual 190-195 operating range.

I think it is designed to alleviate consumer worry but it is turning the gauges into glorified idiot lights. At least so far GM is not dumming them down as badly as some of the older Ford pickups that ran the coolant temp and oil pressure gauges to mid scale and left them there as long as the engine was running, the pressure was above zero, and the temperature was below boil-over in a pressurized system

As I commented in a different thread I noticed the Z06 dash in one of GM's videos replaces the coolant temperature gauge with a boost gauge but leaves the analog fuel gauge above it. I would much prefer the fuel gauge be relegated to a secondary function and re-task that gauge location for temperature or oil pressure. Most of us don't feel the need to constantly monitor fuel level.

 

There is such a thing as a "digital" analog gauge. Basically nothing more than an idiot light, but instead of a bulb that lights when the resistance hits a design point, the needle 'reads' in the acceptable range until the resistance reaches the design point, then goes full scale. Looks more upscale but cheaper than a true analog sender/gauge package.

My Ford truck has one of these for the oil pressure. Gauge reads mid-scale and doesn't move whether the oil is cold or hot or show any change with RPM. Looks 'nice' but is really stupid, as it conveys absolutely nothing in terms of engine condition other than there is some oil pressure above the low-warning set point.

 

Mine reads 220 also.

 

I'm sure this is the case....On my GTi, the gauge would read 190 when the actual temp (measured with a scangauge) was anywhere from 165 to 220... As others have reported, this is more the norm than the exception on many cars..

 

One thing you have to realize there is little analog circuitry in any modern car. The temperature sensor may send an analog signal to the ECM but the ECM sends a digital signal to the gauge package where the signals are converted back into an analog voltage that is read on a voltmeter that is marked as a temperature gauge (different voltages are interpreted as different temperatures).

Sources of error occur in the sensor which is only accurate to a certain amount, the conversion to a digital signal causes another accuracy error, the conversion back to an analog voltage in the IP causes another error and the analog gauge itself can cause another error. The most accurate gauge is the digital gauge since you lose two sources of error by using the digital gauge.

Bill

 

The wonders of a well designed cooling system. It's supposed to do exactly what you described.

 

price of premium is going up. Therefore, it's half empty.