Coolant Temperature Gauge
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 162
Likes: 27
From: Lexington KY
Coolant Temperature Gauge
I've never figured out the calibration of the analog coolant temperature gauge. Obviously the "220" is not even near the corresponding hash mark for that temperature.
On my analog gauge normal operating range is with the needle EXACTLY across the center "2" of the "220". Here's the puzzling thing: The needle position is exactly there when the digital temperature shows anything from 184 to 214 degrees! I've never seen the temp above 214, so I don't know what the actual range of values will display at exactly the same needle position, or if it ever goes above that center "2".
The hash marks indicate 10 degrees or maybe 20 in the upper range, but in any case it shouldn't stay on that one spot for a range of at least 30 degrees!.
In another thread, someone commented that (digital) calibrations are only approximate. Nonsense. I would be surprised if they were off more than two degrees in the range of 212-240 degrees. The engine calibrations depend on accurate coolant temperature.
Dave
On my analog gauge normal operating range is with the needle EXACTLY across the center "2" of the "220". Here's the puzzling thing: The needle position is exactly there when the digital temperature shows anything from 184 to 214 degrees! I've never seen the temp above 214, so I don't know what the actual range of values will display at exactly the same needle position, or if it ever goes above that center "2".
The hash marks indicate 10 degrees or maybe 20 in the upper range, but in any case it shouldn't stay on that one spot for a range of at least 30 degrees!.
In another thread, someone commented that (digital) calibrations are only approximate. Nonsense. I would be surprised if they were off more than two degrees in the range of 212-240 degrees. The engine calibrations depend on accurate coolant temperature.
Dave
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,010
Likes: 12,396
From: NE South Carolina
M
Someone mentioned that the gauge markings are laid out by designers to look good, not the engineers. You could make a case that the 220 is really referring to the heavy longer line at the top of the 220 NOT the line that is slightly below that could be 200!
I have a 2014 Z51 and do not have a digital gauge available to display, that I have found!
I've never figured out the calibration of the analog coolant temperature gauge. Obviously the "220" is not even near the corresponding hash mark for that temperature.
On my analog gauge normal operating range is with the needle EXACTLY across the center "2" of the "220". Here's the puzzling thing: The needle position is exactly there when the digital temperature shows anything from 184 to 214 degrees! I've never seen the temp above 214, so I don't know what the actual range of values will display at exactly the same needle position, or if it ever goes above that center "2".
The hash marks indicate 10 degrees or maybe 20 in the upper range, but in any case it shouldn't stay on that one spot for a range of at least 30 degrees!.
In another thread, someone commented that (digital) calibrations are only approximate. Nonsense. I would be surprised if they were off more than two degrees in the range of 212-240 degrees. The engine calibrations depend on accurate coolant temperature.
Dave
On my analog gauge normal operating range is with the needle EXACTLY across the center "2" of the "220". Here's the puzzling thing: The needle position is exactly there when the digital temperature shows anything from 184 to 214 degrees! I've never seen the temp above 214, so I don't know what the actual range of values will display at exactly the same needle position, or if it ever goes above that center "2".
The hash marks indicate 10 degrees or maybe 20 in the upper range, but in any case it shouldn't stay on that one spot for a range of at least 30 degrees!.
In another thread, someone commented that (digital) calibrations are only approximate. Nonsense. I would be surprised if they were off more than two degrees in the range of 212-240 degrees. The engine calibrations depend on accurate coolant temperature.
Dave
I have a 2014 Z51 and do not have a digital gauge available to display, that I have found!
Last edited by JerryU; Sep 26, 2015 at 02:16 AM.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
The analog coolant gauge has large tick marks every 20 degrees below 220, and every 10 degrees above that, with larger spacing between ticks, which makes sense (as long as you know what you are looking at), because it's more precise the closer it gets to overheating.
Awhile back there was a thread about the discrepancy between the analog coolant temp and the digital one. It was speculated that since the icons aren't the same (analog=traditional coolant icon, and digital=engine icon), they weren't' actually reading out the same input; perhaps, they were readings from two different places.
My analog reads 220 and doesn't vary unless it's super-hot outside. My digital will vary with engine load; higher engine load=higher readout within seconds. I can watch it vary while accelerating and downshifting. While cruising, the digital will read 10-12 degrees lower than the analog without fail.
Awhile back there was a thread about the discrepancy between the analog coolant temp and the digital one. It was speculated that since the icons aren't the same (analog=traditional coolant icon, and digital=engine icon), they weren't' actually reading out the same input; perhaps, they were readings from two different places.
My analog reads 220 and doesn't vary unless it's super-hot outside. My digital will vary with engine load; higher engine load=higher readout within seconds. I can watch it vary while accelerating and downshifting. While cruising, the digital will read 10-12 degrees lower than the analog without fail.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,056
From: CA
The analog coolant temperature gauge is an "idiot gauge" that stays at 220, unless the car overheats. It was designed by the same person who does the Toyota Camry gauges (moonlights at Chevy).
I've heard they got someone to fix this for 2015.
Hopefully, for the C8 they will put in gauges that don't require that you paste a protractor to the dash to figure out what the readings represent.
Michael
I've heard they got someone to fix this for 2015.
Hopefully, for the C8 they will put in gauges that don't require that you paste a protractor to the dash to figure out what the readings represent.
Michael
Last edited by Michael A; Sep 27, 2015 at 01:47 AM.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,010
Likes: 12,396
From: NE South Carolina
Thanks. Never in Tour mode. Had tried in Track and Econo but not Tour. Will do when back in town!
Last edited by JerryU; Sep 27, 2015 at 04:16 AM.