Temperature Display

The outside temperature is displayed on the electronic display (2). The electronic display is located at the front of the console. Temperature readings may be displayed in either degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C). Pushing the US/MET switch (4) that is located on the left side of the display alternates the temperature readings between Fahrenheit and Celsius. If the outside temperature is 3°C (37°F) or lower, the display toggles between the word ICE and the current temperature every eight seconds in order to warn the driver of the possibility of icy road conditions.

The outside temperature is measured from a sensor that is located behind the front grille. In this location, heat from the radiator may warm the sensor above the actual ambient temperature if there is insufficient airflow across the sensor. In order to prevent false temperature displays, the electronic module monitors the vehicle speed. The vehicle speed must meet certain conditions before the module displays a new reading from the sensor. If the vehicle speed is less that 29 km/h (18 mph), the temperature display is not updated. If the vehicle speed is between 29-58 km/h (18-36 mph), the temperature display is updated at a slow rate. If the vehicle speed is over 58 km/h (35 mph) for longer than 2 minutes, the sensor will be at the correct ambient temperature. The display then updates continuously in order to reflect the ambient temperature more accurately.

When the vehicle is first started, the electronic module uses an internal timer in order to determine how long the vehicle has been turned off. If the vehicle has been turned off for less than four hours, the sensor may be warmer than the actual ambient because the engine and the radiator may not have cooled down yet. In order to prevent a false temperature from being displayed, the electronic module displays the same temperature as when the vehicle was last turned off. A new sensor reading is not displayed until the vehicle speed meets the above mentioned criteria. If the vehicle has been off for more than 4 hours, the module takes an immediate temperature reading from the sensor and displays that temperature. Further updates then must meet the vehicle speed criteria.