'Outside Temperature Gauge Accuracy ?

Subject: 2021 TRD/ORP/MR

Hello ALL. My 4R is usually garaged most of the time it's not in use. When I first start it up and letting it warm up, the outside temperature gauge is pretty close to the temperature shown on the Thermometer in my garage. When I leave and start driving, it seems the outside temperature gauge in the 4R takes forever to catch up and more accurately show the outdoors temperature. Even if it is 20 degrees warmer outdoors than my garage. Does this make sense what I'm trying to say ? The gauge never seems to catch up to the true temperature outdoors. It always shows a lower reading.
So, my question: Is there some type of probe that needs to be occasionally cleaned to receive a faster and/or more accurate reading ?

Thanks.

 

They were never precision instruments when perfectly new. Think of it as a ballpark reading only.

 

Take that reading with a little more than a pinch of salt and you should be fine.

 

Where exactly is the temperature sensor for the display located at ?

I wonder if the sensor location adds to the slow response/update time?

 

It’s not an instant read thermometer. It has to acclimate to the climate before it will get close the what the local weather agency reports. Also remember that the temp of a vehicle on the road is completely different than a temp being taken from an area that’s surrounded by materials that absorb or produce heat.

 

Thank You ALL for your responses. Much appreciated. OK, your Posts confirm what I originally suspected. But thought it was worth asking. Thanks again.

 

I find the displayed outside temperature in my 2019 to usually be higher than expected after sitting outside for a while, especially in the summer. Once the vehicle is moving, that always goes down to around the temperature I find on my phone for the area.

 

I've never experienced a vehicle with a quick-response ambient thermometer. There must be some out there, but manufacturers in general seem to have judged that the increased cost will not help sales. If the Bronco had a faster-adapting thermometer, would that make anyone buy it instead of a 4R?

 

Not sure if this helps with your question, but usually if the engine is warm and parked, the engine heat will influence the OAT sensor since it is mounted right behind the grill. I’ve noticed after driving a few miles the OAT reflects the outside temperature.

 

From what recall, modern cars in general don’t have a separate outside air temp sensor but rather repeat the temp of the same sensor used to adjust the fuel/air mix and ignition. Not sure where that sensor is on the 4runner, but I recall most are somewhere on the air intake tract.

 

The Outside Air Temperature Sensor is Located in front of the Radiator on the Center support (same support the hood latch is on) it is a small black about 1 inch long some have a white plug on it others just a black plug.

 

Mine showed 999F the other day on the head unit. I usually don’t look at it though since default for me is CarPlay.

 

Again, thanks guys. Your responses started me to think. I've been retired for the last couple years. I no longer have that 35 minute trip each way to the office every day. While the 4R would sit at the office outdoors all day, I would experience the same as Post #7 above. About a Third of the way home the temp gauge would finally read the realistic outdoor temperature. So, yes, it does take a while to correlate. Retired now, I don't have that daily trip anymore. I find myself driving these short stop and go trips most of the time. That would account for the sensor not have enough time to adjust. Or taking longer. Makes sense to me. Thanks again. Your responses allowed me to answer my own question. LOL

 

Mine is pretty accurate after driving a couple of miles.

 

I would think that would be because you are moving air over the sensor when driving, as opposed to just sitting.

 

Precisely.