Good 'ol Temperature Gauge : Yes or No?

abhik · 17th June 2009, 17:26

A definate YES! It is necessary, the first time i noticed this was on the Getz CRDi but i was really disappointed at Hyundai taking off this inexpensive feature which i later got to know that other manufacturers were also following the same practice.

One never knows when a hose can go bust or crack and leak resulting in coolant loss and overheating and this is when the Temp gauge cames handy in determining how long can you run the car to the nearest place to rectify the problem if stranded in an unfamiliar location. Atleast you can stop fill water, cool off the car and head on till it heats up again and repeat the process while stranded on a highway till you can get the problem fixed.
Without a temp guage or just indicators, it will be a nightmare and one would probably end up frying the engine or a warped head.

Technocrat · 17th June 2009, 17:42

Frankly speaking for a modern machinery I dont think it should be there but then again keeping in mind Indian conditions where rats chew wires & hose pipes and also the poor Service professional in some places this is indeed a necessity.

NetfreakBombay · 17th June 2009, 18:50

Even though the gauge appears Analog, it might actually be getting a digital feed.

So its really a question of having a separate Display with better "granularity" or just a Light that shows that engine is ins safe temperature zone or not.

n_aditya · 17th June 2009, 19:08

Definitely a "YES" from me. Unless the temperature is measured and the driver is alerted by means of a Check Engine Light. But i would still prefer the conventional guage.

GTO · 17th June 2009, 19:20

Currently a 100% in favour of the temp gauge

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

I am not sure but maybe the CEL does this now.

Didn't on the Vtec. Also...

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteKnight

Two- If you ever have an over-heating problem, the gauge helps you to drag your car to a safer place. Looking at the gauge, you would be able to predict how much you could drive before things heat up

True. You could continuously monitor the temp gauge and get to the garage / your destination.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

Along the same line of thought, isnt a Tachometer also more or less a necessity? Along with the temp, dont we also need to monitor engine revvs?

Of course it is. I don't see any car not offering a revv counter (except entry level & economy variants).

Quote:

Originally Posted by star_aqua

GTO, are you sure that this modern car which you have posted doesn't have temp guage / warning lamp for overheating?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Frankly speaking for a modern machinery I dont think it should be there but then again keeping in mind Indian conditions where rats chew wires & hose pipes and also the poor Service professional in some places this is indeed a necessity.

Pic just used as an example. And we'd still prefer to have a detailed temp gauge, not just a warning light.

Quote:

Frankly speaking for a modern machinery I dont think it should be there but then again keeping in mind Indian conditions where rats chew wires & hose pipes and also the poor Service professional in some places this is indeed a necessity.

Radiators can also leak, modern car or vintage.

Mpower · 17th June 2009, 19:26

I dont really need a guage, but need some indication of temp.

For eg, my HHR does not have a temp guage but I can scroll thru the DIS display and get the actual temp with 1 degree resolution.

Of course if its overheating, I get a temp warning light.

kannan666 · 17th June 2009, 19:38

Definitely Yes ! All my cars (yes, all are over 14 years old except the Omni ! ) have them and I keep an eye out for them most of the time !

Technocrat · 17th June 2009, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Radiators can also leak, modern car or vintage.

Exactly & that fits into the Indian conditions.

janitha · 17th June 2009, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Pic just used as an example. And we'd still prefer to have a detailed temp gauge, not just a warning light.

An analogue meter is necessary and I have voted Yes. But Vista does have a digital gauge (which is always on) and not just a warning light.

anjan_c2007 · 17th June 2009, 20:01

The temperature guage is a life saving device for the car. The red LED lights as warning lamps are sometimes not noticed on the dash console.How many of us driive the car with the hand brake engaged and the LED turned on unnoticed?
The temperature guage shows a "aanko dekha haal" direct from the water pump.
Mind you, even in the socialist days of price controls on cars

(till the late 1970's) the temperature guage and fuel meter were the only two meters apart from the speedo on almost all Indian cars as OE.

pedrolourenco · 17th June 2009, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

I dont really need a guage, but need some indication of temp.

The first few Fiat Uno's had a high temp warning light in the place where the gauge came later. I had one of those. Only once did it turn read. The coolant had leaked out.

greenhorn · 17th June 2009, 20:11

how fast the engine heats up is an indicator of which fan ( compressor or engine) fan has died. By the time the engine lights up, it might already be too late. Noticing the speed with which temp gauge goes up will let you know if any of the fans might be kaput, and may inform you in advance to change your driving style to keep your engine cool till you make it to a workshop.

So a big Resounding YES!

As long as we're talking, I think we need a Voltage, current, and in my case, a boost Gauge!

Ford Rocam · 17th June 2009, 20:18

I would also recommend manufacturer to add audible alarm, something like *Beep* *Beep* along with flashing MIL to get attention of the driver. sometime when you keep on driving we tend to forget to pay attention to instrument cluster & even if the Temp gauge goes to peak "H" we are not aware of it until we see smoke coming out of bonnet.
Be it stock or Modified Engine, Oil /water temp along with a audible alarm is a must. It will save your engine from expensive repairs.

im_srini · 17th June 2009, 20:34

I say the more the merrier, I'd like gauges for water temp, oil pressure, & volts - at least as options from the manufacturers themselves. And tachometers are an absolute must, if bikes can have them shouldn't cars too ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Rocam

I would also recommend manufacturer to add audible alarm, something like *Beep* *Beep* along with flashing MIL to get attention of the driver.

I second this, if manufacturers can add audible alarms for ajar doors, keys, or headlights, surely they can add them for more serious stuff such as oil pressure & water temp.

vipul_singh · 17th June 2009, 20:35

Like the others have said: YES, YES, YES

Two examples:

(1) Using the temp gauge behavior, I once detected that the fan relay on my GTX was not cutting in at the first speed, and only worked at the second speed. Proactively got the relay changed

(2) The temp gauge did not come down immediately after switching on the A/C. I immediately understood that there is some problem in the connection to the 4-level pressure switch. Got the connection checked, and saved a lot of frustration on A/C not cooling properly. Somehow the mechanics had screwed up the connection after A/C service.

Do I need to say more?

View Poll Results: Is the temperature gauge a necessity?
Yes	452	93.00%
No	34	7.00%
Voters: 486. You may not vote on this poll

17th June 2009, 17:26	#16
abhik BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 847 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	A definate YES! It is necessary, the first time i noticed this was on the Getz CRDi but i was really disappointed at Hyundai taking off this inexpensive feature which i later got to know that other manufacturers were also following the same practice. One never knows when a hose can go bust or crack and leak resulting in coolant loss and overheating and this is when the Temp gauge cames handy in determining how long can you run the car to the nearest place to rectify the problem if stranded in an unfamiliar location. Atleast you can stop fill water, cool off the car and head on till it heats up again and repeat the process while stranded on a highway till you can get the problem fixed. Without a temp guage or just indicators, it will be a nightmare and one would probably end up frying the engine or a warped head.
	() Thanks

17th June 2009, 17:42	#17
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,765 Thanked: 2,705 Times	Frankly speaking for a modern machinery I dont think it should be there but then again keeping in mind Indian conditions where rats chew wires & hose pipes and also the poor Service professional in some places this is indeed a necessity.
	() Thanks

17th June 2009, 18:50	#18
NetfreakBombay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,481 Thanked: 1,130 Times	Even though the gauge appears Analog, it might actually be getting a digital feed. So its really a question of having a separate Display with better "granularity" or just a Light that shows that engine is ins safe temperature zone or not.
	() Thanks

17th June 2009, 19:08	#19
n_aditya Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 5,372 Thanked: 3,806 Times View My Garage	Definitely a "YES" from me. Unless the temperature is measured and the driver is alerted by means of a Check Engine Light. But i would still prefer the conventional guage.
	() Thanks

17th June 2009, 19:26	#21
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,397 Thanked: 1,735 Times View My Garage	I dont really need a guage, but need some indication of temp. For eg, my HHR does not have a temp guage but I can scroll thru the DIS display and get the actual temp with 1 degree resolution. Of course if its overheating, I get a temp warning light.
	() Thanks

17th June 2009, 19:38	#22
kannan666 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: KA-02 Posts: 1,002 Thanked: 133 Times View My Garage	Definitely Yes ! All my cars (yes, all are over 14 years old except the Omni ! ) have them and I keep an eye out for them most of the time !
	() Thanks

17th June 2009, 20:01	#25
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,706 Thanked: 22,856 Times View My Garage	The temperature guage is a life saving device for the car. The red LED lights as warning lamps are sometimes not noticed on the dash console.How many of us driive the car with the hand brake engaged and the LED turned on unnoticed? The temperature guage shows a "aanko dekha haal" direct from the water pump. Mind you, even in the socialist days of price controls on cars (till the late 1970's) the temperature guage and fuel meter were the only two meters apart from the speedo on almost all Indian cars as OE. Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 17th June 2009 at 20:03.
	() Thanks

17th June 2009, 20:11	#27
greenhorn BANNED Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,878 Thanked: 4,910 Times View My Garage	how fast the engine heats up is an indicator of which fan ( compressor or engine) fan has died. By the time the engine lights up, it might already be too late. Noticing the speed with which temp gauge goes up will let you know if any of the fans might be kaput, and may inform you in advance to change your driving style to keep your engine cool till you make it to a workshop. So a big Resounding YES! As long as we're talking, I think we need a Voltage, current, and in my case, a boost Gauge!
	() Thanks

17th June 2009, 20:18	#28
Ford Rocam BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai-India Posts: 868 Thanked: 23 Times	I would also recommend manufacturer to add audible alarm, something like Beep Beep along with flashing MIL to get attention of the driver. sometime when you keep on driving we tend to forget to pay attention to instrument cluster & even if the Temp gauge goes to peak "H" we are not aware of it until we see smoke coming out of bonnet. Be it stock or Modified Engine, Oil /water temp along with a audible alarm is a must. It will save your engine from expensive repairs.
	() Thanks

17th June 2009, 20:35	#30
vipul_singh BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: BLR / Lucknow Posts: 604 Thanked: 855 Times View My Garage	Like the others have said: YES, YES, YES Two examples: (1) Using the temp gauge behavior, I once detected that the fan relay on my GTX was not cutting in at the first speed, and only worked at the second speed. Proactively got the relay changed (2) The temp gauge did not come down immediately after switching on the A/C. I immediately understood that there is some problem in the connection to the 4-level pressure switch. Got the connection checked, and saved a lot of frustration on A/C not cooling properly. Somehow the mechanics had screwed up the connection after A/C service. Do I need to say more?
	() Thanks