One month into ownership of my supercab, I've noticed that when getting in the truck, starting it up, the outside temperature display reads anywhere between 80 and 85 degrees.

Now, I'm in Alabama. The past two weeks have hovered around the 100 degree mark. No way is the reading of 80 degrees accurate.

By chance, doe the outside temp display not reflect accurately until the ignition is turned on? I wouldn't think so. After driving about 10 to 12 minutes, I do then see the temperature creeping up. After about 15 minutes, it apparently reads correctly (based on what temperature my cell phone reads).

Is this normal? My wife's old Explorer never did this. And - I do use a windshield screen when parked, but I wouldn't think that would affect the reading of the outside sensor.

A minor issue, I know. But with a new vehicle, I'd sort of like everything to work as it's supposed to. It's at the dealers today, having my fuel relay sensor checked, and also mentioned the temperature display as well.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

I'm guessing the display is not 100% dynamic but a rolling average over 10-15 minutes.
Just a wag.

 

its probably averaged, i know my truck reads high when parked in the sun all day, then cools off to normal temp once im moving

 

I live just south of Birmingham, I know what you mean about HOT.
I did an experiment just now. I went out at 11AM and truck read 93 degrees when I pulled back into the basement garage. At 4PM, still inside the basement where it is 76, I turned on the key and it reads 93. My theory is it retains the last reading when it was running. When you crank it up, the reading adjusts, a degree at a time over the next 5-15 min. Nothing is wrong.

 

This would be my theory as well. I don't think it is an instant reading.

 

Mine does that too.

 

Another one here with the same; no issue.

 

Mine takes a few minutes after getting going and turning on the truck to reflect the currect temp. I don't know if its an old cache of the temp when I turned the vehicle on, or if the temp is registering higher / lower because I'm sitting in the sun or anything.

But I do know that when we get storm fronts to come through that the temp drops fast. If I'm driving when that happens, you can watch the display drop very quickly (I've seen it go down 15*+ in just a few minutes).

 

I noticed this too. Mine takes about 10+ minutes at least before it's accurate.

I consider this to be a defect. No where else have I had to WAIT ten minutes to get a ambient temperature reading. $1.99 Walmart China made one are faster.

 

In every vehicle that I have ever driven or rode in and took notice of the temperature gauge, you have to wait 5-15 mins before the reading is accurate. It's never really bothered me though *shrug*

 

If thats the only complaint on the truck then your doing pretty good.

 

Please forgive the noob post here.. This is an irritating "feature" of my new F-150. Is there any known way to get a faster update to the temperature display on the dash. I'd hate to think that my new truck can be bested by a 60 year old mercury thermometer.

 

It is normal, or at least mine does this also. It is 105 here and it will read 80-85 for several minutes. My Mustang does NOT do this, even though the displays appear to be identical. Maybe it is the sensor?

For what is worth, sometimes my wife's 2010 300C display does this as well.

 

Aren't you the same guy who said his fuel gauge is broken too? Maybe you could take the truck into the dealer and force them to replace all the components for the fuel gauge system and outside thermometer.

Sounds like either you got a lemon or are super picky about things.

- NCSU