How accurate are factory temp gauges?

[TheOtherLeft]

I'm wondering if factory (OEM) temp gauges are accurate enough for general use? Is it worth installing an aftermarket temp gauge instead?

[chimpboy]

IMHO they are usually fine for normal use, but not "accurate" in the sense of telling you to the nearest degree what the actual temperature is. They are accurate in the sense of telling you whether you are in a safe operating range or not.

AFAIK some at least have good resolution only in the "normal" range or close to it, and simply go to an extreme reading outside that. In other words it will tell you you're overheating but not by how much.

There are other gauges I would probably look at upgrading first. For example, I would rather have oil pressure than just an oil light, things like that.

[oldmate]

Factory gauges are fine for ordinary use.

Personally I'd rather an oil light than a gauge. Oil pressure isn't something I need to know when driving. And a lit light attracts more attention than the gauge.
I once forgot to reconnect the oil pressure plug on my 80, and i drove around for a few days with the oil pressure gauge reading 0. Too bad if there actually was a problem.

[TheOtherLeft]

Factory gauges are fine for ordinary use.

Personally I'd rather an oil light than a gauge. Oil pressure isn't something I need to know when driving. And a lit light attracts more attention than the gauge.
I once forgot to reconnect the oil pressure plug on my 80, and i drove around for a few days with the oil pressure gauge reading 0. Too bad if there actually was a problem.

Wouldn't most ECU's measure the oil pressure and flash the CHeck Engine light if there's a drop in pressure?

[lay80n]

Factory gauges are fine for ordinary use.

Personally I'd rather an oil light than a gauge. Oil pressure isn't something I need to know when driving. And a lit light attracts more attention than the gauge.
I once forgot to reconnect the oil pressure plug on my 80, and i drove around for a few days with the oil pressure gauge reading 0. Too bad if there actually was a problem.

Wouldn't most ECU's measure the oil pressure and flash the CHeck Engine light if there's a drop in pressure?

No, apart from fairly new or expensive cars most ECU's dont moitor oil pressre.


Layto....

[pridhac]

Toyota temperature gauges are shit. On my TD 80 series I use a VDO EGT and Watchdog thingo for coolant temp. The factory gauge doesnt move at all between about 55 and 105 degrees coolant temp, then at 108 all of sudden it goes to the top (red). Designed flat spots are all well and good I guess, but seem pointless if they dont move until it's too late.

[tweak'e]

I'm wondering if factory (OEM) temp gauges are accurate enough for general use? Is it worth installing an aftermarket temp gauge instead?

depends on model a bit. some are absolutely crap. combine that with a weak head etc its really easy to overheat and blow the motor.
most are idiot proof so the normal up/down in temp doesn't scare the driver. however that can make them slow to react if a fault happens.
if you have an engine prone to cracking heads etc then i would fit an aftermarket gauge.

[V8Patrol]

Is it worth installing an aftermarket temp gauge instead?

YES



the std guage really reads....

*just started and warming up
*driving normal temps
* opps ....engines phucked

[stuee]

Is it worth installing an aftermarket temp gauge instead?

YES



the std guage really reads....

*just started and warming up
*driving normal temps
* opps ....engines phucked

Agree with this. Value for money I find VDO is pretty good with a reasonable reputation to boot.

[dogbreath_48]

Value for money I find VDO is pretty good with a reasonable reputation to boot.

x2

With VDO, you're not paying for extra bling and window stickers.

[MICK77]

Is it worth installing an aftermarket temp gauge instead?

YES



the std guage really reads....

*just started and warming up
*driving normal temps
* opps ....engines phucked

Never in the whole history of the world has there ever been a statement more true than the above.

Cheers,

Micko