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| I've seen others posts where the outside temperature readout is not accurate. Mine seems to display 10 or so degrees warmer than it really is. Has anybody been able to get the dealership to correct this? |
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The temperature sensor is mounted just ahead of the radiator, so as to give the electronics an idea of the cooling air it can expect.
If you are not moving, the radiator will radiate heat forward and the display will NOT properly measure to exterior ambient temp.
I'd bet that up to a 3 or 4 degree "inaccuracy" is still OK with Acura. I've actually got a calibrated thermocouple that I will use to check the calibration (once I get around to it.)
If you go to the dealer with this type of info (display reading versus calibrated thermocouple reading), you'll probably do much better with a complaint.
Having said this, I'm not sure what they would do...I've not seen anything in the service manual to allow you to correct any offset. Someone told me that you could do this with other "similar" Acura models, but nothing in the MDX has been seen. Perhaps just replace parts?
Ard |
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quote:
Originally posted by jbrychka
I've seen others posts where the outside temperature readout is not accurate. Mine seems to display 10 or so degrees warmer than it really is. Has anybody been able to get the dealership to correct this?
Ard is somewhat right in that the radiator and the condensor are adding radiant heat to the ambient sensor mounted in the nose. This sensor is actually used in the HVAC logic for the electronic climate control and has nothing to do with the "cooling air" available (The engine management system uses an Intake Air Temperature probe in the intake plenum to determine Air temperature for any Mixture adjustments) The fact that it is displayed in the IP cluster is merely for the novelty and reference. Remember, when the vehicle is traveling at any significant velocity, the airflow creates an exagerated cooling effect on the sensor and will indicate a lower than actual ambient temp. Ard was also right in that if in fact an inaccuracy could be proven, no "adjustment" is possible. Your most accurate reading would be at key-up, engine off after the vehicle has sat for many hours and cooled to the surrounding ambient temp. |
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syncivic;
To quibble: the sensor is one of 4 that the Climate control system uses to apportion air flow/AC/etc to control the climate. Perhaps I should have said cooling AND HEATING. To my knowledge that ambient air temperature is not only a "novelty" but determines how the interior of the vehicle will be cooled (or heated). The sensor inputs directly to the CLimate COntrol Unit, which in turn multiplexs the data over to the Nav/or/Multifunction Info Display.
Yes, there is an intake air sensor which in conjunction with a barimetric pressure sensor determines air mass. But this has no bearing on the original post.
Finally, how does moving air cool an inanimate, unheated onbject to a termperture lower than the moving air? (Wind chill only affects warm objects, like mammals, and heated anemometers)
Splittin' hairs,
Ard |
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Here's my question: MDX has front and rear climate control. The salesman said there are two independent A/C systems. I can only locate one compressor and one condensor. Is this a true dual system?
Thanks |
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bobg;
Now, now...you know better than listening to a salesman. Especially when it comes to product info.
The answer is no. Not a "true, independent, dual system" (like my old ^^%$#@#$%^^& Aerostar)
It has one compressor, one condensor, one receiver dryer, then a front AND rear independnt evaporator/blower/heater assembly.
It can act independently. If either calls for AC the compressor kicks in. The other can use the cool, or can independently heat.
Really, no benefit of two compressors. Mopre belts, more parts, etc. As long as the compressor is sized appropriately (and here in Sacramento we will know this summer) it should be fine.
(www.helm.com)
:)
Ard |
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quote:
Originally posted by ardvarkus
syncivic;
To quibble: the sensor is one of 4 that the Climate control system uses to apportion air flow/AC/etc to control the climate. Perhaps I should have said cooling AND HEATING. To my knowledge that ambient air temperature is not only a "novelty" but determines how the interior of the vehicle will be cooled (or heated). The sensor inputs directly to the CLimate COntrol Unit, which in turn multiplexs the data over to the Nav/or/Multifunction Info Display.
Yes, there is an intake air sensor which in conjunction with a barimetric pressure sensor determines air mass. But this has no bearing on the original post.
Finally, how does moving air cool an inanimate, unheated onbject to a termperture lower than the moving air? (Wind chill only affects warm objects, like mammals, and heated anemometers)
Splittin' hairs,
Ard
To split one last hair, the term "novelty" was used in reference as to why the outside temperature is ***DISPLAYED***in the drivers info center....as this display means didly squat to the function of the CCU...agreed??? |
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syn-
Yep- agreed. The display has no bearing on the function of the CCU.
I actually though of the outside display as a novelty, until I started driving it up into the Sierra in the winter. (My Q45 has one, but it has never seen snow.) I pay particular attention to it when the roads are wet and I am climbing. WHen it gets below 33-4, I get much more tentative- I've calibrated mine with a thermocouple and it is high by about a degree. Although the roads hold a bit more heat due to the dark color, plus the sand/junk they put on retards freezing, it is a good indicator for ice.
Ard |
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Brought it home last night!!
I got to drive the MDX home (won't get to drive it much after that - wife got Key Fob #1), while my wife drove the Expy home. The MDX temp reading was w/in 2 degrees of the Expys. Also heard a temp on the radio station (located 30 mile NE of us) that was close to what the MDX said. Through three years of driving the Expy we have found it to be pretty accurate. Will continue to watch the MDXs readings. |
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| So if the temperature reading is wrong on the MDX, does that mean we should pack a change of clothes in the car? I am pretty sure the outside temperature is relatively the same as before I get in my MDX. [img]c:/csd/dnld/laughsmiley.gif[/img] |
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OK, here is what you can do. This applies only to the vehicles with Nav Systems.
Start the car and Press OK on the disclaimer screen. Press and hold the keys in this order: Menu, Map/guide, and Cancel. Continue to hold all three for 5 seconds.
Press Trip Calibrate. You can now change the temperature reading offset and the miles to empty offset. (An interesting note: Mine came with the miles to empty offset set to -20 miles. Thus, it showed 0 when there was actually 20 miles or so left. I suspect that Acura did this to insure that people do not run out of gas. I changed mine.)
Tom
quote:
Originally posted by jbrychka
I've seen others posts where the outside temperature readout is not accurate. Mine seems to display 10 or so degrees warmer than it really is. Has anybody been able to get the dealership to correct this?
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quote:
Originally posted by ardvarkus
Finally, how does moving air cool an inanimate, unheated onbject to a termperture lower than the moving air? (Wind chill only affects warm objects, like mammals, and heated anemometers)
Splittin' hairs,
Ard [/B]
Ard is right. Moving air cannot cool an animate or inanimate object to a temperature colder than the moving air itself. The moving air only affects the heat transfer rate and not the temperature endpoint unless an endothermic chemical reaction takes place (heat is absorbed). Its been 31 years since I took Heat Transfer and I still remember this crap. Bring on the dementia and spare me these esoteric flashbacks! |
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Mogur,
Where did you get this stuff? Is this info in the service manual, or are you some kind of wizard? Thanks for the info.
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Well, my BMW has a nav system and a very similiar setup, and it can be placed in test mode by pressing a similiar combination of buttons (I learned the combination for that one from one of the BMW Mailing Lists) so I made the rash assumption that the same was probably true for the Acura. About 20 minutes after I started, I found the combination. Voila! It may also be in the service manual, but I don't yet have one at my disposal.
quote:
Originally posted by KK
Mogur,
Where did you get this stuff? Is this info in the service manual, or are you some kind of wizard? Thanks for the info.
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| Mogur, this service menu is too cool! |
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Tom- Good work.
It is NOT in the service manual.
here is how to calibrate a non-nav:
Non-Nav:
1. Turn on display
2. Press CLOCK plus RESET together for 5 seconds. It will enter a calibration mode
3. The value which will be changed will blink. First the temp offest will blink, pressing TRIP will toggleto the Range Offset. Press TRIP again and you are out of the calibration mode.
4. There are two values which can be adjusted: a RANGE Offset and a TEMP offset. The MODE and A/C button will adjust down and up (- and +) respectively.
Like the NAV, the car comes with a -20 mile range offset. This is why when you fill up you always have plenty of gas in the tank. It can be adjusted in 10 mile increments.
For the temp offset, be careful. Static measurements can be affected by the engine/radiator. Don't use the weatherman's temp. Be especially careful if you use the temp to detect road icing. better to err on the low side.
Ard
PS Credit to Tom (mogur). Once you found the Nav's mode, it was logical that the non-Nav would have one. |
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| Manatee |
| My outside temperature reading says 42. It is actually about 63-66. Any ideas on how to adjust. BTW, what a great site. Thanks to everyone who has shared their info! |
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| MaD-X |
| how useful is it? I've been thinking about getting one since my 7500 mile service is coming up. What kind of info does it have and how detailed is it? Think it was www.helminc.com that carried them. Thanks. |
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| ardvarkus |
Manatee-
I'd bring it in to a dealership- That is not the kind of difference that needs 'adjusting'. It needs 'replacing'....
Mad-
I won't own a car without a service manual- if only to tell the dealership what to do and how to do it right. (For example, the manual requires replacement of both disposable washers on the VTM when the fluid is changed- NO dealerships I've talked to replace both- some replace the drain but none replace the fill...) Minor stuff, but if you start 'quoting the book' don't you think the service writer might put a little note on the paperwork?
Plus, it tells you how to take everything apart!
Ard |
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| Manatee |
| Thanks ardvarkus! When I left work last night it was working as well as today. I'll keep an eye on it. It needs the 15,000 mile service soon. |
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