This is Why Cars Should Have a Temperature Gauge!

Ever since 2014, I have seen some newer cars not have one, and that has to be one of the worst ideas ever.
Today I took a drive with the 1998 Honda and noticed the temperature gauge in this car was fluctuating. Pay attention to your gauges, they are there for a reason!

[@dynatrak]

I had a friend with a 1989 Honda Accord. He stopped by the house, and as I was walking with him to check out the car, I noticed coolant was pouring out. I suggested he stay, and we could swap out the radiator, when it cools off. No, no! He had to get going, and later on that night, he destroyed his engine. All vehicles in my fleet have temperature gauges, and I do pay attention to them. Glad you do, too! What a mess that coolant made. Looks to be a simple job to change that radiator out on the "98.

[@Sharkie626]

Ugh, if only he had listened to you....or at least topped it up Maybe would have safely gotten him home. Yeah it wasn't all too bad. Did top it up, and drove it to the service place, temperature was normal all the way. Got a new radiator and hoses, and still running great!

[@DylBuilder1]

Totally agree! The temp gauge is very important to have on any vehicle, no matter the size. There's really no excuse for skimping on it, just about every gauge cluster has one/has room for one. Can be especially useful when you get in a small accident or something and still need to get home, paying attention to that gauge can really save you if you know when to pull over and let it cool off. One thing I did notice, is on our '15 F150 it has not only the coolant temp and fuel, but also the transmission temp and oil pressure. All good, but i've always thought that the oil pressure gauge is fake or more of just a on/off type thing on ford SUVs/Trucks that do have it because no matter what, it ALWAYS flicks right to a little past halfway as soon as the vehicle turns over. I've never seen mine fluctuate at all, despite the L/H markings. It seems to just tell you if you even have oil pressure in the first place lol

[@Sharkie626]

Right? It's like why would you ever NOT want to know how the temperature is?? Oh yeah I have seen those oil pressure gauges before. I think if the gauge has numbers, then it is a "real" oil pressure gauge. I always wish my car had one, but I am ALWAYS on top of oil changes, and level checks, so it's probably the best protection my engine can get.

[@MitchGrooms]

You are SO RIGHT, I have a car channel and i have been saying this too. I have Jags mostly and the Temperature gauge stays in the center which it really is not accurate and if and when the car does over heat, it will be too late because the needle will probably jump very quickly and reacting to late and at that point, the engine is toast.. They need to have the accurate NUMBER reading..

[@Sharkie626]

For sure, it is so important to have! It might still be accurate. My own car did the same thing. Usually stays just below center, but when I had low coolant, it calmly went above and then back down, so it did detect very "mechanically" for lack of a better term.

[@toyota-eh3ub]

Interesting you had this happen as I just had to have the radiator replaced in the 2003 4Runner about a week ago. Thankfully I didn’t find that out as a result of it getting too hot, went to check the washer fluid and noticed the coolant reservoir, which is right next to the washer fluid, was almost empty. Just figured I let it get too low, so I refilled it. I decided to take a look and check about 4 days later to find the level in the reservoir down to the “L” mark. Started looking for leaks the next day and found one of the plastic parts on the side of the radiator cracked and slowly leaking. I’m very glad it didn’t overheat and that it has a gauge for me to tell. Hopefully all goes well getting the Honda fixed! It looks really nice!

[@Sharkie626]

Yeah funny how that all works out huh? Haha. Yep! The car has since got a new radiator and thermostat. Running perfectly!

[@toyota-eh3ub]

I’m glad to hear all is well with it after being fixed! I’ve always liked those Honda V6s, probably my favorite engine after the Toyota V6.

[@blackericdenice]

A lot of drivers don’t pay attention to the temp gauge. I have a 2004 Trailblazer and it tell you to check gauges. This is the reason I hate old American cars. Fuel gauge and speedometer was all they had.

[@Sharkie626]

Yeah, who thought it should be that limited was not too smart. You're right though, gauges are only as good as those who actually check them.

[@AlexLopez-pk3ix]

Dude if a car ever gets at 3/4 pull over could turn a 10 dollar repair into a 1k repair in sec you got lucky

[@Sharkie626]

Oh I pretty much did, it happened when the car was pretty much at the driveway, so I'd say it was there for at most, 30 seconds.

[@KA9DSL]

Can't agree with you enough. Couldn't drive a car without one.

[@Sharkie626]

Likewise! It's one of the most important parts! Whoever thought it was a good idea to not put one in, was just not thinking right.

[@ctrlaltdel02]

For average driver only speed, and fuel gages is relevant, all other is black magic to them. Ok, for manual transmission RPM gage is relevant too.

[@Sharkie626]

Sadly that is all too true. I know of people who hardly ever check them. I always give them a quick check all the time!

[@tallboyyyy]

I had the almost same problem with my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 earlier this summer. I don't usually drive it but took it to work one day. All was fine on the way to work. When I was coming home I noticed that my temp gauge that normally runs around 200 was up to 260 and climbing. I pulled over and shut it off right away. I opened up the hood and found the top radiator hose cold and the radiator was cold too. I was thinking maybe the thermostat was frozen shut and not allowing coolant to flow. So I sat on the side of the road for about 10 minutes letting it cool then started off again. My drive is only 5 miles and I first pulled over at about the half way point. I drove for a little bit and the heat went up again so I stopped again. It took me about 3 or 4 short hops to get it home. I parked it and let it cool off completely before I started looking into what was going wrong. My overflow bottle leaks so that is never an indicator of anything but I took the cap off the radiator and it only ended up being that my coolant was low. It had been a while since I had checked it but once I topped it up it's been fine since and no damage done to the engine. The big test was towing my boat 100 miles across the state a few weeks ago with no issues.

[@Sharkie626]

Aw man yeah I can see how that would be annoying for sure, does sound like a stuck-closed thermostat. I know a fan problem is usually told by when the gauge gets high when stopped and then goes normal when moving. At least you were able to get to where you needed to be still.

[@EskieWolf]

YES!!!! Last car I had that didn't have a temperature gauge was my '89 Country Squire. No temp gauge and the ONLY indication of there being a problem was the Engine light! Thankfully it was only a popped lower radiator hose, but that's not the point! Temp gauged NEED to be STANDARD!!! On a side note; My '91 Chevy truck as well as my Husband's '09 VW Jetta both have analog temp gauges.

[@Sharkie626]

I guess cars as such were more common than I thought. Yeah they should be a standard for sure. How ANYONE thinks not knowing how the engine temperature is, is a good idea, then they are just crazy. Glad ya got the analog ones going!

[@MinecraftPro97k]

I agree with you in all extents, but at the same time, I am shocked about this info, normal operating temperatures are between 180°f and 195°f (always stays in the middle on the temperature guage) and costly failures can happen between 240°f and 250°f (the red/H zone) and being stranded with a seized engine is not a good thing at all... Also, it's not good to start driving when the engine is too cold, since the viscosity of the oil depends on the engine temperature, The oil needs to lubricate critical components at the top. Not to mention you won't have heat until the engine reaches ideal temperatures. (i can do without heat just fine) but for someone that can't stand the cold, running the heater, only to be blasted with cold air would SUCK!!! So we all deserve an analog temperature guage. Not only the temperature guage and fuel guage should stay analog, but the tachometer is also important, but I will let you speak about this term.

[@Sharkie626]

Yeah those temperature stages sound about right. Luckily the gauge never got to H, but it did at one point start getting about 3/4 of the way up (when I got to the driveway), so I immediately shut it off when I got up there and go the hood open so the heat could dissipate, and that's when I found the radiator crack. Oh yeah I never start driving when the engine is freezing cold. I usually let the RPM get down to about 1,250 before I start going. That's usually where the engine is "cold" while it's warm outside, so I figure it's a safe time to start going. Today before going to the service place, I topped up the radiator, squeezed the hoses a little to get out as many air bubbles as I could, topped it up again, also put some in the overflow container, started it up, and got on my way. Also had the A/C off, and the heat on full blast just in case. By the time I got there, the temperature gauge was still all good and normal, so it did hold perfectly for the trip there. Oh yeah, ALL gauges should be analog, and all cars should have a tach! I remember some cars in the 90s and early 2000s not even having that. Luckily that seems to be a lot less common now.

[@MinecraftPro97k]

@@Sharkie626 There are a TON of exceptions these days when it comes to a lack of tachometers. I encountered a Jeep Compass (fiat car with jeep badging) with a manual transmission, which manuals should ALWAYS have a tachometer, but the Jeep Compass didn't have it...

[@dionlawler5515]

The coolant temp sensor only works when coolant touches it, if it low it will only read the air temp which is always lower, something to keep in mind

[@Sharkie626]

Oh yeah that I certainly do know. Though usually the gauge will get way high due to less coolant before it just drops off due to none.

[@jaykay18]

Cars not coming with temperature gauges anymore? Oh, that's OK, cars are completely disposable these days. One scratch, totaled. Funny enough, I have dealt with 2 cars that were older that did not have temperature gauges. My old Chevy, and the wif's old Cavalier. I blew a lower radiator hose once many years ago. I was at a red light, once it went green and I went to go, it burst. I barely made it 3 more blocks. Temp light never came on, but I knew what was happening. I could FEEL it in the engine. The Cavalier's light did come on once. Summer, we were driving, and the light came on. No indication the engine was hotter than normal. Pulled off to the side, heat on full blast. Radiator fan is running just fine. Let it cool for a half hour, light was out. Back on within 5 minutes of driving. Not low on coolant. Radiator was not leaking. Fan was running. Water pump was working. The problem and solution? Just keep on driving it. Light went out when it felt like it, never came on again. Did it get THAT hot? Was that really too hot, or was it a warning that it's going to be up in the danger zone soon? No idea. Ironically, the radiator fan did fail on that car sometime later on. My late father in law and I replaced it, and it was fall. We started the car and let it run for about 20 minutes to make sure the fan came on, which it did. Never saw the light again on that car. Also never saw it on mine, and I know the bulb worked on both cars because it would illuminate while cranking. As far as the radiator goes, you can replace it yourself. Easy peasy. Did 2 of them myself. Great learning experience and not a bad job. Save a fortune as well, you can get the radiator delivered right to your door. But look at that--right on cue, it's Octember!

[@Sharkie626]

Nah, you just turn them on and they're done! Oh those cars didn't have one either? Ugh, well I guess it was less common then. I remember the radiator hose story! Good that you able to get it back though! Yeah as much as I like oil pressure gauges too, temperature and fuel are probably THE most two important ones. Like "Yeah sorry, you can't know how hot your engine is." Well those people can go do themselves in an electrical closet. Yeah the radiator doesn't look too bad, but I know my dad just wants to get it done and over with at the place.

[@MinecraftPro97k]

A Cavalier, eh? Those things are trash, but at least it wasn't a Cobalt or a Cruze. In my family, we call the Chevrolet Cruze "the Chevy Luze" as in "you lose"

[@seana806]

Honestly, cars are getting worse and worse as time marches on. KZbin user Ford Tech Makuloco had to replace the taillights on a 2018 Ford F150 Limited, you’d think it would only be about a $400 to $500 repair, nope. Ended up costing $5600 just to replace the taillights since they have all kinds of sensors built into them and communicate with other modules inside the vehicle. To add insult to injury, some car headlights cost over $1000 a piece, some are $2300 a piece like on the one Alfa Romeo Scotty Kilmer uploaded a few weeks ago. If the head gasket happens to fail as well, that’ll be another $4000. If all 3 failures like that happened at once, it’ll be $11,600. Too much to put into a vehicle that’s fairly new. Hell, I can pretty much restore the one 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 4 door hardtop I plan on picking up one day with a trusty 289 in it.

[@Sharkie626]

Oh yeah I hear you. Remember when I had my water pump replaced in 2018, only to have it start leaking 3 years later? That made me quite mad. I cannot stand all these sensors for cars either. Just an expensive break waiting to happen. Definitely trying to hold on to my car for as long as I can.

[@seana806]

@@Sharkie626 most water pumps on modern vehicles either last for the life of the vehicle or give up the ghost every couple of years. Makes it more of a pain since almost all cars are front wheel drive as opposed to rear wheel drive where everything is just about accessible on the front of the engine. The thing most people don’t understand is if you want a car or engine to be reliable, it’s got to be as simple as possible. They may not be the most efficient in the world but will just keep running like a Whirlpool direct drive, may need to have the points re-gapped and cleaned every few years sometimes replaced, or the carburetor rebuilt once in awhile but those are simple repairs that can easily be done at home with basic tools.

[@neelrivera2010]

very right.

[@Sharkie626]

Definitely!

[@saturnevan]

Really good timing on this video since I had just recently had a radiator replaced and the hose had a hole in it for my 02' Buick Century. To your point on "digical" gauges, if it just then gets hot and the "hot light" goes on, the problem in that scenario is that you get no notice whatsoever that the temp. is overheating. Digital certainly doesn't have to be the answer to everything.

[@Sharkie626]

Exactly, the analog gauges will show you things so much more accurately than digital ever will!

[@GoBigAutoDetailing]

did you clay and decon before you waxed your car?

[@Sharkie626]

I guess that would be a no, because, what does that mean? Heh

[@GoBigAutoDetailing]

@@Sharkie626 its a deep cleaning of the painting surface, wash your car, use a strip wash and run your finger tips along the surface bet you'll find a few spots were its not smooth, when you feel that clay the vehicle which brings up alot of the stuck on contaminants that the regular wash won't get out, the iron decon will will remove anything further the clay bar couldn't remove.Things like rail dust etc.

[@GoBigAutoDetailing]

Think about your face when it comes to automotive paint, Just washing your face with soap and then applying lotion on a.k.a. wax haha. clay bar and decon is like exfoliating your face before you put on conditioner etc. a.k.a wax, sealant, ceramic coatings.

[@denverbasshead]

My 2020 F250 has a temp gauge

[@Sharkie626]

That's good! Seems like they are included more regularly now which is nice.

[@hippo780]

The problem is you, youre not keeping up with maintenance lol, dont blame it on the temperature gauge smh lol

[@Sharkie626]

Where did I say the temperature gauge was the problem, and I don't think proper maintenance prevents radiator plastic from eventually cracking.

[@hippo780]

@@Sharkie626 you dont wait for parts to break, you replace them even if they are still functional, that happened because you waited for it to BREAK and LEAK LOL

[@hippo780]

@@Sharkie626 how long do you think Radiators last, 100K miles? 9 yrs of driving, 10 yrs of driving who knows, they can break anytime after so many yrs of driving. If you wait for parts to break, well youre asking for it LOL

[@Sharkie626]

@@hippo780 That car is not mine, it's my dad's, so yeah, I don't check it regularly. My car I do, I check under the hood about once a week actually. That being said, Most radiators show no signs of breaking, until suddenly they do, and there was no coolant on the driveway either. The only hint I had that something was not right, was the temperature gauge. If it wasn't there, I probably would have found out the hard way.

[@DylBuilder1]

Yes, radiators do last 100k lol. That's just the break in period for a lot of cars!

[@lloydballard7051]

Agree, however the lack of temp gauges in newer cars is compensated by electronics that will give you some form of warning. Perhaps a digital warning or rpm drop to "limp home" mode. Many people do not even look at their gauges (nor check their oil). A problem with depending on that gauge is that the temperature gauge is dependent on the engine having coolant to measure. When you spring a coolant leak, the coolant could go below the sender level and then read cool. I kissed a Mercedes diesel engine (and car) goodbye because I forgot to replace the radiator cap. So while driving the coolant boiled out. Only way I knew that was because the temp gauge kept reading much too cool. So I stopped at a rest stop and stupidly added cold water. Cracked the block!!! MB had the dignity to let me drive to my destination whereupon I junked the car. Moral of the story do not put cold water in hot engines and a cool reading on a gauge can be as bad as the hot reading. Meaning you have lost coolant.

[@Sharkie626]

I still would trust an analog gauge over those electronics any day. The gauge is always visible and showing you what the temperature is all the time, there's no reason for it not show that all the time. Oh believe me I know all too well about those who never look at their gauges. I had a friend who one time apparently drove his car with the gauge pegged on H, never looked at it, engine seized. Needless to say, that was a costly fix. I could be wrong, but I think the cooling system is designed where the coolant would have to get dangerously low before there won't be any to register for the gauge, even for a missing cap, and by that point, the gauge would most likely have been on H for a while anyway. I'll probably do a follow-up video, but when I topped up the radiator and such, it took at least half the bottle, so with that much missing, it still definitely registered. Ooooo yeah, I learned long ago to never add cold water to a hot engine as it can caused what you experienced. Sorry the lesson was the hard way, but at least you know not to do it in the future!