GREENSBORO, N.C. -- This week temperatures in the Triad are hitting the mid-nineties, but your car could be telling you it's even hotter.
Most cars these days have 2 sensors: one inside and one outside. The sensor that measures outside temperature is typically up behind the bumper, which is near the hot asphalt and the engine. That's why it reads a little higher that what the temperature actually is outside.
Even if it's a little off, you should always be monitoring that gauge. It could tell you if something's wrong with your car.
"Say it's 98 degrees outside and this is reading 212 degrees, which they typically do read over 200 when they do go bad," says mechanic D.J. Shepherd, referring to the exterior sensor. "It's going to keep your inside temperature sensor from reading correctly which is going to keep your compressor from coming on. Therefore you don't have AC when it's this hot outside."
Shepherd, who works at Greensboro Tire & Auto, says sensors are like any electronic device. They could last weeks or they could last years. It all depends on your car. The good news is, they're relatively inexpensive, so if you do have to get it repaired a new part could be about $20. But remember, if your car thermometer is reading unreasonably high you should get it checked out or else you could lose your AC in the heat.
Another thing Shepherd says he sees a lot this time of year are cars just stopped on the road. He says most of the time it's because they don't have enough coolant to prevent the vehicle from overheating. Before you hit the road, especially on a long road trip, top off all your car fluids. Like us, they need to stay hydrated in the heat.