Where is my temperature gauge?

In most passenger cars, the temperature gauge is located in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, usually near the speedometer and tachometer. It typically shows engine coolant temperature with a needle on a C–H scale or as a digital readout. In newer or luxury models, or electric vehicles, the gauge may appear as a digital readout or be displayed in the infotainment system rather than as a traditional dial.

Common locations in everyday cars

Here are the typical places you’ll find the temperature gauge on most vehicles.

• In the instrument cluster directly behind the steering wheel, alongside the tachometer and speedometer.


• Within a digital or partially digital instrument panel, where a temperature readout or thermometer icon may appear.


• On the center dash or driver information display in newer models, sometimes within a vehicle status menu.


• In motorcycles and some scooters, on the handlebar-mounted cluster near the speedometer.


• In electric vehicles and some hybrids, there may be a separate display for coolant temperature and/or battery or motor temperature rather than a traditional engine gauge.

If you’re unsure about your model, check the owner’s manual or the vehicle’s onboard help/infotainment system for the exact location.

What to do if you can't locate it

If you can’t find a temperature gauge on your dash, try these steps to locate or access the information you need.

• Consult the owner’s manual for diagrams showing instrument cluster layouts and available readouts.


• Look for a small thermometer icon or the words “coolant temperature” in the instrument cluster or digital display.


• Use the vehicle’s infotainment or trip/computer menu to display engine coolant temperature or engine status (some cars let you cycle through readouts).


• Check fuses related to the instrument cluster if a display is missing or malfunctioning.


• If the gauge remains absent or you suspect a problem, have a dealer or qualified mechanic diagnose the instrument cluster or sensors.

Knowing where to find the gauge helps you monitor engine health, especially in hot weather or when an overheating warning appears.

Gauge types by vehicle category

Gasoline and diesel cars

In traditional internal-combustion engine vehicles, the coolant temperature gauge shows engine temperature and typically climbs from cold toward a normal operating range (often around 90–100°C when fully warmed). If the needle stays at cold after several minutes, the thermostat or coolant temperature sensor may be malfunctioning. If it suddenly spikes toward hot, pull over safely and stop driving to prevent damage.

Hybrid vehicles

Hybrids commonly display engine coolant temperature as well as battery temperature. Some models show a combined dashboard readout, while others separate engine and battery status across multiple readouts. The gauge behavior generally mirrors conventional engines for the coolant temperature, with additional indicators for battery health or temperature in the display.

Electric vehicles

Electric vehicles usually emphasize battery temperature and motor temperature rather than engine coolant. You may see a battery temperature gauge or a thermal status indicator in the instrument cluster or infotainment system. Since EVs don’t have a traditional combustion engine, there is no standard “engine temperature” gauge, but it’s still important to monitor thermal health for performance and longevity.

Summary

Most cars place the temperature gauge in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, either as an analog dial or a digital readout. Modern vehicles and electric cars may present this information through a digital display or within the infotainment system rather than a traditional needle. If you can’t locate it, consult the owner's manual or the vehicle’s display menus, and consider visiting a dealer if you suspect a faulty sensor or instrument cluster. Understanding where the gauge is and how it behaves helps you monitor engine health and prevent overheating.

Does your phone have a temperature gauge?

No, a typical smartphone cannot measure the ambient temperature accurately on its own because it lacks an external thermometer sensor; the internal sensors are for the phone's components, not the surrounding air. To get an accurate temperature, you can use a connected weather station, a thermal camera attachment, or a smartphone with a built-in thermal camera. While some apps claim to use internal sensors for ambient temperature, the readings are usually inaccurate and unreliable because the phone's own heat affects them. 
Methods for measuring temperature with your phone

• Use a connected weather station: Some external weather stations can connect to your phone to provide accurate readings for temperature, humidity, and other metrics. 
• Use a phone with a thermal camera: Some specialized phones, like certain models from Blackview, include a built-in thermal camera that can measure the temperature of objects and surfaces. 
• Use a separate sensor: You can purchase a separate, small thermometer that connects to your phone for accurate measurements, notes faun.pub. 
• Use a weather app: For a general estimate, you can use a weather app. These apps use your phone's location to provide the current temperature from local weather stations, not from your phone's internal sensors. 

Why your phone's internal sensors can't measure ambient temperature

• Designed for internal monitoring: Your phone's temperature sensors are designed to monitor the temperature of internal components like the battery and processor to prevent overheating. 
• Influenced by the phone's heat: The heat generated by your phone's internal components would significantly skew any attempt to measure the external environment. 
• Lack of an external sensor: Most phones are not equipped with an external sensor designed to measure ambient air temperature. 

Where is the car thermometer?

The outside thermometer is usually a sensor located near the front bumper, behind the grill, or under a side mirror. This placement allows it to measure the incoming air, but the reading can be higher than the actual air temperature due to heat radiating from the road. The dashboard's engine temperature gauge, however, is a separate dial that indicates your engine's coolant temperature, not the outside air temperature. 
This video explains how a car's outside temperature sensor works: 52sWBIR Channel 10YouTube · Jul 12, 2024
Outside air temperature sensor (thermistor)

• Location: Typically behind the front grille, low down near the bumper, or under one of the side mirrors. 
• Function: Measures the ambient air temperature to help with your climate control and is often used by the car's computer. 
• Why it can be inaccurate: It's close to the hot pavement, so its reading can be higher than the actual air temperature, especially on sunny days. 

This video explains why a car's outside temperature reading can be inaccurate: 59sBrad Panovich (wxbrad)YouTube · May 17, 2017
Engine temperature gauge

• Location: On the car's dashboard, often near the speedometer. 
• Function: A dial with "C" (cold) and "H" (hot) that shows the temperature of the engine's coolant, not the outside air. 
• Purpose: Helps you monitor if your engine is running too hot and could be overheating. 

How do I check my temperature gauge?

To test a temperature gauge, disconnect the sending unit wire and ground it to the engine block. If the gauge moves to "full hot," the sending unit and wiring are likely good, and the problem is the sender. If the gauge doesn't move, the issue is with the wiring or the gauge itself. To test the gauge directly, move the wire to ground and see if the gauge pegs to full hot; if it does, the problem is likely a bad sender or wiring. To test the sender, disconnect its wire and measure the resistance with a multimeter, comparing the reading to the specifications in your vehicle's service manual.
 
Testing the gauge and wiring
This video shows how to test the temperature gauge and wiring: 1mAmerican AutowireYouTube · Apr 27, 2016

1. Turn off the vehicle and disconnect the sender wire. Locate the temperature sending unit on the engine, and unplug the wire connector from it. 
2. Ground the sender wire. Use a jumper wire or alligator clip to connect the detached sender wire to a clean, bare metal part of the engine block or the negative battery terminal. 
3. Turn the ignition on. Watch the temperature gauge. It should move to the full hot position. 
4. Interpret the results:
   • If the gauge moves to full hot: The gauge and the circuit to the gauge are working. The problem is likely with the sending unit itself. 
   • If the gauge does not move: The issue is either with the wiring between the sender and the gauge or with the gauge itself. 

Testing the sending unit
You can watch this video to learn how to test the sending unit: 54sJackstand LegendYouTube · May 8, 2020

1. Disconnect the sending unit wire: as described above. 
2. Connect a multimeter: set to measure resistance (Ohms) to the sending unit wire and the sender's body (which should be grounded to the engine). 
3. Take a reading. The resistance should change depending on the engine's temperature. 
4. Compare the reading to specifications. Check your vehicle's service manual for the expected resistance values at different temperatures. For example, a cold engine will have a higher resistance than a hot engine. 
5. Replace if faulty. If the resistance reading is static or doesn't match the manufacturer's specifications, the sending unit is likely faulty and needs to be replaced. 

Testing the gauge directly
This video demonstrates how to test the temperature gauge directly: 1mPower Addicts - FixJeepsYouTube · Mar 9, 2020

1. Disconnect the sender wire: from the back of the gauge cluster. 
2. With the ignition on, momentarily touch the sender wire terminal on the gauge to a ground point . 
3. Check the gauge's movement. The needle should sweep to full hot. 
4. Interpret the results:
   • If the gauge moves: The gauge is working. The problem is with the sending unit or the wiring from the gauge to the sender. 
   • If the gauge does not move: The gauge is faulty and needs to be replaced. 

Where is my temperature gauge located?

Most cars have a temperature gauge located right on the dashboard, often near the speedometer and fuel gauge. It typically looks like a small dial with a “C” for cold on one end, an “H” for hot on the other, and a needle pointing somewhere in between.