Today was a hot day out but didn't seem to affect my car much. Did just a little driving back n forth here n there, but wondering if anybody can tell me if my temp gauge is in about the right place? My previous car's temp needle was always pretty low. Ambient temp here today was about 90. This is after driving a few miles and sitting at a couple stoplights.
Does this look about right ??
97 M3 Sedan, Cosmos Blk, Active Autowerks Intake & Exhaust
Computer and HDTV Repair, Residential & Commercial Networking
http://www.broadviewtech.com/
Normal
+1
Thanks man,
Also another question for the next passer by... what conditions is the computer waiting for that tells it to lock the doors after I start driving? Sometimes they lock at 30mph other times I hit 40mph... is it a percentage of open throttle that does it? Or what?
97 M3 Sedan, Cosmos Blk, Active Autowerks Intake & Exhaust
Computer and HDTV Repair, Residential & Commercial Networking
http://www.broadviewtech.com/
???
The stock temp gauge tells you nothing. Well, almost nothing. If it starts to move up, it's time to pull over, that's what it tells you. It doesn't start moving till 230+ which is already hot.
I've owned 2 BMW's... '00 328ci and my current e36 m3... none of which ever locked the doors by themselves. Never seen that feature in a BMW...
However, both my cars were coupes, so I don't know if this is possibly a sedan feature? Wait, my brother's old e46 sedan never did that either.. I know Pontiacs do
Should be dead center.
Yep, normal. Most oil pressure and coolant temp "gauges" nowadays aren't really gauges... they're basically idiot lights that look like gauges. The only time they move is if something goes outside operating parameters and then it's usually too late. Seems like most cars have gone to stuff like this because the general public doesn't understand the details of how engines work. They don't understand that fluid temps and pressures fluctuate quite a bit during normal operation, so rather than grasping what's being monitored the first thing many people do when they see unstable gauge needles is worry that something's horribly wrong. I'm sure dealers got tired of explaining why oil pressure is higher when the engine is cold, or why coolant temp readings go up & down as the thermostat opens & closes. It's easier to use a gauge face so everyone gets the cool/techy airplane cockpit look but then buffer the hell out of it so the readings stay steady. As long as you're in the middle you should be ok.
I think its slightly tilted right instead of dead center. I've never seen it go beyond that, but I guess since I have doubts I should change it and peer inside the radiator to look for buildup / corrosion etc... Guess now would be the time to do that before I end up stuck somewhere. lol. It's getting upwards of 90deg outside these days.
Thanks for everybody's help!
And the doors locking part... guess I could call a stealership and ask about that. Maybe there's something up with the computer in it? The doors lock every single time I start driving, so I don't think it's a fluke... I just can't figure out what the condition is that trips the doors to lock. They never unlock by themselves... so... I dunno'??
Looks like it's a feature programmed to the key? I thought they were just like RFID tags... no memory but just a serial # in them?
Er... wait no... if that were true how could they ask if I wanted a valet key or anything. Must be some memory in them.
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/archi.../t-164745.html
Last edited by blakdeth77; 06-22-2010 at 11:15 PM. Reason: added link
97 M3 Sedan, Cosmos Blk, Active Autowerks Intake & Exhaust
Computer and HDTV Repair, Residential & Commercial Networking
http://www.broadviewtech.com/
^Check your trunk wires for any breaks.
97 M3 Sedan, Cosmos Blk, Active Autowerks Intake & Exhaust
Computer and HDTV Repair, Residential & Commercial Networking
http://www.broadviewtech.com/
YEp, right where it is
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