Temperature Display

The driver information display applies voltage to the ambient air temperature sensor. The ambient air temperature sensor is a thermistor; as temperature increases its resistance decreases and as temperature decreases its resistance increases. As the resistance of the ambient air temperature sensor increases, the driver information display senses a larger voltage drop across the ambient air temperature sensor, indicating a lower temperature. As the resistance of the ambient air temperature sensor decreases, the driver information display senses a smaller voltage drop across the ambient air temperature sensor, indicating a higher temperature. If the temperature is below 38°F (3°C) the temperature digits will toggle between displaying the outside temperature and the word ICE for 2 minutes. This condition will occur once per ignition cycle.

The driver information display uses the vehicle speed signal from the powertrain control module to determine when to update the temperature display with a new outside air temperature reading. The vehicle must be driven over 16 km/h (10 mph) before the temperature display will be updated. For more information on temperature display operation, refer to Electronic Compass.