Re: Yaris, Scion xD, Honda Fit - no water temp gauge

bubbabubbs@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> I've been thinking about what my next commute car is going to be. 80
> miles/day, it's just me and my briefcase, so thinking of a small
> vehicle with great gas mileage. Yaris hatchback, Scion xD, or Honda
> Fit would work for me. Problem is, none of them has a water temp
> gauge, just an "idiot light."
> 
> Would you consider buying a car (brand new) that only has the water
> temp "idiot light", but no water temp _gauge_ ?
> 
> Btw, do these "idiot lights" come on early enough to prevent major
> engine damage, or only after the engine has overheated to the point
> where the head gasket is blown?

depends if you stop when it first comes on or not.

truth is, water gauges are an historic anachronism.  if you look at the 
typical car's temp gauge, they don't have a linear response, it's a step 
function.  that means that when it's in the "normal" zone, there can be 
considerable temperature variation and you'll never see any difference 
in indicator position.

given that it's not really any interest when the coolant is cold, and 
there is no visible variability under normal operating conditions, that 
only leaves the "too hot" zone to be of any real interest - and there's 
no reason it can't be served by an indicator light.  in fact, it may be 
a good deal more useful than a honda where if you don't happen to look 
down at the gauge to catch a problem in time, you can easily cook an 
engine.  most people notice right away when a light comes on.



> 
> Also, the next bigger models that do have the water temp gauge would
> be Toyota Corolla, Matrix, or Honda Civic. But the extra purchase/
> owner****p cost may not even offset the possible repair costs resulting
> from a Yaris/Fit/xD engine overheating (which, if happens, would be
> several years down the road.)
> 
> TIA,
> Bubba