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

On Fri, 4 Apr 2008 10:56:27 -0700 (PDT), 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?
>
>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


Yes, I would.  I've had many vehicles with real gauges and a few of
them overheated and I never noticed the gauge go up because it
happened so fast (blown hose).  I might have noticed an idiot light.
I'd like to have both in an ideal setup.  It's nice to know what's
happening with water temp on a long uphill, esp if you are towing
something.  My 99 Mustang GT has a temp, oil and volt gauge but all
are just idiot gauges.  At least on the mustang you can put the
Dashboard odometer into "diagnostic mode" and it will give a true
digital readout of water temp.  I think most idiot lights for water
temp are set to go on at about 235 degrees.  If everything is good in
the cooling system it should not boil till it hits 260 degrees.