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

"N8N" <njnagel@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:794aa864-ced8-4d53-ab3d-b8e35018aec0@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Apr 6, 10:27 pm, Jim Yanik <jya...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Nate Nagel <njna...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote 
> innews:ftbr6n1273o@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Ashton Crusher wrote:
> >> On Fri, 4 Apr 2008 10:56:27 -0700 (PDT), bubbabu...@[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_ ?

Even with a proper temperature gauge, you need to consider whether the
gauge 
is in a visible place on the dashboard. First prize for "Most Stupid 
Position for Temperature Gauge" has to go to the Renault 14 (probably
early 
1980s vintage) which placed the gauge low-down on the central console, 
behind the gear lever. Not a place that you will frequently check it as
you 
look at the everyday gauges like speedometer and fuel, and warning lights 
such as ignition, oil pressure and handbrake.

Many years ago my sister was driving my mother's Renault 14 shortly after 
she learned to drive and wrote off the engine because a radiator hose
burst 
and the only warning that the engine was overheating was this
insignificant 
gauge on an obscure part of the dashboard.