How does a car measure the outside temperature at speed, without it skewing for windchill or engine/surface heat?
In: 92
I think the other replies are too complex. Let me try:
“Windchill factor” is just a made up way to show people how cold it would “Feel” vs the actual temp. It’s not actually that temperature, it’s just an estimation of how it would “feel” like to you.
Example: It’s -10f, but windchill -22f. It’s not actually -22f. It’s -10f. But when the wind blows and it hits you, it makes your body lose heat so quickly that it would be like if you were actually in -22f cold but the wind standing still. The heat loss would be similar. Hence, it “feels” like -22f even though it’s -10f.
A thermometer is already at whatever temperature the ambient temp is. You are not. Even in -10f weather, your internal core still has to be at 97-98ish. It would be catastrophic for your body to lose even 50f, let alone get to the -10f. Exposed body parts would get frostbite.
The themometer does not. It will simply read whatever the actual temp is.
As far as engine heat, The actual sensor is probably in the trunk, or away from the main engine heat.
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