Why are car thermometers so inaccurate when the car’s been sitting in the sun?

Question

I’m at the point where I completely disregard any car’s outdoor temperature sensor. In hot days when the car’s been in the sun, they seem to all way overestimate the temperature compared to what the weather app says it is.

I get that the sun will heat up the car and since the thermometer sensor is on the car that heats up too. But what stops them adding some protection measure to the thermometer to avoid this, so that we can get accurate outdoor air temperature readings?

In: 3

Answer 1

Car thermometers only serve one important purpose, which is to warn against conditions where you may encounter ice on the road. They don’t bother too much about summer accuracy.