An outside air temperature sensor in the area of the bumper measures the outside temperature. The temperature value is sent to the instrument cluster across conventional cables.
The input value of the temperature sensor is computed in the control unit of the instrument cluster against the current engine temperature (coolant temperature) and the vehicle speed.
This ensures that the outside temperature signal is not excessively falsified by the air flow and/or the engine heat.
The instrument cluster makes this outside temperature mean value available to the other control units as a telegram via the K-CAN SYSTEM.
The instrument cluster is thus the ”outside temperature master” for the control units in the chassis and suspension, drive and body sections.
The on-board computer and Check Control displays can be called up and scrolled through with the buttons on the turn indicator and dipped-beam switch.
The Controller can be used via the Control Display to change the units of the temperature gauge (°C, °F). The display can also be coded using the Tester.
The trip distance reset button on the instrument cluster can be used with the ignition switched off to call up displays and functions.
In this display area, the diagnosis test functions can be called up:
Test no. 7 can be used to display the current value (sensor value) of the outside temperature in the display area within the revolution counter .
In addition to the time, the outside temperature is normally displayed in this display area with a display resolution of 0.5°C.
If the outside temperature falls below +3°C, an acoustic warning is issued.
If required, these displays are overwritten by Check Control warning symbols (e.g. the symbol for outside temperature). Check Control messages are usually announced by a gong.
The outside temperature can be controlled as an additional function via the on-board computer. The outside temperature is displayed in the LCD display field below the gear display, unless it has been overwritten by a variable indicator lamp of the Check Control.