[carguy1949]

Why would Subaru design a car without a temperature gauge is a mystery to me. Especially a car that has a history of overheating. Adding a mechanical gauge was not an option for me so I started looking at alternatives. The heads up display seemed like a good choice. I went to Ebay and found a Scosche heads up display brand new for $20. It's fabulous, easy to install, just plug it into the OBD port and you're done. The temperature is displayed on my lower windshield and looks like a factory install plus it does alot of other things if you want. There are several HUD units out there but I was familiar with Scoshe brand and I was correct. A very nice unit with no apologies. I've added a photo. The unit comes with one of those sticky pads but I used a piece of velcro. I have it set specifically for water temperature but you can display voltage, RPM, speed and water temp. The kit comes with a reflective decal but you don't have to use it. I did and it makes a much clearer display.

 

[adc]

Oil temp gauge is more useful and is actually controlled by water temp. Water temp could be fin and yet engine overheard. Not saying that it's not "nice" to and water temp. But that is subaru logic

 

[ForesterCub]

Thanks for sharing that info.

It's the one big disappointment I had when purchasing my car - Subrau deciding we didn't need temperature gauges. I had used one, relied on one, during my driving career, a fundamental indicator of engine health.

So I'll look into your fix! Thanks.

 

[Lebanon]

Please could you add pictures of your installation?

 

[daklakfoto]

You could get a obd2 reader then using an app such as torque (android) to see a lot of info about your car.

 

[adc]

Thanks for sharing that info.

It's the one big disappointment I had when purchasing my car - Subrau deciding we didn't need temperature gauges. I had used one, relied on one, during my driving career, a fundamental indicator of engine health.

So I'll look into your fix! Thanks.

Do you not have oil temp?

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

@ForesterCub I'd recommend a ScanGauge II or an UltraGauge. Both are simple OBD2 "plug & play" installation! We have a ScanGauge II installed in each of our vehicles.

My ScanGauge II installation write up can be viewed here in my Member Journal: ScanGauge II is installed! :wink:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[ForesterCub]

Do you not have oil temp?

Hi adc,

No, I really miss that too (as standard) !!

 

[ForesterCub]

@2.5x_sleeper

Hi Bobby,

Thank you so much for that info, I will certainly check them out.

 

[adc]

Hi adc,

No, I really miss that too (as standard) !!

Yea..that totally sucks.

 

[carguy1949]

not available at the OBD socket

I'll try in a day or so

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

We have full gauging on all our vehicles. The oil temperature is pretty close to the coolant temperature, slightly higher of course. You can't get the oil temperature via the OBD2, but you can get the coolant temperature, which we monitor on our ScanGauge II.

On our ScanGauge II we monitor these gauges... functions. Of course what you monitor is up to you. :wink:

• air intake temperature
• coolant temperature
• digital speedometer
• battery voltage

Bobby...

Here's an example picture of the display, excuse the poor quality picture, it's from the pictures I took for my Member Journal write up.

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[Kevin]

I too can highly recommend the ScangaugeII. It has a large range of features including clearing CELs; trip monitoring, fuel usage etc:
https://www.scangauge.com/products/scangauge-ii/

 

[Natedog]

As stated oil temp is much more useful than water temp. Wow, my 2015 has oil temperature gauge.

 

[Gelbert]

Question:

Can anybody tell me what the temperature is in the following situations:❓

1) In regard to the coolant temperature low indicator light/coolant temperature high warning light:

This coolant temperature low indicator light/coolant temperature high warning light has the following three functions.

Illumination in BLUE indicates insufficient warming up of the engine.

What is the temperature the moment the blue light goes off after starting and warming up the engine?

Blinking in RED indicates that the engine is close to overheating. 🌡❓

Illumination in RED indicates overheating condition of the engine. 🌡❓

2) When the AT temp warming lights 👀 and you need to park the vehicle immediately.

AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT models)

If this light illuminates when the engine is running, it may indicate that the transmission fluid temperature is too hot.🌡❓ If the light illuminates while driving, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and let the engine idle until the warning light turns off.

Transmission control system warning

If the "AT OIL TEMP" warning light flashes after the engine has started, it may indicate that the transmission control system is not working properly. 🌡❓ Contact your nearest SUBARU dealer for service immediately.

Source for the above info (minus the temperature and question mark symbols): https://www.planetsubaru.com/subaru-warning-lights.htm

If you have the instruments discussed in the above thread, can read your coolant 🌡 and oil 🌡 and transmission fluid 🌡 temps?

As a former pilot, I can attest to the importance of having accurate instruments. The main thing we looked at immediately after engine start for piston powered aircraft was the oil pressure. A drop in oil pressure results in rapid temperature rise to dangerous levels. Most piston aircraft are air cooled so, unlike the Forester, transmission fluid and engine coolant are not applicable.

At any rate, I think being able to know the exact Forester oil pressure and the coolant temperature and the transmission fluid temperature is desirable. I never did like "idiot" lights, though I agree they have some use.

 

[suburq]

My 2016 base model has a oil temp gauge, but it took me months to figure out it was there, because its display is buried in a menu selection in the "triple meter screen" on the "multifunction display" :/

 

[skirbykat]

Question:

Can anybody tell me what the temperature is in the following situations:

1) In regard to the coolant temperature low indicator light/coolant temperature high warning light:


What is the temperature the moment the blue light goes off after starting and warming up the engine?



2) When the AT temp warming lights and you need to park the vehicle immediately.



Source for the above info (minus the temperature and question mark symbols): https://www.planetsubaru.com/subaru-warning-lights.htm

If you have the instruments discussed in the above thread, can read your coolant and oil and transmission fluid temps?

As a former pilot, I can attest to the importance of having accurate instruments. The main thing we looked at immediately after engine start for piston powered aircraft was the oil pressure. A drop in oil pressure results in rapid temperature rise to dangerous levels. Most piston aircraft are air cooled so, unlike the Forester, transmission fluid and engine coolant are not applicable.

At any rate, I think being able to know the exact Forester oil pressure and the coolant temperature and the transmission fluid temperature is desirable. I never did like "idiot" lights, though I agree they have some use.

My 09 shuts off the blue coolant light at 120 deg F. Just checked out of curiosity last night. Not sure of other figures though, and thank goodness never the overheat!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[GoFrogs]

View attachment 497387 Why would Subaru design a car without a temperature gauge is a mystery to me.

Subaru is not alone, [there are others]. Mazda saw fit to give the (our 2016)CX-5 (and possibly other Models too) a temp light that starts out blue when the engine is cold. The blue temp light, shaped like a thermometer, disappears when the engine reach "normal" operating temperature.

Granted, out CX-5 does not have a turbo, but that does't mean coolant temperature isn't important. As the colder weather begins, the engine is going to take a bit longer to warm up. So, as long as that blue light is on, I just have to remember not to turn the HVAC fan speed up until the light goes out.

I' sure the '19 CX-5 with the turbo will be the same way.

With all of the information that manufacturers decide to install in the info screens, you would think that coolant and oil temp could be some of that information.

I see future cars not having lights at all, and only messages displayed in their digital dashes/info screens, unless there is some federal mandate saying cars must have warning lights.

 

[kmills1]

i will definitely be adding one

 

[adc]

Problem with that setup is that it will likely distract you too much. I would avoid such a setup. I mean seriously..why would you need to concentrate on one gauge. Folks that have a simple gauge have done just fine and there is no distraction.