Additional indicators. Know more
The driver receives little information about the parameters of the engine. Some models only have a tachometer on the dashboards. Gaps can be filled with auxiliary indicators.
Modern car designers seem to have come to the conclusion that the driver should not be burdened with a large amount of information about the mechanical side of the car. This is right? The absence of a coolant temperature gauge is an example of excessive stinginess. Even the simplest engine should not be overloaded before it reaches operating temperature. The rate of its achievement depends on many factors - on the ambient temperature, through the efficiency of the engine, on the conditions on the road and the degree of use of heating.
As a rule, the coolant temperature needle stops at half the scale after a few kilometers. However, this does not mean that the bike is optimally warmed up. The oil temperature often does not exceed 50 degrees Celsius, which means that pressing gas to the floor is not good for the engine - bushings, camshafts, and turbochargers will be at the heart of the problem. The lubricant reaches operating temperature most often after 10-15 kilometers. Long-term, high engine load significantly affects the oil temperature. This, in turn, accelerates the aging of the lubricant and can also lead to breakage of the oil film. When it starts to exceed 120 degrees Celsius, it is worth limiting the pressure on the accelerator pedal.
In modern cars, oil temperature sensors are, unfortunately, a rarity. In addition to the typically sporty designs, we can find them among other things. in more powerful BMW or Peugeot 508 models. In Volkswagen Group vehicles, information can be called up from the on-board computer menu.
The issue with the lack of an oil or coolant temperature gauge, of course, can be resolved. The offer of additional indicators is extremely rich. A few tens of zlotys are enough for the simplest "watch" and the sensor that works with them. The products of the most famous companies, such as Defi, which are valued for their accuracy of indications and aesthetics of execution, cost several hundred zlotys.
An oil pressure sensor, rarely found in modern cars, helps to identify lubrication problems at an early stage. The red icon on the dashboard is a last resort and will not signal low oil pressure. It will light up when the pressure drops to almost zero - if the driver does not turn off the engine within a few seconds, then the drive will be suitable for overhaul.
Information about the oil pressure also allows you to assess whether the engine is optimally warmed up. Before the oil reaches operating temperature, the oil pressure will be high. If the drive unit overheats, it drops to dangerously low levels.
The boost pressure gauge also helps to check the health of the power unit. Too low, as well as overestimated values, indicate a problem with the control system or turbocharger. Warning signals should not be underestimated. Irregularities can not only disrupt the composition of the mixture. Overload creates an excessive load on the crank-piston system.
In modern cars, there is no shortage of electrical receivers. Heavy use combined with short-distance driving results in permanent undercharging of the battery. Who would like to avoid problems with electricity can equip the car with a voltmeter - after turning the key in the ignition, it becomes clear whether the voltage is correct. If it deviates significantly from 12,5 V, the battery needs to be recharged with a charger or more kilometers driven than before. The voltmeter readings simultaneously answer the question of whether the charging current voltage is maintained at the desired level. To have complete information about the condition of the generator, you should also purchase an ammeter.
Installing additional indicators is not particularly difficult. The current for powering the indicator and its backlight can be taken from the audio system harness. We connect a mechanical boost gauge to the intake manifold with a rubber hose. A more advanced electronic counterpart uses sensor signals. When mounting a liquid or oil temperature gauge, the sensor must be screwed into the cooling or oil line. A basic set of keys is enough to work - the sensor can usually be screwed in instead of the factory holes, which remain plugged with screws.
In modern, sensor-laden vehicles, it is not always necessary to buy additional indicators. The engine controller has a complete set of information - from boost pressure, through voltage at the battery terminals, fuel supply, expressed in liters, to oil temperature.
Data access paths vary. For example, in newer Volkswagen vehicles, the oil temperature will be displayed after selecting the appropriate box in the on-board computer menu. To get more information, you must decide to tamper with the electronics or connect a module to the bundle that will increase the range of available messages.
You can also use an OBD scanner with Bluetooth functionality and a smartphone with an app. The diagnostic module provides access to a large amount of information. It is also the cheapest solution that does not require intervention in the vehicle structure. Defects? The location of the diagnostic connector in some cars - at the level of the driver's left knee, behind the ashtray, etc. - rather excludes constant driving with the scanner connected. There are also compatibility issues with selected apps and devices.
