I think this part is key. I have to drive over 18 mph for 5 to 15 minutes continually and then the display will change to the correct temperature. stop and go driving can make the car hold the incorrect reading for a LONG time. long enough to make the outside temp display useless some days

 

I WAS in constant stop n go traffic today.. tomorrow I'm hitting the "open road"... We'll see what happens!! Thanks for the heads up, dbfruth!!

 

I almost always have to drive for 5-10 min for the temp to settle to close to what its suppose to be..

 

Took the SS to the SoCal HHR's G2G today (a great event!)... It now seems the outside temp gauge is functioning properly--seemed to update temp's continually... About 120 miles of fwy driving...

Although it's hard for me to believe, all of my driving-errands yesterday must have each taken less than the "15 minute" time period needed for the gauge's update...

Anyhoo--I'm happy that all is OK!

FYI--1200 miles and the only issue thus far was a Tire Pressure Monitor Sending Unit that needed to be re-calibrated...

 

Mine works better now that the warranty ran out. was always off 3 to 5 degrees

 

There is a good blurb on this in the owner's manual. I installed a $10 thermometer on another car. Placed the sensor on the front grille. Stop with the engine warm and the displayed temperature shoots up. Drive very slowly and it also picks up engine heat. The HHR computer logic is avoiding engine and road heat by not displaying temperature when you are stopped, driving too slowly and until you have driven at a higher speed long enough to cool off the sensor. It will continue to display the last trusted reading - even though that could have been a long time ago.

 

Mine does the same thing. Usually takes about 30 min then it starts working again.

 

Who would have thought so much work goes into a trivial little thing...

 

I actually just noticed this today. My temp display was stuck at -2 all morning when clearly its around 5 later on while the sun was warming things up.

 

Mine has gotten "stuck" at a certain temp a few times. Then all the of the sudden it will start working again...don't know what the deal is.