Engine temperature gauge and tachometer

I suspect that 'car enthusiasts' is a much smaller demographic in general than it is on PriusChat.

 

Pretty much every car used to have a functional, linear coolant gauge. I wonder was that due to legislation, or it was just expectation, either manufacturer or consumer? D_u_n_n_o.

 

I am old enough to remember 55 gallon water barrels placed on uphill roads to replenish your radiator. I am old enough to remember canvas bags perched in front of you radiator to help cool it. It really wasn't THAT long ago that cars overheated regularly. Thankfully, those days are gone. (unless you are driving a Nash Metropolitan)

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2BEAAOSwhOVXfJ52/s-l1600.jpg

 

I kinda remember those, but had no clue, maybe an inkling it was for cooling, and an equal one that folks just wanted plenty of water on hand, lol.

Reading up a bit, guess it was both.

 

So I checked the coolant temps (scanguage II) on my Prius v that uses the engine/coolant as heater core, and with the climate system set at Auto 69F (34F outside) the fan did not blow any air over heater core until the coolant reached 100F. Second level of fan speed just after 110F, third level just after 120F, and forth level at +130F. So I think Auto does a good job at keeping no air going over the heater core.

How do I check heater core temps in the Prius Prime?

 

First to respond to the initial question in this thread
No the Prime doesn't have coolant temp or tackometer gauges
Jimbo explains why toyota chose not to include a tack below

I couldn't read the description on the Y axis even after zoom in so I looked for other clues in the the graph and descriptions. There it was in the graph title "bsfc comparison" and here's a good description of what bsfc is. http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ctrp-1109-brake-specific-fuel-consumption/ by Jim McFarland

With Prime besides the typical engine coolant heat source, there is also an electrical heat pump. The Prime computers blend the use of both ( depending on a bunch of variables both from the cars sensors and the options chosen by the driver).
Posted to the best of my knowledge currently. Corrections gladly accepted...