718 Coding using Launch X431 tool

[Larry C]

No, most late model Porsches do have the dumbed-down coolant gauge. I got this info from a 991 discussion in a different forum, and it was confirmed in a Macan group, and with several 718 and 981 owners. It's possible that the Turbo models (emblem'd as such, not just turbo-equipped lesser models) get the "real" numbers like the GT cars do, yours is the first I've heard of that possibility.

The gauge doesn't read true numbers until 257°F, but at actual 239°F the displayed temp suddenly jumps from 194°F to 221°F, and at 245°F (actual) it jumps again to display 239°. My understanding is that the overheating warnings start at the 239°F (actual) mark.

Luckily this is easy to fix with a quick re-code.

I can’t understand why Porsche would mess with coolant gauge readings unless they could sell it as an option. IMO, it’s a solution without a problem.

[Tom]

I didn't know this detail, but have long suspected this about the coolant gauge. On my my 991 and now my 992 (both Turbo S cars), the coolant gauge climbs steadily to 194 and then simply never moves. I figured the computer was giving us the 'there there, everything's fine' reading, but I would have thought the range was way smaller than that. There's just no way the coolant temp stays exactly 194 all the time. It would take some mighty impressive closed loop sensors, fans, etc. to keep it from varying by less than a degree. I tend to look at the oil temp more anyway, which seems to have a sticking point in the 180's (which I always guessed was a coolant thermostat opening) but beyond that it seems to move the way you'd expect for an oil gauge. Please don't tell us that one is lying to us too.....!

[Tom]

No, most late model Porsches do have the dumbed-down coolant gauge. I got this info from a 991 discussion in a different forum, and it was confirmed in a Macan group, and with several 718 and 981 owners. It's possible that the Turbo models (emblem'd as such, not just turbo-equipped lesser models) get the "real" numbers like the GT cars do, yours is the first I've heard of that possibility.

The gauge doesn't read true numbers until 257°F, but at actual 239°F the displayed temp suddenly jumps from 194°F to 221°F, and at 245°F (actual) it jumps again to display 239°. My understanding is that the overheating warnings start at the 239°F (actual) mark.

Luckily this is easy to fix with a quick re-code.

I can’t understand why Porsche would mess with coolant gauge readings unless they could sell it as an option. IMO, it’s a solution without a problem.

I assume it's so people don't obsess on natural fluctuations and pester the dealer because the coolant temp goes up 10 degrees at stop lights... It's basically an idiot light dressed up to look like a fancy sports car gauge....

[blueline]

No, most late model Porsches do have the dumbed-down coolant gauge. I got this info from a 991 discussion in a different forum, and it was confirmed in a Macan group, and with several 718 and 981 owners. It's possible that the Turbo models (emblem'd as such, not just turbo-equipped lesser models) get the "real" numbers like the GT cars do, yours is the first I've heard of that possibility.

The gauge doesn't read true numbers until 257°F, but at actual 239°F the displayed temp suddenly jumps from 194°F to 221°F, and at 245°F (actual) it jumps again to display 239°. My understanding is that the overheating warnings start at the 239°F (actual) mark.

Luckily this is easy to fix with a quick re-code.

Thanks for that info. I am shocked that Porsche would do this but I guess I shouldn't be surprised at much of anything anymore.

It's good that 'Turbo' badged vehicles apparently get the full functionality. (Tom's doesn't though - what's going on with that?) An honest, full reading should be normal/standard on every P-car (and every car no matter the make assuming some kind of real gauge). This dismaying!.

Very fortunate that you have a solution for those that want the capability and have shared the same.

[Arne2]

Realistically, Porsche (and many other car makers) have been doing this for years. The manufacturers would really prefer that people don't know the car's temps, because people get excited over things they should ignore. So most cars don't have coolant temps displayed numerically at all these days. But Porsche figures they need to provide a gauge. They just don't want customers to know what is really going on.

Today's cars run much hotter coolant temps than what most of us old-timers are used to seeing. Why let people panic and complain to the service department about it? It is much simpler to hide the temp than it is to reeducate the owners as to what "normal" is these days. My 718 now routinely shows coolant temps in the 225-235°F range. On older cars this would be bad, but it is normal on modern computer-controlled engines. I suspect Porsche is not alone in this 'doctoring' of the data. Others manufacturers probably do it as well.

Way back in the early '70s, a 911 (with S gauges) had an oil temp gauge and it had numbers. By the mid-70s the numbers were replaced by a scale with a "too hot" red zone. An early example of the thought that it is not good to give owners too much info, they just get fussy.

[blueline]

No, most late model Porsches do have the dumbed-down coolant gauge. I got this info from a 991 discussion in a different forum, and it was confirmed in a Macan group, and with several 718 and 981 owners. It's possible that the Turbo models (emblem'd as such, not just turbo-equipped lesser models) get the "real" numbers like the GT cars do, yours is the first I've heard of that possibility.

The gauge doesn't read true numbers until 257°F, but at actual 239°F the displayed temp suddenly jumps from 194°F to 221°F, and at 245°F (actual) it jumps again to display 239°. My understanding is that the overheating warnings start at the 239°F (actual) mark.

Luckily this is easy to fix with a quick re-code.

I can’t understand why Porsche would mess with coolant gauge readings unless they could sell it as an option. IMO, it’s a solution without a problem.

I assume it's so people don't obsess on natural fluctuations and pester the dealer because the coolant temp goes up 10 degrees at stop lights... It's basically an idiot light dressed up to look like a fancy sports car gauge....

Then why have a tach or oil pressure and oil temp readings? We're supposed to obsess over these things! I always am checking.

I'm going to do some more real-world research and testing with the TTS and the Cayenne Turbo. May take a few weeks but I'll let everyone know what I find out.

[blueline]

Realistically, Porsche (and many other car makers) have been doing this for years. The manufacturers would really prefer that people don't know the car's temps, because people get excited over things they should ignore. So most cars don't have coolant temps displayed numerically at all these days. But Porsche figures they need to provide a gauge. They just don't want customers to know what is really going on.

Today's cars run much hotter coolant temps than what most of us old-timers are used to seeing. Why let people panic and complain to the service department about it? It is much simpler to hide the temp than it is to reeducate the owners as to what "normal" is these days. My 718 now routinely shows coolant temps in the 225-235°F range. On older cars this would be bad, but it is normal on modern computer-controlled engines. I suspect Porsche is not alone in this 'doctoring' of the data. Others manufacturers probably do it as well.

Way back in the early '70s, a 911 (with S gauges) had an oil temp gauge and it had numbers. By the mid-70s the numbers were replaced by a scale with a "too hot" red zone. An early example of the thought that it is not good to give owners too much info, they just get fussy.

Thanks for all the info Arne even if I don't want to hear it! It's left me a bit dejected - the bubble has been burst a small bit!

[Larry C]

No, most late model Porsches do have the dumbed-down coolant gauge. I got this info from a 991 discussion in a different forum, and it was confirmed in a Macan group, and with several 718 and 981 owners. It's possible that the Turbo models (emblem'd as such, not just turbo-equipped lesser models) get the "real" numbers like the GT cars do, yours is the first I've heard of that possibility.

The gauge doesn't read true numbers until 257°F, but at actual 239°F the displayed temp suddenly jumps from 194°F to 221°F, and at 245°F (actual) it jumps again to display 239°. My understanding is that the overheating warnings start at the 239°F (actual) mark.

Luckily this is easy to fix with a quick re-code.

Thanks for that info. I am shocked that Porsche would do this but I guess I shouldn't be surprised at much of anything anymore.

It's good that 'Turbo' badged vehicles apparently get the full functionality. (Tom's doesn't though - what's going on with that?) An honest, full reading should be normal/standard on every P-car (and every car no matter the make assuming some kind of real gauge). This dismaying!.

Very fortunate that you have a solution for those that want the capability and have shared the same.

Tim and Tom,
Are both of your turbo s cars the same year? If so, build date? That would be strange for one to have the GT accurate coolant gauge and the other to have the dumbed down one unless there was a mid model change. Weird!

[718socal]

From my experience with 982, Porsche did not expect people with Base, S or GTS to track their cars . Only the GT4/RS and Spyder have the actual coolant readings. . I don't know about 992.

[Tom]

To be clear, my 2021 Turbo S coolant temp starts at ambient and warms up to 194 the way you'd expect. Once it gets to 194, however, I've never seen it move off that number. Tim, does your coolant temp fluctuate after it gets to 194 -- up at stop lights, down on freeway, etc.?? If so, that must be a 2022 model (or latest software update) thing that my old jalopy doesn't have.