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The venturi in the carburetor cools the air passing through it, which is why temps above freezing are the most likely time to get carb ice. Your carb air temp gauge will probably spend a great deal of time in the "ice zone", because these temp conditions are encounterd often. You can occationaly check for ice by useing full heat for a short time. If you do have ice it will probably run worse as it melts and water is ingested by the motor, then gradually smoothing out. If you use partial heat you are giving the engine warmer air which is not as dense and thus leaning the engine by reducing the amount of air for the same amount of gas being fed to it. I think it is preferable to run cold air and if you want to check occaisionaly, use full heat for a short time. I wouldn't worry a great deal about the gauge reading; I've had carb ice outside of the "ice zone" on the gauge just as often as when conditions were favorable. I would pay more attention on a 55 degree day when the air is heavy and damp.
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