The temperature gauges in model years 2000 to 2003 have only 6 active segments.  Owners of these cars are used to seeing "3 bars" once the engine is warm enough for VTEC and rarely do they ever see the 4th bar illuminated.  Here's a comparison between the stock gauge display and the standard Modifry ECT display that makes it obvious why drivers always see 3 bars.  (The numbers indicate the temperature at which each segment lights up)

As you can see, the stock gauge lights the 3rd segment for any temperature between 160 and 235, which is a pretty wide range.  It also provides readings out to 273° which is far higher than you'll ever see and a waste of the limited number of bars on this gauge.

The Modifry version of the temperature display narrows the overall range of the gauge to temperatures that should be of the most interest to drivers - between 160° and 235°.  Any lower and the engine is not warm enough for VTEC operation, any higher and you might as well plan on some major repair work.   It also provides temperature indications for each bar that are equally spaced and easy to remember.  The 2nd bar (the first active segment) lights at the traditional "OK to VTEC" temperature of 160°, and each successive bar is 15° higher.  This provides a meaningful temperature gauge that gives earlier warning of an overheat condition without causing undue fluctuation in the gauge.  Plus, now you'll know what the actual temperature is, not just "I think it's hot".

Just like the stock gauge, the Modifry version will light the 3rd bar for most normal driving conditions but you will see 4 bars if the ambient temperature is very high, you're in stop-n-go traffic, or you're on the track.  That's nothing to be concerned with, you'll get used to it and may even be reassured knowing the gauge is actually giving you useable information for a change.  Only very rarely will additional bars light up, and if they do you should be looking for a place to pull over and determine what the problem is.

Features of the AP1 version: