Engine Temp Needle Flucuates
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,073
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From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
Engine Temp Needle Flucuates
So I know the avg operating temperature stays above 80 but below 100 degrees.
However, I have been making long distance trips lately on my car, about 1.5 hours of non stop highway driving. Sometimes on the middle of the trip, it will dip to a little under 80, and then back up to above 80 (like normal). I have seen this many times.
Anybody else see this or might there be something wrong?
I have never owned a car that had the engine temperature drop even when fully warmed up
However, I have been making long distance trips lately on my car, about 1.5 hours of non stop highway driving. Sometimes on the middle of the trip, it will dip to a little under 80, and then back up to above 80 (like normal). I have seen this many times.
Anybody else see this or might there be something wrong?
I have never owned a car that had the engine temperature drop even when fully warmed up
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Boston, MA
2008 C300 4matic Sport
well when you are on the highway there is a larger amount of airflow going through the radiator. this cools the engine more efficiently at highway speeds. i have also noticed the same thing with my car when cruising about 65-75mph on the highway.
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
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From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
I would also note that our gauges are much more sensitive/responsive than those found in most vehicles. The majority of guages will "run up" to a certain preset point and stay there unless there is a substantial change in temperature.
Could it be that you were running through a low lying or shady area where the outside temp dropped enough drop your coolant temp a few degrees?
Could it be that you were running through a low lying or shady area where the outside temp dropped enough drop your coolant temp a few degrees?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
Ive been driving at night so I don think there is huge temperature fluctuations, especially not in the bay area where we stay relatively neutral in weather. Its just funny to me to see the temp needle move down because I have never seen that in any other car.
In response to the sensitive needle, it also bothers me that the gas needle moves when on a hill
In response to the sensitive needle, it also bothers me that the gas needle moves when on a hill
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 79
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From: Boston, MA
2008 C300 4matic Sport
Ive been driving at night so I don think there is huge temperature fluctuations, especially not in the bay area where we stay relatively neutral in weather. Its just funny to me to see the temp needle move down because I have never seen that in any other car.
In response to the sensitive needle, it also bothers me that the gas needle moves when on a hill
In response to the sensitive needle, it also bothers me that the gas needle moves when on a hill
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 600
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From: Northern California
09' E350 AMG Sport, 09' C300, 03' Honda S2K
The temp stick needle fluctuating is normal. I drive like 5 min before I hop on the freeway going home from work. It stay ups, then once im on the freeway it drop down again to middle point, then it goes up and stays up.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 139
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GLK350
Hi Guys, I decided to ask here because there's not as much users on the GLK forum. I have a 2010 and yesturday morning i got a "low coolent" warning when i first started the car. The coolent level looked fine and the car drove fine. It did not have the error on subsequent drives.
In the afternoon, the temp needle went slightly pass the 100 degree mark for a couple seconds during city driving and settles at like 97 (just below 100) afterwards. The outside temp was only around 20 degrees C. I can also hear the engine fan going very loud in the front. Is this normal? My car is only 3 months old with 4,000 kms. I booked an appointment with the dealer and but they have no time until next week to even look at the car. Thank you in advance for your time and advice.
In the afternoon, the temp needle went slightly pass the 100 degree mark for a couple seconds during city driving and settles at like 97 (just below 100) afterwards. The outside temp was only around 20 degrees C. I can also hear the engine fan going very loud in the front. Is this normal? My car is only 3 months old with 4,000 kms. I booked an appointment with the dealer and but they have no time until next week to even look at the car. Thank you in advance for your time and advice.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Exactly. Plus, typically, when a thermostat fails, it will open up too early and will stay open, thus not allowing the engine to warm up properly. Main downside will be increased fuel consumption as the engine isn't as efficient below the proper operating temp.
Last edited by Pete7874; Jun 7, 2010 at 03:49 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
In the afternoon, the temp needle went slightly pass the 100 degree mark for a couple seconds during city driving and settles at like 97 (just below 100) afterwards. The outside temp was only around 20 degrees C. I can also hear the engine fan going very loud in the front. Is this normal? My car is only 3 months old with 4,000 kms. I booked an appointment with the dealer and but they have no time until next week to even look at the car. Thank you in advance for your time and advice.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 2
GLK350
Thank you Pete,
I do have an appointment booked at the dealer I purchased the car from but also e-mailed a local corporate owned dealer because its closer to home as my own dealer told me they have no time to see me till next week. The corp service advisor called and said it is normal for the GLK (i'm guessing the C350) to run at a high temp and as long as i don't get to the red mark or get anymore errors, it should be okay to drive. I've never owned a car that had a fluctuating temp needle nor an aux fan that sounds like a fighter jet but I guess i'm just new to the MB experience... Will report back if the car catches on fire, lol
I do have an appointment booked at the dealer I purchased the car from but also e-mailed a local corporate owned dealer because its closer to home as my own dealer told me they have no time to see me till next week. The corp service advisor called and said it is normal for the GLK (i'm guessing the C350) to run at a high temp and as long as i don't get to the red mark or get anymore errors, it should be okay to drive. I've never owned a car that had a fluctuating temp needle nor an aux fan that sounds like a fighter jet but I guess i'm just new to the MB experience... Will report back if the car catches on fire, lol
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Slight temp variation is normal. If it becomes abnormal due to a lazy thermostat (Benz thermostats fail wide open) then the car will not warm up sufficiently & will trigger a P0128. When this happens replace the thermostat.
Good Luck
Good Luck
glad to know the car is running normal
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
2016 C300
I know it's old post, but just want to know what did the dealer say when he looked at your car.. Because I have the same issue, and the temp gauge fluctuate sometimes between 80 and 90. Thanks in advance.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
2016 C300
Hi Guys, I decided to ask here because there's not as much users on the GLK forum. I have a 2010 and yesturday morning i got a "low coolent" warning when i first started the car. The coolent level looked fine and the car drove fine. It did not have the error on subsequent drives.
In the afternoon, the temp needle went slightly pass the 100 degree mark for a couple seconds during city driving and settles at like 97 (just below 100) afterwards. The outside temp was only around 20 degrees C. I can also hear the engine fan going very loud in the front. Is this normal? My car is only 3 months old with 4,000 kms. I booked an appointment with the dealer and but they have no time until next week to even look at the car. Thank you in advance for your time and advice.
In the afternoon, the temp needle went slightly pass the 100 degree mark for a couple seconds during city driving and settles at like 97 (just below 100) afterwards. The outside temp was only around 20 degrees C. I can also hear the engine fan going very loud in the front. Is this normal? My car is only 3 months old with 4,000 kms. I booked an appointment with the dealer and but they have no time until next week to even look at the car. Thank you in advance for your time and advice.
I know it's old post, but just want to know what did the dealer say when he looked at your car.. Because I have the same issue, and the temp gauge fluctuate sometimes between 80 and 90. Thanks in advance.
