ajent420

This is the first stretch of hot weather I have had with this car. How much do your temp gages fluctuate when driving in the heat? Not that Seattle is baking or anything, but I've noticed the needle going between the normal level position to slightly above normal and a few needles worth below 100. Usually happens when idling or stuck in 99 traffic (10-20 mph for a few miles with a little stop and go)


Picking up some Zerex G05 on the way home just to be sure...

RichardM98

That is normal behavior.

ajent420

I guess I've never had a car with a functioning temp gage...they've always stayed steady at the "Normal" level.

Either way, I know the red zone is obviously bad, but around 100 is acceptable? mind you it's not %100 of the time...

meooem1

it is normal. worried me at first also. it is nice to know that the gage works, unlike most other cars that have gone with a center point needle unless the temperature varies wildly! car companies got tired of people bringing their cars to the shop because the needle didn't stay right at center point. engine temperature goes up and down depending on conditions and other factors.

RichardM98

Short excursions up to 100C are not uncommon. The important thing is that is comes back down.

A gauge where the needle never moves can be replaced by an 'idiot light'. Maybe you're too young to remember but American cars used to have small red lights which lit up when the engine temp went too high or the oil level was low. The trouble was that by then often the damage was done or you were stranded somewhere.

The sensor MB uses is sensitive but it allows you to measure the 'health' of your cooling system. When under an additional load such as stop/go or high ambient temps, it will rise a little but come back down after the load disappears. Once you become accustomed to how it reacts, you'll know right away when there is a problem. That's it's purpose.

As one of our famous moderators likes to say... Enjoy the ride!