The weather in NJ has been averaging around 15-30 F for the last few days. The heater never seems to get very warm and I notice the water temp guage reads around 60C. I've done a search and everyone seems to say that normal operating temp is around 80C. I just had the 60K mile service done. Could I have a wrong thermostat in place?

 

the proper engine temp is around 90 and less than 100
it is normal that the temp goes higher than 90 when you pump up the engine for a big run but then it should go back to normal again which is 90c soon.
in the case you are having right now, you might wanna get your thermostat checked for any open-failure.

 

I agree with the 90 and less. Usually mine operates at 80 - 81. I would go back to the dealer and indictae what the is issue is.

 

With the cold temperatures you are experiencing, it takes more time for the engine to reach operating temperature (around 82 Deg. C). With 12 Deg. F temperatures last week in Chicago it took 20 minutes of driving for my car to reach operating temperature.

 

yeap, it also depends on the wether you are having ... it might takes longer to get the ideal temp in the cold day and vice versa.

 

The temp has warmed up considerably but the temp guage never goes above 60 even after 30 minutes or more of driving. The heat never comes out really hot even when on HI. It does sound like the thermostat may be open. I'm going back to the dealer ASAP to get it checked.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

According to my manual, depending on outside temp and stop & go, temp may get close to the red zone, but not in the red zone. The red zone indicates an issue and your collant light should come out. These cars will flag a warning when something is wrong.

 

Does the word failed thermostat come to mind?

 

not that I know a lot about the situation you are having, but too much anti freeze in the mix will keep the car from warming up to temperature as well,,, had that happen to me a few years back. But, does sound more like a thermostat problem