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1996 S320 Normal Engine Temperature

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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 01:14 PM
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Joseph S Tann J's Avatar
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S320
1996 S320 Normal Engine Temperature

What is the normal or "no concern/problem" reading on the dashboard temperature guage for my 1996 S320. I understand that this reading may differ for idle, drive spped and when air conditioner is running. What is normal for each of these circumstances? Thx!!
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 02:49 PM
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Rod Spohn's Avatar
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From: Mesa, AZ
2011 E350 Bluetec, 1996 S320 & 2006 E320 CDI Sold to my son & 2017 GMC 2500 Diesel Pick up
Originally Posted by Joseph S Tann J
What is the normal or "no concern/problem" reading on the dashboard temperature guage for my 1996 S320. I understand that this reading may differ for idle, drive spped and when air conditioner is running. What is normal for each of these circumstances? Thx!!
Joseph - I have a '96 S320 and live in Arizona. The only time I have ever seen the temp Fluctuate is in the middle of our summer at temps above 105 or so. It normally reads just above the 8 mark. Even after driving at highway speeds with AC on full in the outside temps of 105+ it never gets past the 12 mark. Can't promise thats normal across the board but thats what mine does. Hope that helps...
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 04:07 PM
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NZ_Benz's Avatar
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1993 300SEL/S320
Originally Posted by Rod Spohn
Joseph - I have a '96 S320 and live in Arizona. The only time I have ever seen the temp Fluctuate is in the middle of our summer at temps above 105 or so. It normally reads just above the 8 mark. Even after driving at highway speeds with AC on full in the outside temps of 105+ it never gets past the 12 mark. Can't promise thats normal across the board but thats what mine does. Hope that helps...
I don't know what your talking about it's measured in 'C and it starts at 40 and ends at 120 which is in the red.

These cars should run at about 80-90 under normal operating conditions (city driving stop start traffic etc) At highway speed the car should be cooler because the speed of the car is forcing air into hitting the radiator. A little bit of movement in the temp is normal if your worried about high temp all the time then change your coolant if it's getting old that should sort it out a bit.

If what your talking about is the outside temp sensor display in the cluster (the digital one) then whatever the temp is outside it should read about that. it will also be effected by engine temp too. It's really designed to give an idea of the temp of the road surface to check for ice or melting tar.
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 05:36 PM
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From: Twin Cities, MN
1999 S320 LWB
On my '99 S320, it'll usually stick around 80, but if it's been sitting in traffic for a while on a warmer day, it'll go to the point that's just below 100* (the line 1/2 between 80 and 120*)
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Old Oct 2, 2007 | 05:39 PM
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From: Mesa, AZ
2011 E350 Bluetec, 1996 S320 & 2006 E320 CDI Sold to my son & 2017 GMC 2500 Diesel Pick up
Originally Posted by NZ_Benz
I don't know what your talking about it's measured in 'C and it starts at 40 and ends at 120 which is in the red.

These cars should run at about 80-90 under normal operating conditions (city driving stop start traffic etc) At highway speed the car should be cooler because the speed of the car is forcing air into hitting the radiator. A little bit of movement in the temp is normal if your worried about high temp all the time then change your coolant if it's getting old that should sort it out a bit.

If what your talking about is the outside temp sensor display in the cluster (the digital one) then whatever the temp is outside it should read about that. it will also be effected by engine temp too. It's really designed to give an idea of the temp of the road surface to check for ice or melting tar.
NZ.Benz - Well my temp gauge read differant I guess. Just an 8 just shy of a 1/3 of the way up then 12 about 2/3 up don't remember off the to of my head whats after that. I'll have to check this evening.
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