[Ant_ss]

My temp hand has never gone past this point. Is this normal? Got it with 12miles it now has 2,800 and never has it gone to the halfway mark. Every other car I've have has stayed at half.

[Mr. Wyndham]

My 12 ZL1, and 14 SS were the same. ⅓ or so....

Cycle your DIC to display coolant temperature, and so long as it is showing about 190-200..you're good.

[L&M CAMARO 6]

Must reach full operating temp engines don't like to run at less that 190-200*F. Condensation needs to be boiled off. So your thermostat is either opening too soon or the sending unit is sending a false reading to the ECU and or gauge.
Have it checked out.

[GTIanZ28]

completely normal. Mine is the same.

[Modshack]

Put a scan gauge on the car or some other OBD2 reader and get some real numbers. That might not even be a real gauge. It just stays in a "feel good" position and only varies with extremes. I can't tell you how many cars are "Gauged" like this today.

My old GTI always read 190 degrees when the actual temp varied from 155 to 220 or so..

[Wiskey]

My V6 M6 is exactly the same way, the DIC will show you what the real temperature is though.

It does bug my OCD a little bit, I wish it ran in the middle of the gauge, but better too cold than too hot!

Whiskey

[STEVE41]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

My V6 M6 is exactly the same way, the DIC will show you what the real temperature is though.

It does bug my OCD a little bit, I wish it ran in the middle of the gauge, but better too cold than too hot!

Whiskey

DIC on the V6 1LT actually show the coolant temp? my 1ss doesn't even do that.

[nino313]

Originally Posted by STEVE41

DIC on the V6 1LT actually show the coolant temp? my 1ss doesn't even do that.

Yes it does, and my gauge stays at that spot too. seems normal to me

[Don-T]

My 2L is the same, I think you are ok.

[fastball]

It's fine..... Where the needle is in reference to the real temperature means nothing. Temp gauges are about the least accurate gauge on the dash board. Some cars are calibrated to show right in the middle when at full running temp, others show below half. So long as you're not significantly into the extremes you are fine.

If you were running too cold it would trip the check engine light, as all modern cars have thermostat temp sensors that are actually spot on accurate as the engine temp will affect fuel economy. Running even a few degrees too cool can lower fuel economy, so they now have thermostat temp sensors right at the thermostat and if engine temp goes down even a couple degrees more than it should you will get a check engine light before or instead of a coolant temp light.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by fastball

It's fine..... Where the needle is in reference to the real temperature means nothing. Temp gauges are about the least accurate gauge on the dash board. Some cars are calibrated to show right in the middle when at full running temp, others show below half. So long as you're not significantly into the extremes you are fine.

I agree. The gauge is probably designed to settle at a position close to center but err on the lower side if not dead center. This is not meant to be a precision device.

What's more important is to get familiar with the behavior of this needle. In LA your job is a little easier because your ambient temperature will be more uniform throughout the year. Basically the gauge should climb to a certain position within a certain time and stay there unless you let the vehicle cool. Once the engine is warmed up, if the needle fluctuates you likely have a problem with either the gauge itself or the cooling system (thermostat, fans, etc.).

[Ant_ss]

So much good info guys. Much appreciated.

[bballr4567]

Trust me even if the car hits 260 the needle will barely move. Look at the actual temperature into the DIC.

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by STEVE41

DIC on the V6 1LT actually show the coolant temp? my 1ss doesn't even do that.

Yeah, it does. Along with transmission temp (I have the M6), and oil temp, but these things usually have to be turned on. Check in the settings of yours, there may be a box you need to check to see it.

Whiskey