OK Guys, I have to thow in my two cents here. The only way to know if your car is truely overheating is by using a thermometer with actual gradations on it to check the temperature. The difference in gauge readings mean nothing really. I mean it's as bad as my old Diplomat with 'two notches past C'. As a GM mechanic I see a lot of people complain that their new Cavalier is running hot because the needle in the gauge goes to about 3/4 of it's travel in traffic. When you actually take the temp, it is usually around the 200-210 degree mark with my THERMOMETER (the gauge cluster is electronic and will display whatever setting the computer dictates). Anyway, the GM manual says that the cooling fans should not engage until 230 degrees. I thought this was very hot, but it is correct. The hotter you can (safely) run an engine, the more efficient it is. I have run these cars for 2 hours straight without the cooling fan engageing (sp?). The computer can, and will vary the engine temp through mixture control to keep it at an optimum temp. Remember, if the cooling fan kicks in, you are wasting fuel, which the government frowns on.
Anyway, sorry about the long post, I just felt I had to contribute.
The short answer is 'for the most part, ignore the gauge, unless it goes EXTREMELY into the hot side. It is not much more useful than the old "idiot lights". '
Jeff
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98SE Sport
MTX Trans
Stone Stock.
[This message has been edited by Dr.Dodge (edited December 29, 2000).]
