Just thought I'd add that my zetec used to always read right up near the A and L until I replaced the thermostat w/ a 180degree one and now the gauge never moves past the R in normal unless I just have the car idleing and it hasn't moved for a long period of time.

BTW this talk about the cooling fans not kicking in soon enough... there could be some truth to that because before the new thermostat went in, I had the car hooked up to the obd-II scanner and the fan would kick in around 210 degrees and now w/ the new stat, the fan kicks in around 195-200 when the car is running and not moving. Not a big difference but obviously enough to make a difference.