He is correct. That is exactly where it should be :banana:

 

Yep. That's the normal operating temp of the engine. The fact that it stays in the same place means your radiator & cooling system are doing their job. You should worry if it doesn't go up at all or if it starts to go above that point in the center. As long as it does what you say it's doing, you're in good shape.

 

Yeah it sounds good, you have to realize that the temperatures inside the engine and coolant are so much higher than the outside ambient temperatures that ambient temperature rarely has an impact on engine temperature at NOT. It's only when the engine is cold that it ambient temperatures have an impact.

 

Want to try an interesting test? Get the car up to temperature then shut off the key to stop the engine but turn the key back so the guages give you readings.

You will see the temperature go up above the running temperature. That is becaue with the engine not running, the cooling system isn't circulating and removing heat.

That will give you confidence that the guage is working.

Hope this helps

PeteCal

 

The reason it doesn't move much is that when your coolant temperature gets up to normal operating temp, the thermostat opens, allowing the radiator to do its job. It doesn't come back down, though, because when the coolant cools off enough, the thermostat closes again. This all happens over a range of just a few degrees, not really enough to make your gage change. If you look very closely, you will see it does move something like a sixteenth of an inch or so... barely perceptible.

If it starts staying low, your thermostat is stuck open; if it goes high, you either have a radiator that isn't working effectively anymore (partially blocked, perhaps) or the thermostat is stuck closed.

 

Hi,

I want just to add, that - given by engine design theory and practice - the optimal coolant working temperature of a running engine is 83degrees C (181.5 F), so this is the value Your cooling systems maintains, like excellently described by other memebers above.

best wishes, Attila

 

This has nothing to do with having a good cooling system

The temp. indicator on Elantras' and so many normal cars, is NOT a real mechanical gauge, it's just an idiote LIGHT made to look like a gauge, and has only 3 major settings, off, normal, and simply way too hot!!
so as soon as the temp. is normal, it just goes there and stays, unless a MASSIVE increase in temp. takes place.
If you hook up a proffesional REAL MECHANICAL temp gauge, which are expensive, you'll see how much the temp. fluctuates, and how often, an idiote light-fake-gauge can't show that. That's why the temp gauge always reads the same....that mechanic at the dealer is ignorant.

 

I don't know if I agree with that. When my car warms up in the morning, I can watch it slowly move from Cold to just below halfway. I can't believe they would make a fake gage do that. Also, if I start it up warm, it zooms past halfway, then comes down to the normal spot.

 

no regular economy cars, even mid-level cars come with a REAL mechanical gauge. They're all fake "lights" (same priniciple) made to look like a gauge. Check some prices on a good REAL mechnical temp or oil pressure gauge (which are also just an **** light on most cars), and you'll see why.

a car with a true mechanical gauge will never be available under $30,000 or so, imo. You should inform your self: a good mechanic, or someone from a more technically knowledgable forum will be happy to explain to you. I'm not an expert, but I do know about this specific situation, thru similar experiences, and repairs.

 

Ellie, you couldn’t be more wrong.

While you are correct in stating it not to be a mechanical gauge, BUT, the variable resistance coolant temp sensor at the engine creates a variable voltage signal to the gauge, which indicates the temperature changes quite correctly.
The reason while the temperature fluctuation is so minimal is the fact that the thermostat is on the return side of the radiator. When the thermostat opens at the necessary temperature, it mixes the cooler radiator temp coolant with the circulating engine coolant, and therefore maintains a more or less even engine temperature.