Is this normal?
Is this normal? This morning was the first cool morning we have had since I got my car. Is it normal for the car to take much longer to get to operating temperature when it is cold outside? Normally I let the car warm up for about 3-5 min and then drive it slowly out of my neighborhood and it hits operating temp as I pull out on the main road. This morning I had to drive almost the entire way to work (5 or 6 miles) before it ever hit operating temp. I did have the heat on, but would that make that much difference?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,629
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
As long as the engine still reaches normal operating temp, then you are fine. If not, then you're likely looking at a t-stat that is stuck open.
PS. I see that you have a '98. '98s are the only year to get a super sensitive temp gage that shows small changes in operating temps. As long as the needle eventually rises near to the first notch, I would not be worried.
