02 optimal engine temp
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota Florida
02 optimal engine temp
My 02 C5 engine temp fluctuates between 198 when cruising to as high as 220 when in setting at a stop light. Can anyone tell me what is the optimal temp range the engine should be operating in for everyday driving and if mine is running to high what I can do about it? Strangely the engine runs cooler when the AC is on...
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
Originally Posted by stormrider
My 02 C5 engine temp fluctuates between 198 when cruising to as high as 220 when in setting at a stop light. Can anyone tell me what is the optimal temp range the engine should be operating in for everyday driving and if mine is running to high what I can do about it? Strangely the engine runs cooler when the AC is on...
Your temps are normal, imho....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 807
Likes: 21
From: Los Altos CA
I don't think you have a problem. When cruising, at least in cooler air, you engine temperature will be close to the thermostat temperature. However, in traffic, the only real cooling is when the electric fans turn on and that is controlled by the pcm. If the A/C is off, I think the pcm set point is 230-235 degrees. If the a/c is on, the fan will come on more frequently and is likely the engine temperature will be cooler.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
As others mentioned above, your temps appear normal. Following is for model years 2001 to 2004. Earlier model year temp set points are slightly different:
Both cooling fans operate together. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) controls and works in conjunction with a series of 3 relays to operate the two electrical cooling fans together at low or high speeds. The low speed is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 226 degrees F. It is turned off when the coolant temperature lowers to 219 degrees F. The High speed is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 235 degrees F. It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 226 degrees F. When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches 185 degrees F, the low speed will be turned on when vehicle speeds are less than 35 mph.
HTH
Both cooling fans operate together. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) controls and works in conjunction with a series of 3 relays to operate the two electrical cooling fans together at low or high speeds. The low speed is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 226 degrees F. It is turned off when the coolant temperature lowers to 219 degrees F. The High speed is commanded on when the coolant temperature reaches 235 degrees F. It is turned off if the coolant temperature lowers to 226 degrees F. When the A/C is on and the coolant temperature reaches 185 degrees F, the low speed will be turned on when vehicle speeds are less than 35 mph.
HTH
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
I also agree this is normal.
Go to the roadracing section and look at the temps the guys without upgraded cooling run. I saw oil of 295 last year quite a bit and others have seen 320. You'll feel better after that....
Go to the roadracing section and look at the temps the guys without upgraded cooling run. I saw oil of 295 last year quite a bit and others have seen 320. You'll feel better after that....
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Perfectly normal.. Most of us down here in the South have modified our fan settings as well as a 160-180 thermostat. I think when R&D did testing on the LS1 it must have been somewhere up north. The engine was designed this way. I see tons of these posts from new C5 owners , every Summer. The posts or threads go away in October or November.Changing Fan settings and a 160 or 180 degree thermostat will keep it under 200 degrees unless you are in a 2 hour traffic jam in 95 degree outside temps. Water Weter seems to help a little bit too. Fan settings are adjusted by a hand held programmer or a dyno-tune specialist. LS-1 edit etc..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I live near Summit Racing and am going to try some redline water wetter to see if it does anything at all. Anyone found temps are lowered with the wetter?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota Florida
Thanks!!!
Wow, thank you everyone for the great input!!! Living in a resort city I do sometimes get stuck in some pretty bad traffic jams during tourist season, especially if I need to go through one of the tunnels in the area, so I think I will get the settings lowered just to be safe. This was my first posting and I am totally impressed by all of your well thought-out answers!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
CI 7 & 9 Veteran
Welcome to the Forum
Originally Posted by stormrider
Wow, thank you everyone for the great input!!! Living in a resort city I do sometimes get stuck in some pretty bad traffic jams during tourist season, especially if I need to go through one of the tunnels in the area, so I think I will get the settings lowered just to be safe. This was my first posting and I am totally impressed by all of your well thought-out answers!
(if not the best). Welcome to our Corvette Forum. 
