coolant temperature
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,036
Likes: 9,798
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
There is a big depends on the normal temperature. What is the speed of the car? Is it sitting still, moving slowly in traffic, going 55 on the highway. With a stock thermo the minimum temps on my C5s ran between 190 and 200 depending on the ambient air temp. In Cold temps I usually saw the 190 reading. On a 90 degree high humidity day at an autocross without a lot of time between runs the temp on my C5Z hit 142 a couple of times after I finished a run.
Bill
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
I assume that "normal" implies driving down the road at a decent speed to allow air to flow through the radiator.
About 195 would be normal. But if you're sitting in traffic the temps can rise into the 230's before the fans kick on, which is "normal" also.
I use an "alternate" option thermo from autozone and the temps stay around 176-180 while driving. Cooler temps and much cheaper thermo than the aftermarket options. (I wasn't looking for 160, just a cooler option).
About 195 would be normal. But if you're sitting in traffic the temps can rise into the 230's before the fans kick on, which is "normal" also.
I use an "alternate" option thermo from autozone and the temps stay around 176-180 while driving. Cooler temps and much cheaper thermo than the aftermarket options. (I wasn't looking for 160, just a cooler option).
