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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 08:17 PM
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Yesterday took my 2015 on a trip from Hampton Va to Youngstown OH. When I started the outside temp was 35 as the trip progressed the temp dropped to as low as 9. I noticed the coolant temp would drop to 151 and the yellow caution marks on the tach would drop to 5000 rpm till the engine temp would climb again. My speed was around 70-75 most of the time. I also noticed as the outside temp dropped my volts went up to 15.3 and stayed there till the outside temps started to rise into the 20's and 30's. Is this normal. My volts today with temps in the high 30's were more in the 14 and would drop after running into 13.5 range so everything seems to working properly. Thanks
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 08:18 PM
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Why the hell would you go to Youngstown OH? I’m forced to go there for work, would never choose to go there.
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by JUICEBOX
Why the hell would you go to Youngstown OH? I’m forced to go there for work, would never choose to go there.
Actually, I bought a part for the Vette from a forum member and need to pick it up was worth the trip
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Jmhornz71
Yesterday took my 2015 on a trip from Hampton Va to Youngstown OH. When I started the outside temp was 35 as the trip progressed the temp dropped to as low as 9. I noticed the coolant temp would drop to 151 and the yellow caution marks on the tach would drop to 5000 rpm till the engine temp would climb again. My speed was around 70-75 most of the time. I also noticed as the outside temp dropped my volts went up to 15.3 and stayed there till the outside temps started to rise into the 20's and 30's. Is this normal. My volts today with temps in the high 30's were more in the 14 and would drop after running into 13.5 range so everything seems to working properly. Thanks
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it as long as your C7 continued to perform properly. A vehicle's readings are bound to vary from the norm a bit when being operated in 9 degree temps.
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Jmhornz71
Actually, I bought a part for the Vette from a forum member and need to pick it up was worth the trip

In that case, I can see it as a good trip.
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 08:40 PM
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i drive mine year round in MA and that is normal behavior. once it reaches around 163 its goes aways. however today for example it was 6degrees and it would hover around 165-170 and if it went below 163 the caution light would come on.
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Old Jan 27, 2022 | 09:14 PM
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Amazing
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 05:42 AM
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Sounds like your car is performing as intended.
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 06:42 AM
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Very normal. I don't drive mine below 40 degrees but with the aftermarket larger radiator / added coolant capacity the coolant temp drops to 160 @ cruising speeds which brings up the yellow caution. Markers on the gauge.

Then they go away obviously when stopped at a light idling above 170 degrees temp.

OP do you get any knock or hard starting in those Ambient temps???
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Bal2de
Very normal. I don't drive mine below 40 degrees but with the aftermarket larger radiator / added coolant capacity the coolant temp drops to 160 @ cruising speeds which brings up the yellow caution. Markers on the gauge.

Then they go away obviously when stopped at a light idling above 170 degrees temp.

OP do you get any knock or hard starting in those Ambient temps???
No problems starting during this trip as the car never sat long enough to cool way down. When at home and the temp drops into the 20's it takes longer to crank before it fires up.
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 07:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Bal2de
Very normal. I don't drive mine below 40 degrees but with the aftermarket larger radiator / added coolant capacity the coolant temp drops to 160 @ cruising speeds which brings up the yellow caution. Markers on the gauge.
Yep. My build has a 160 degree thermostat and unless it’s above 80’degrees outside my engine temp rarely gets above 160.

Don’t worry about it. It’s actually better for your engine to run cooler.
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 07:55 AM
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That seems low for operating temp but consensus is that's normal. I don't use car in winter but if I did I would close the vent doors on either side of the rad fan. I think there are 4 on each side they can either swing open in the wind or you can snap them closed with a click. Remember to reopen in spring.
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 01:29 PM
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If you had the defrost running then the a/c compressor would go on to de-humidify the air.
Once the ac engages, I believe the evaporator fan goes on pulling air through the radiator.
That would drop engine temp and cause the alternator to increase voltage for the added power draw
with the interior and exterior fans running.
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Old Jan 28, 2022 | 03:48 PM
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Yea it was on the dual setting for defrost and the floor. I hadnt thought about that Thanks
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Old Feb 1, 2022 | 03:38 PM
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I think All cars, people and animals operate differently at 9 degrees? heck I don't go outside if its 9dgrees? or 25 degrees or even 30 is risky.

Several folks bragging about driving year round- great job! I do too! seems like the right thing to do since our temps are rarely below 40 in south Texas.

Drive safe



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Old Feb 1, 2022 | 09:01 PM
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Hoping OP has A/S tires on his car.
GM warns that original PSS can crack if driven below 20'F. Not always, but sometimes.
And of course, grip is pretty crummy on dry roads and almost hopeless in snow.

Our 2017 Z51 warms up coolant and oil to 170'F or higher in any temp.

The pic was taken at -12'F, though we were driving slowly so not a lot of blast through the radiator. On A/S Michelins.
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Old Feb 7, 2022 | 12:02 PM
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WOW! a car that can be driven when it's not summer! Who would have thought it was possible? ME!
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Old Feb 7, 2022 | 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by jaki30
If you had the defrost running then the a/c compressor would go on to de-humidify the air.
Once the ac engages, I believe the evaporator fan goes on pulling air through the radiator.
That would drop engine temp and cause the alternator to increase voltage for the added power draw
with the interior and exterior fans running.
The fans running won't cool the engine, that's what a thermostat is for.
If that were true just driving over 40 would cool the engine below it's target.
It shouldn't matter how cold it is outside, again, that's what a thermostat does.
Mine stays at 190 whether it's 9 degrees or 90 degrees outside.
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Old Feb 7, 2022 | 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by orca1946
WOW! a car that can be driven when it's not summer! Who would have thought it was possible? ME!
And it can be driven in the rain and snow without melting
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Old Feb 7, 2022 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by JUICEBOX
Why the hell would you go to Youngstown OH? I’m forced to go there for work, would never choose to go there.
lmao juicbox!! Yea I’m the guy John bought the part from in Youngstown Ohio. I can’t argue with you……I always ask my wife what the hell are we doing here!!
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