is this overheating or normal temp?

[greenasgrass]

when driving around my car is in the 185 degree area, but if i sit idling it can reach almost 210 degrees ! is this normal? i think i read a '97 firebird has a 195 deg. thermostat, if so would swithching to 180 deg thrmostat or a manual fan switch help?

thanks!

[CARdiac]

You car's thermo is 195, and the fans do not come on until roughly 210 (could be wrong but I know I am close) so, yes that is normal. If you put in a lower thermo the lower number will drop but the fans will still come on at the higher temp, unless you put in a fan switch or a computer mod.

[bu-bye]

I took my car in because I though it was a little high (210~). The dealer said as long as its not in the red your fine. I felt better after hearing that.

[Andy H]

once my car runs warms up it stays @ 210 all the time

[magic1872]

when i first got my 99 bird back in Feb it ran always right on 210 after i did a few mods, it dropped about 10* so now it run about 200. So yeah its normal

[Only4U]

without my help, my car usually stays under 195 unless i just let it sit somewhere for a while,then it can get up to 210--but i don't let it sit like that ever; with my help (fan switch) i could keep my car between 160-180 all day long, regardless of if i'm in the big city traffic or not.

[ravenp]

Mine doesn't normally go up to 210, but occasionally in stop and go it does, even with my 180 thermo. After my disapointing times at the track, and seeing how poorly the car performed when running that hot, i'm going to put in a manual fan switch asap!

I don't think the cars should run at 210 normally... thats just high.

[Only4U]

oh ya, and where i live, at 2 in the morning the temperature is still above 90 and humidity is above 80%, so my car gets to be driven around in some of the worst conditions, yet i can still maintain a reasonable temp all the time...

[Shadly]

Don't sweat it. I think the boiling point of a 50/50 mix is around 250. Probably more.

[Dominic]

You won't/shouldn't blow a head until 250degF or higher, and so 210-220 is somewhat safe.

I personally prefer to be in the 165-185 range, no higher and no lower, for maximum power/fuel efficiency.

All you need is a larger radiator and 160 or 180 thermostat, and your fans will never need to kick on again!

[LiquiDCooL]

i will tell you this though if you get that 160 deg thermo you will still hit 190-200 while standing still at the light but i drive my car all day and at the end of the day i park and the thermo says 180 or less.... that was just for your info, i like it though. (havent had any problems either) laters, LiquiD