Is my temperature gauge high?

I'm wondering if the position of the needle on my engine temperature gauge is in the normal position at normal operating temperature. It seems to me it's running in the higher range compared to most of my previous vehicles. If this looks high to you what should I be concerned with. Vehicle is a 2001 3.4L with auto trans.

 

Im pretty sure thats normal...right in the middle.

 

That's where mine is. My Ultragauge typically reads 190*.

 

Mine is always pointed slightly down.

 

Remember reading somewhere that the sending unit only has 3 settings: low, normal, and high. Really Toyota could have replaced the temp gauge with two indicator lights... like Subaru does. So as long as the needle is near the middle, temp is normal.

 

Yeah I thought the same thing when I bought my 01 in 2013. It's the standard spot for the needle to sit. Instead of visualizing how close the needle is to the "red line", look at where the needle sits in between the "C" and "H". If you look at it that way you will see that the needle sits directly in the middle or just south of middle.

 

I would use this as an excuse to get an entry level OBDII scanner. I have used and really like the Blue Driver. It is my "go to" tool first and every time... quick to install and easy to read things like coolant temp.

 

My needle is in that same spot even when my ultra gauge had my temps up to 212 degrees. I did the "Jiggle valve" mod a couple years back and my ultra gauge has read 190-194 ever since but the needle in the truck was still in the same spot.

 

same spot as mine.

 

Same spot as my 02 pre runner with a supercharged 4cyl

 

Same spot as well

 

Same spot as well.

Be aware, the gauge on our trucks is ridiculously inaccurate.

By the time you see that needle higher, the damage is already done.

Like others posted, a scan gauge or ultra gauge is the only way to know what that true water temp is.

 

Gauges in vehicles are basically just oversized idiot lights. Their needle position is fairly meaningless.

 

Damn you got some cool sensors on the side there mine doesn't have any of that, is your truck a limited

 

Truth. It's up to us to let people know that you can obtain accurate data with a bit of aftermarket hardware.

 

If you are referring to the A/T P and A/T oil temp indicators to the left of the temp gauge then those are on the automatics only. I had a 5 spd and that was missing which is expected. Or are you referring to the area where the cruise control indicator is on?

 

If you really want to know what your coolant temps are, get either a Scan Gauge or a Bluetooth OBD II reader coupled with a phone app like Torque Pro.

 

After my rebuild, the temp gauge reads higher than it did before (still under the Red), I put in a scan gauge and ignore the coolant temp gauge. It shows 3/4 up on my 00 2.7L (idiot gauge), but scan gauge shows 184*.

 

no that is slightly high. i just showed my temperature gauge to my mechanic two days ago. it was in the same spot as yours. he used an infrared temperature gun on my radiator and it had some blockage. it is original 2004. he said it should be slightly below 9 o'clock, or at least dead even. he just said keep an eye on it, and if it goes over 3/4 on the gauge stop immediately and get a new radiator. i'm thinking of getting a new radiator ($450) and trans cooler ($300) installed with new fluid. if you plan on towing or haul heavy things in the bed you should consider the same.. you may have blockage in the radiator.

 

I did add aftermarket gauges that seem to work fairly well...