What is the ideal operating temperature for a car?

Question

It's an '86 Civic that I've done some work on. The cooling system is a bit wacky.

Please express your answer as a percentage above or below 'H' or 'C.'

I've rigged up a switch to the cooling fan because it wasn't switching on when it should.

Once I flick the fan on, it holds the temp pretty steady.

When should I turn it on?

Answer 1

well, this is like a trick question? it would depend on your location, modifications, cooling system, etc. assuming your gauge and coolant temp sensor/switch (sensor for the gauge), is correct, then i'd say the gauge shouldn't go over half way? i tried looking at the thermostat on autozone.com and it says that 170, 180, and 195 degree thermostats are all original equipment (i don't believe this, i'd bet it's a 195 or maybe a 180 degree).

it's probably your "Cooling Fan Switch - Radiator" that is not letting the fan come on (it's $16-36) at autozone. i'd recommend replacing the part (that is designed to turn the fans off and on), than to rely on remembering to turn the fan off and on all the time. you might forget to turn it on, and might overheat, or might forget to turn it off, and you run down the battery. also, remember that most hondas are designed to have the fan(s) run on shutoff (not all the time), to cool down the engine.

Answer 2

The usual temperature is about 200 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
Look up and find the correct thermostat for your car's engine.
Check to make sure that that is in fact what your thermostat is rated at.
.
A lot of people replace their thermostats with a lower rating thinking that will make their car run cooler or better.
If your engine needs a 180f stat then that's what you replace it with, if its supposed to be 220 degrees, then thats what you use.
.
Any wackiness may be attributed to the wrong thermostat.
Your engine won't warm up properly which effects when the automatic choke/ enricher shuts off, which affects how well your engine runs. Your engine's computer controls ignition and prevents pre-ignition based on engine temperature, so if the coolant temperature is high the computer will retard your timing.
A car that runs hot will experience pre-ignition big time and this can lead to all kinds of damage.
So,, make sure you have the right thermostat in your engine.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Should be somewheres around 50% to 75% area between the H and C.

Most vehicles today run around 195'F thermostats.

Answer 5

should be right around the middle....may need a thermostat if it is running higher than that, but check to be sure that the radiator is full first

Answer 6

Above the "C" cold and below the "H" hot.
Right around the middle.