# Gauge temperature needle doesn’t settle in the middle of C and H upon warming up **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** is-300, lexus\ **Created:** [February 23, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gauge-temperature-needle-doesn-t-settle-in-the-middle-of-c-and-h-upon-warming-up/194418 "2024-02-23T22:07:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gauge-temperature-needle-doesn-t-settle-in-the-middle-of-c-and-h-upon-warming-up/194418/1 "2024-02-23T22:07:58Z")
![IMG_7470](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/b/4/b4a5e223f7748914ec99ac7566a07034ed0b35a8.jpeg) Hello everyone ! Now, I’m not sure if my mind is playing trick on me as to why I’m just now noticing this immediately after taking my car to the Lexus dealership for spark plug replacement and an oil change. In the mornings I remote start the car for it to warm up in this cold winter, and no matter how long the engine stays on for, the temperature needle stays exactly where shown in the picture above. Then as I drive off the car for about half mile or less, the needle settles in the middle perfectly fine. I’m wondering if this is normal and I’m just noticing this since owning the car? ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gauge-temperature-needle-doesn-t-settle-in-the-middle-of-c-and-h-upon-warming-up/194418/2 "2024-02-23T22:12:09Z")
Probably best to use a scan tool to get an accurate report of the engine coolant temperature. In other words don’t depend entirely on the dash gauge. The dashboard gauges used on modern cars are often just an approximate representation of an actual gauge. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gauge-temperature-needle-doesn-t-settle-in-the-middle-of-c-and-h-upon-warming-up/194418/3 "2024-02-23T22:17:21Z")
Agree with George. If the engine was running too cool and taking too long to warm up it likely would set an error code. Check it with a scanner and I’d also check it with an IR temp reader. It should be getting to 190-198 degrees when warm. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gauge-temperature-needle-doesn-t-settle-in-the-middle-of-c-and-h-upon-warming-up/194418/4 "2024-02-23T22:17:29Z")
I bet that’s normal. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gauge-temperature-needle-doesn-t-settle-in-the-middle-of-c-and-h-upon-warming-up/194418/5 "2024-02-23T23:14:27Z")
On top of the comments above, if no CEL is on and your heater works normal and the engine idles normal, I would not worry too much about it, just keep an eye on it… If it was much higher, we would be having a different conversation… ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 11:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gauge-temperature-needle-doesn-t-settle-in-the-middle-of-c-and-h-upon-warming-up/194418/6 "2024-02-23T23:37:15Z")
Engine coolant temp is one of many facts that can be displayed on an OBD2 code reader, while it is plugged in and whether the engine is running or not. I would trust that reading over the gauge, if there is a difference. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2024, 4:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gauge-temperature-needle-doesn-t-settle-in-the-middle-of-c-and-h-upon-warming-up/194418/7 "2024-02-24T04:54:55Z")
The thermostat could be starting to fail and is not fully shutting off the coolant flow. Is the upper radiator hose hot when the gauge shows below normal temperature? ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2024, 4:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gauge-temperature-needle-doesn-t-settle-in-the-middle-of-c-and-h-upon-warming-up/194418/8 "2024-02-25T04:35:15Z")
I think it is trying to tell you to stop trying to warm it up in the driveway and just get in and drive, slowly until it warms up.