Normal temp?

[74baggedbug]

Is this normal temp for in town driving with a/c on & 100 degree temp? Sorry for the post but this is my 1st summer with a/c in my truck and wanted to make sure it's ok.. Before a/c the needle would hardly move... thanks

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[Lee H]

Anywhere between the two hash marks is considered normal. That being said, the gauges are not very accurate, more of "about" than anything. The normal for different trucks is in different places. Mine reads a little lower when hot with the AC on and the actual temp with an IR gun is 185ish. Without the AC it hangs around the first hash mark. Sometimes in stop and go traffic with AC it will creep up a to about your level and the second fan will come on. To really know for sure I check it at various gauge levels with an IR gun. I also have a mechanical gauge in the engine compartment that I used to check out all the time. As my system is very stable I only look at it if my inside gauge looks odd or if I raise the hood right after driving and it's really hot outside.

[Don Quixote]

I have found that if the needle picks a spot and stays there, I should be good, right? I finally got the right sending unit for the guage and my reading went from where it is on yours to about 3/4 the way up. I was scared when I first hooked it up and thought I had more issues but then it picked a spot and stays there about all the time.

I does make me wonder if I should be running the 180deg thermostat instead of the 195deg.