Cold weather and the temp gauge

[SmellyTofu]

Has anyone been able to drive for 10km and still have the temp gauge fall below the 75°C mark? I think I have a thermostat problem because I've never remembered being able to affect the temperature gauge that much with the heater on and a few k's of very light throttle.

[Bernard Siong]

mine does the same
its been doing it ever since we got the car 2md hand so i thought it was normal

sometimes i drive about 10mins and the needle still stays down

[CJB]

Mine can take a while to heat up too. But usually by the 10/15 min driving mark it's at its usual position.

The engine sounds funny when it's cold...

[SmellyTofu]

I "don't" think it is normal. The cooling system in the Astra I think is quite poor and barely adequate. This morning I didn't use the heater and the temperature floated about the 85 to 90 mark. As much as I like to have warm air in the cabin, I just am weary of stamping the loud pedal when I need to and resist damaging the engine.

If nothing, I feel it uses more fuel when the engine is colder (for obvious reasons).

[rjastra]

Must be something wrong with your car smelly.... my temp gauge never gets thgat high.. no matter what the temp is outside. Then again I have the 2.2 that may have an uprated cooling system.

[low astra]

maybe its just the operating temp of the motor????

[SmellyTofu]

RJ, I know the 2.2 runs cooler than the 1.8 (I've gotten to close to 100 during the 40+°C days) but it's the lower temp than normal is the thing that worries me even though I don't give it any stick to and from work.

[low astra]

dude i think its just the colder weather dont worrie 2 much

[JR]

yeah...it should b fine. mine hovers around 70-80 on my 1.8L. likes to stick to 80 though.....no matter what the outside temp is. n dats despite me driving with a heavy foot!!! with the heater on aswell.

[Mr Cali]

Mine takes about 10KM to get to around 80 degrees in the mornings, but doesnt go below 80.

rjastra I'd be a little worried if my engine didnt get to 75degrees, means that the engine is never really warmed up and you could be doing damage to your engine. Should be at least 75