If you want to run the engine cooler, change the thermostat and reprogram the thermo fans to come on earlier. Engines vary. If a driver were to start their engine in extremely cold weather, Calkins says they would need to get it up to full operating temperature, which is best accomplished through driving the car … It will never go below this when the engine is on for a decent amount of time 160-170F - Uncommon during normal operation. If we are talking about an engine that can still run safely, 250 degrees Fahrenheit is the answer. When on the highway, the temp can dip down into the mid 170s occasionally when coasting down a hill. In order to achieve this I decided to run a 2 stage BMW temp switch (176/190*F dual temp switch Part # 61318361787) , mounted in … Read on and learn everything you need to know about your car’s temperature gauge. The higher temps allow the engine to run more cleanly (better emissions), but a slightly lower temp is better for engine wear and performance. I wanted the fan to run as it was designed to run in its stock configuration – both fans running in both high and low speed. Safe would be around 190F, 90 C. Commonly a water cooled engine may run at 220F, 105C maybe even 230F, 110C in the summer with the AC on without significant problems. An engine is operating normally when the needle points at the center or near the center of the gauge. The ideal engine temperature should be somewhere between 195 and 220 degrees. Put in new coolant in the radiator and run the engine to burp out all of the air. Of course, factors such as air conditioning, towing and idling at a stop will impact this, but you should be fine if your car is running at anywhere between 190-220 degrees. The normal operating temperature for a modern (e.g., 1996+) automobile engine, manufactured for sale or use in the US, will fall between 200 and 250 degrees F. … Normal engine temperature. If you want to keep the engine nice and cool under high load, an engine oil cooler is ideal. Various parts of the engine can reach different temperatures depending on their location and function inside the engine. Meanwhile, if we are referring to the highest temperature before an engine ultimately stops working, it can reach 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The thermostat you should use in your vehicle is a 170 degree for summer and 180 degree for winter. If you need further assistance with changing your thermostat , then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you. The only problem you will have is in the winter months, it will take a lot longer for your engine to heat up to operating temperature. The car can run fine without a thermostat, it will not overheat because of the missing thermostat. 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