Chevy Silverado is a special brand of a vehicle with incredibly convenience-oriented features. This truck is designed with automatic climate control. It means the system can monitor and keep a tab on the temperature level inside the car. When an engine runs coolly and at a normal temp, it produces amazing performance on and off-road. Nonetheless, Chevy’s operating temperature can get overboard. So, the question is, ‘what is normal temperature Chevy Silverado engine should run?’
What is Chevy Silverado Normal Engine Temperature?
How hot should a Chevy Silverado run? This is one of the questions I’ve tackled in my last two decades as an auto expert. To answer your question: a Chevy Silverado engine can run a temperature range of 195 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some people prefer to run between 185oF and 220oF. Anything outside this range can be detrimental to the overall functioning of your truck engine.
You may be unlucky that your Chevy’s dash temp gauge won’t show the exact level of engine hotness. Nevertheless, most Chevy models have calibrations that show the cold and hot states of the engine. These markings typically remain on the edge of the gauge. For normal temp, the needle stays in the middle of the gauge.
If you run the air conditioner or heater, the gauge needle can go up and down intermittently. But it is abnormal for the gauge to rise indiscriminately and it calls for concern. You may need to keep an eye on the movement of the gauge needle as you drive. Once there is an issue with the coolant temperature sensor, the engine will run a little hotter than normal. I’ll explain this shortly.
Supposing I change the radiator…?
But suffice if the gauge is too cold, it portends a danger. A not-too-hot gauge is a sign that the cooling system is having a serious issue. Typically, the engine is supposed to get hot a few minutes after your turn it on. However, the radiator which hosts the coolant helps to cool it down. Likewise, the fans blow cool air to keep the heated engine cool. If this mechanism fails, the car fuses can blow up leading to the engine burning up in the process. The damage can be dire on the components, causing severe costs for you.
Once you change a blown radiator, also endeavor to inspect every connection of the hoses that house the coolant. The heater and AC coolant hoses, like other connections, need your attention. They may have been damaged, cracked, blown, or over-expanded. Check the fans as well as the level of coolant in the radiator.
What Causes Chevy Temperature to Rise
There are many reasons the temperature of a car can rise. If the cooling system leaks, the water pump breaks, the hoses are blocked and corroded, or the radiator spoils. Let me talk about the most fundamental and critical reason your Chevy temp can rise. A failed coolant temperature sensor is responsible for all other temperature-rising issues.
Like in most cars, the Chevy coolant temp sensor (CTS) is located around the engine thermostat, right behind the coolant pipe. The flat-pointed end of the sensor sits right next to the engine coolant.
The sensor is designed to calculate the amount of temp that is dissipated by the engine coolant and thermostat. When the temp leaves the coolant, it heads straight to the on-board control system which sends a signal to the computer.
The computer system of your vehicle will then use the signal to make the vehicle engine run at normal temp. Once the temperature from the CTS gets to the control system, the system can cause the cooling fan to come on or shut off.
What if the coolant temp sensor fails…?
Now, if the CTS fails, a few symptoms ensue. First, the Chevy engine overheats as the check engine light illuminates. But there are other issues that can trigger these symptoms.
FAQs
Is 200oF too hot for a Chevy car?
No, 200oF isn’t an excessively hot temperature range for a good Chevy engine to run. But a lot of factors go into it. Most professionals believe that a car engine can operate in the range of 195 to 220. Always watch the needle on the fuel gauge on the dash.
The weather condition in which you drive and the state of your truck engine are two critical factors to consider. If the weather is temperate, your Chevy auto climate control system will regulate it. A high-mileage Chevy engine may need an operating temperature lower than 200.
To get the right reading on the markings, the fluid should be at normal level. The operating temp range of the fluid must be normal, which is 180oF and 200oF (80oC and 93oC).
Can Chevy control its engine temps?
Yes, the recent upgrades on Chevy Silverado are fantastic. One of these is the automatic climate control feature. This built-in temp cooler helps your truck monitor how much of temps get into it and so control it accordingly. It doesn’t matter the weather out there. This feature will make you feel comfortable during your long highway trip or street errands.
Sometimes when you change the radiator of a Chevy Silverado, you may notice a drastic change in the average operating temp. It may take just a few seconds and the temp rises to as high as 216 degrees Fahrenheit. This is common especially when you leave the car idling. When you start driving, the temp gauge needle might drop off to 195oF, cooling off the engine.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article helps you in running your Chevy Silverado at normal temperature. I’m sure you can make an informed decision the next time the fuel gauge needle rises above the middle markings. Every Chevy model comes with an instrumentation panel which contains a vital guide on engine hotness and temperature readings. You’ll do well to checkit to avoid experiencing internal damage to your car’s components and the engine itself.
