Quote Originally Posted by Daox View Post
The car likely was warmed up, just not fully up to temperature. Without something like a scangauge you'd never really be able to tell what your exact temperature is.
Yeah, even the old cars that had their gauges calibrated in degrees were not that accurate. However, there are still a number of cars and trucks with temp gauges that show relative changes very reliably - like when when a lower temp thermostat is installed or one fails open. You can tell on these cars whether or not it is reaching the target/"normal" operating temp. Though more are probably like the Aveo and keep the gauge for the "coolness" factor even when it doesn't tell the driver much more than what an idiot light could.

I was kidding about saving $/car, even though GM probably could. I still prefer the gauge because, unlike an idiot light, it's easier to notice when it has failed. How many people do you suppose actually check for missing idiot lights before they crank their engines? But then, I also appreciate the tachs that are left on automatics even when there are no sports shifting options.