Toyota RAV4 2002 Engine temperature normal?

[dtaker]

Hello folks. We're deciding to get a used RAV4 2002 unit. We've already test driven one and we're totally impressed

Except for one thing.. The temperature gauge needle is always at the middle between the redline and the bottom(nasa gitna parati..) no matter what we're doing, idle, performance driving etc. Except when engine is off of course and a few moments after starting(umaangat pa lang ung needle). Maybe it's trying to maintain a temperature..

Anyway, we currently own a '94 Lancer GLXi where during normal operations, the needle is below midpoint in the gauge. So we're not used to the RAV4's temp behavior.. Either the gauge be interpreted differently or actually operating at higher temperatures(good or bad?)

Is it normal? Is it how new engines operate? Or is there something wrong?! Is there a risk of potential overheating? Gusto lang naming makasiguro bago kunin ung unit

Off topic question: does RAV4 got great reliability as I'm reading in most reviews? Despite the fact na mas maraming CR-V's sa kalsada.. THanks!

[niky]

It's a good car. Handles better than the CR-V, too.

Most cars will keep the needle in the middle. Some lower, some exactly at midpoint. Since the temperature gauge is not scaled (no marks as to what exactly the temperature is), what's normal will vary from car to car.

And yes, most modern cars will try to maintain a certain temperature. Some older cars may get cooler in cold weather or on the highway at low rpms, especially if the thermostat has been removed, but new cars will try their best to strictly maintain a set temperature, to keep the engine warm. This is because cold running often causes higher emissions of pollutants.

[meledson]

Mga "newer" model cars, typically malapit sa gita na ng temp ang needle. Pag on ng makina, medyo mataas ang rev nito para maabot ng makina kaagad ang optimal operating temp. Once na naabot na ito, bababa na ang rev to a typical position under 1,000 rpm.

[Autobeat]

dtaker, it's normal that the temp needle is at the halfway mark in the gauge signifying it's ideal running temp. Well, at least for our Rav as well.

So anytime it's below that, you know it's not yet warmed up to it's ideal temp, and anything above that indicates higher than normal temp.

[speedyfix]

that's normal behavior

[dtaker]

Thanks all for the advice. Nag test drive na lang uli kami ng isa pang RAV4, and same din ung temperature. So we have to admit, napag iiwanan na kami.. lol!!

True Niky, ung RAV4 ang ganda ng handling, parang kotse, powerful brakes, accelerates as fast as our '94 lancer glxi, can corner hard, and rolls only little.. Unbelievable for an SUV.

Anyway, we also considered CR-V, pero despite na mas mura sya, mukang mas ok ung RAV4. Kasi when looking for used cars, di na gaano nagkakalayo ung price. Same reliability lang daw according to research pero mas mura maintenance ng RAV4 at mas ok daw for off-roading. Looks cute too.

Thanks!