My Nissan Maxima 1998 is not overheating but the temp guage fluctuates. They changed my thermostat yesterday. Am I okay?

Asked by ginlynch226 Aug 09, 2016 at 09:54 AM about the 1998 Nissan Maxima GLE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have had my Nissan Maxima 19989 for eight years. The temp gauge has always been set at less than halfway up the scale. Recently, the guage popped all the way up to the first line which my mechanic noted as 'extreme' and I shut off the car immediately. This happened when i had the AC on. I stopped using the car for a few days but when I got it back on the road I noted that the temperature guage was fluctuating pretty high the scale. So my mechanic cleaned the radiator yesterday and changed the thermostat. He showed me the old thermostat - it was half gone!
I drove the car last night and the temperature guage is fluctuating to below halfway up the scale, to midway up the scale. My mechanic says that is normal. Can I continue driving the car like this?  I have 207 miles on the car but I love this car!

2 Answers
103,215

KenF answered 8 years ago

Keep an eye on the coolant level as low coolant tends to be the biggest reason for temp fluctuations. Every time you have it parked check for leaks/puddles, although coolant loss can occur when in motion or out the tailpipe. As long as you are taking it to a mechanic and he is informed on what's going on, I think you're safe.

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