Hey guys just joined the forum and I just bought a 2016 Diesel summit. I got about 2,000 miles on it. I drive about 3 miles to work everyday(one way). Im getting way below the stated average for fuel mileage 15.8 in my small city. I have been paying closer attention to the gauges more now that i am learning the car a lot better. I have noticed the my temp dopes not want to go above the quarter mark. Even after a nice 15-20 minute drive. temps are not super cold between 30-50 degrees F. I'm thinking it could be a stuck thermostat or something. just curious to know what everyone elses gauge are doing?
whats your normal operating temp?
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Heat output is normal from what I can tell. The thermostat will reach half way tho if I drive it longer then 30-45 minutes tho. I took a picture of where the temp gauge is staying. Not getting reall good gas mileage either 16mpg in the town where I live. Should be around 20 if not way better.
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I have a 2014 and when my engine is at "normal" temperature, it's just a bit higher than yours, but never at the center of the gauge. On occasion (hot days, driving in the mountains), I've seen the needle move above the center, but that is not usual.
As for mileage, I drive very short distances to work and right now mine is at about 18 mpg. On the highway, it gets much much better than that - easily mid 30s.
As for mileage, I drive very short distances to work and right now mine is at about 18 mpg. On the highway, it gets much much better than that - easily mid 30s.
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I have a 2015 Diesel Summit. I noticed it takes much longer to reach full operating temperature (200 - 210 F) than gas engines. My morning trip is 5 miles and it never gets up to full operating temperature. My gas miliage is lousy until the engine gets up to full temperature. I Installed an ODB2 to Bluetooth adapter to get exact tempersture readings (see attached pic in later post) and while at the lower temps I am averaging less than 25 mpg but when I take trips on the highway can get 30+ mpg. FYI, my bluetooth guage read 208 F when the dashboard guage is alittle less than half way to the top.
shouldn't the temp always be at halfway? In all my experience with every car I have had a low temp reading usually means a stuck thermostat. this is what I'm a wondering. is it worth a trip to the dealer to diagnose it? I have a 2010 ml350 diesel and the temp gauge always runs in the center. I also would say I shouldn't have to force the car to warm up to get better MPG. 10-15 minutes is way more then plenty of time to warm up in 20-40 degree days. 0 below ok I understand. I drive in town roads which the roads are 40+ mph. rarely on the highway and have not had any problems with this regeneration that everyone keeps talking about. Sometimes I wonder if the car is doing some type of regen cause the motor will sound a little different.
how long is it when your driving to get it at that temp? dont have experience with summer temps as I just bought the car a couple of months ago.
Every Chrysler vehicle I've had - the "normal" reading is a bit below the halfway mark. The 1998 Dodge Dakota I had, the temperature gauge was laid out in degrees, with 210 or 220ºF being the middle, but the thermostat was 190º, so it never quite made it to the middle. A 2008 Jeep Liberty I had also never quite made it to the center. It seems normal to me. (Same was true for the Toyota Camry I had prior to this my diesel Grand Cherokee - it didn't get quite to the middle). However, I've had other vehicles where the needle would stop dead set at the middle. I suppose a lot has to do with how the maker calibrates it.
In the summer, it doesn't take very long at all to reach that point on the gauge - maybe 5 minutes or so. Even in the winter (I live in Colorado) it'll reach that point in 15 minutes or so, depending on the outside temperature. The needle starts to move off of the fully cold reading usually within a minute or two, even when it is really cold out.
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I attached a pic showing the actual engine, oil, and coolant temperature when my dash display is just shy of the mid point. Based on the research I have done, it seems that running the engine cold results in not all the gas burning in the cylinders - thus lower mpg. In addition, the unburned fuel can seep into the oil and shorten the oil life. My experience seems to mimic those findings. Not only does my fuel economy drop until the engine warms, my oil life is down to about 30% after 5k miles. It wouldn't hurt to ask someone in the service department if what you are experiencing is normal, but my readings and experience seem to indicate it is. I'll keep looking for a better answer because this has been unexpected and frustrating for me as well. Let me know what the dealership service department says if you decide to ask.
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5 to 15 minutes depending on the outside temperature is similar to what I am experiencing, I have the engine block heater, but have not yet used it to see if it reduces the warmup time. if you keep the car in a garage that is slightly warmer them the outside temp, this may help as well.
Update: I timed how long it took for the engine to reach 200 deg. In 30 deg weather it took just over 18 minutes to get to temperature while driving on side roads < 45 mph
as silly as it sound I'm kinda afraid to bring it to the dealer. I don't want them to be messing around and with stuff that they probably don't know either. I have had excellent experience with my cars when I keep them out of the dealerships. A car in the wrong mechanics hand can be really bad. Trust me I know from past experiences. So id figure id ask around to some guys and take it from their. this is a diesel fourm but anyone know is the gasoline versions experience the same temp conditions?
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