Is it normal for the temperature gauge to show 5 bars?

[McClayton]

It is not normal; 2 to 4 bars are considered normal. If the car's water temperature is too high, it can lead to poor engine cooling and excessive temperature. The expansion of components will reduce the clearance between parts, and the viscosity of the engine oil will decrease at high temperatures, accelerating wear on various components. If not addressed immediately, the engine may suffer severe damage due to overheating. Additional information: 1. Car temperature gauge: The car temperature gauge is marked with the letters "C" and "H" or uses white and red zones to indicate temperature. "C" stands for "cool," while "H" stands for "hot." The water temperature refers to the coolant temperature, and after the engine warms up, a normal reading is usually between 70-90°C. 2. How the temperature gauge works: The sensor of the temperature gauge is a thermistor-type sensor, fixed with threads to the engine's cooling water passage. The thermistor determines the current flowing through the coil of the temperature gauge, which drives the needle to move accordingly.

[CarsonDella]

After driving for so many years, I've always paid close attention to the coolant temperature gauge, as it directly relates to the engine's health. Generally speaking, the scale design of the temperature gauge is well-reasoned, with the middle position usually being the safest. If your car has a total of 10 bars, then 5 bars right in the middle is completely normal. But if there are only 8 bars in total and it shows 5 bars, that's slightly high. During normal driving, the needle should remain steady in the middle range; it's reasonable for it to rise slightly by 1-2 bars when stuck in traffic or climbing hills. Once during summer mountain driving, the temperature suddenly rose to 5.5 bars, and it turned out to be due to insufficient coolant. So don't panic when you see 5 bars—check the total number of bars first before deciding. The key is to observe its stability; if it stays at 5 bars for a long time or moves toward 6 bars, you'll need to check the radiator, thermostat, or coolant circulation.

[VanValentina]

When repairing cars, we often encounter owners anxiously asking about the temperature gauge. In fact, the scale designs of temperature gauges vary greatly among different brands. For example, German cars often use a 4-6 segment range, while Japanese cars may use 5-10 segments. Whether 5 segments is normal depends on the total scale of the gauge. If it's a 6-segment gauge, 5 segments would be dangerous, but on a 10-segment gauge, 5 segments indicate the optimal condition. The optimal working temperature for an engine is around 90℃, corresponding to the middle position of the gauge. I often use a diagnostic tool to read the actual data—if the temperature is between 85-95℃ when the needle points to 5 segments, it's fine. However, if it exceeds 100℃, you should check if the cooling fan is stuck or if there's a thermostat malfunction. It's advisable to feel the upper radiator hose when parking; if it's too hot to touch, it indicates genuine overheating.

[JuniperLynn]

During the last maintenance, the technician taught me how to read the coolant temperature gauge, explaining that understanding it could help avoid major repairs. Each car's temperature gauge has different scales. My own car has 8 divisions, so 4 divisions is the midpoint, and 5 divisions indicates exceeding the limit. However, my friend's Japanese car has 10 divisions, where 5 divisions is actually the ideal state. The key is to observe changes while driving: the needle slowly rises to the midpoint during a cold start, increasing by 1 division in traffic jams is normal, but continuous climbing is a warning signal. I make it a habit to check the coolant level monthly, as too low a level can cause abnormal needle elevation. If the needle consistently stays at 5 divisions, it might indicate a worn water pump or a clogged radiator, requiring prompt attention. Remember, once the needle enters the red zone, you must stop the car immediately.