Q: My 2013 Chevy Malibu LT 2.5L check engine light is on and temp gauge barely moves up when engine is running.
If the temp gauge was like the gas gauge it would read at 1/8 full. The car normally warms up quickly. The heater air is warm but not as warm as usual. Plenty of antifreeze. Am i damaging the engine by running it this way?
My car has 65500 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
You should have the vehicle checked by a mechanic like one from YourMechanic to see if the code in the computer is from the thermostat stuck open or there is a sensor problem keeping fans on all the time. Running it without getting it fixed may cause the engine to run richer than normal and then foul out spark plugs and O2 sensors. Have vehicle checked and serviced as soon as possible is recommended.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Brakes not working
Hello. I suspect the brake system may not be building adequate pressure. First, verify all the air is out of the brake system by following the specific procedure your vehicle requires to bleed the brakes. Often times, if the specific...
Car trying to start without key in ignition
Sounds like your starter solenoid may be installed incorrectly. The solenoid has several wires going to it. One to the stater, some coming from the battery, and one form the ignition switch. If the wires are connected on the wrong...
Brake lights not working
The brake light switch should be checked for proper operation since it's the most common failure for this issue. The the brake light system needs to be checked for a switch failure and to see if water is getting into...
Windshield is making a popping noise
Hello. The noise that you hear coming from your windshield is likely due to the windshield seal coming loose. This could be fixed by having the windshield resealed. If resealing the windshield does not work, or if this is not...
Car ran fine. I parked it and this morning it has a misfire in cylinders 1,3,4.
This is a common question. We often want to assign an event like parking our car or filling our fuel tank to a specific failure. More often times than not, this is just a coincidence. My response to such a...
Engine cranks when cold but not warm
A scope (oscilloscope) exam during those few minutes after it starts, and while the engine idles roughly, will reveal the cause. It is either ignition or fuel system related. To schedule a rough running engine diagnostic(https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-idle-is-rough-inspection) please feel free to...
Advance Trac dash light comes on and the brakes are applying.
Hi there. When the Advanced Trac light comes on and then the brakes are being applied, this means that the traction control system is active. The traction control is designed to apply the brakes to a wheel when the wheel...
Check charging system light is coming on 2006 Ford Taurus
Hi there - your symptoms suggest that your alternator is not keeping the electrical system properly charged. Low system voltage (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/electricity-gauge-reading-low-voltage-just-charged-my-battery-and-replaced-alternator-in-april-connections-look-good-by-noah) can affect the performance of the engine directly. Poor alternator performance could be a slipping serpentine belt, failed voltage...
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
While While many people thought that Toyota and Honda had taken over the mid-size family sedan market with models like the Camry and the Accord, Chevrolet surprised the whole market with the Malibu. Available with either a four- our six-cylinder...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2013 Mazda CX-5
Key Key Features The Mazda CX-5 has a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine that offers 155 hp at 6,000 rpm. The fuel economy is estimated at 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Radiator
Common signs include leaking coolant, vehicle overheating, sludge, and low coolant.
Browse other content
Services
Cities