temperature gauge goes to the middle upon startup

I just bought a Toyota Corolla gli 1996 model and I just noticed a while ago that the temperature gauge goes to the middle after a few minutes of starting the vehicle. Is this normal or is there a problem that needs to be fixed? I'm having doubts that the car might overheat anytime.

 

Pretty much like what was said, could be the temperature outside is warm. This can also happen sometimes if the car's cooling isn't very good or maybe the gauge is spoilt. Anyway, if it doesn't go any higher than the middle then there's nothing to be worried about.

 

Yup, it doesn't go any higher than the middle. I tried to teach my girl how to drive in an oval and she was only driving in first gear and the temperature did not move any higher. Maybe I'm just worrying too much.

 

How long did you use it? If the car is normal it should stay at that point no matter how long you drive. Perhaps you should try driving it for an extended period and see if there are changes to the gauge.

 

Hey guys, the car overheated last weekend. Arrg! I drove for 17 kilometers and there was something wrong with the idle. It was too high. Then I noticed the temperature kept on rising. When the mechanic looked at it, the head gasket was already burned. They checked the car out and they found out that the water pump had a leak. It's all okay now. I spent a lot of dollars though.

Still, the temperature reaches just below the middle after 17 kilometers of driving but it now just stays there.

 

Woops, sorry for the super late reply. The gauge reached red. The water was boiling hot when the mechanics looked at the car. I was just in moderate traffic when the car overheated.

It's okay now. I think it will no longer overheat. But I still have a lingering question... Why does the water level in the radiator decrease a little bit when I check it in the morning? I can't see any leak though.

 

Reading through the replies mate, I could well be wrong but have you loomed into head gasket at all? Or even something more simple as thermostat?

Edit: Oops I missed the reply about the head gasket already haha...

 

Yep, but the water level stays a bit in place for a couple of days before going down a little bit.

I'm not so sure about the thermostat. How do I check that?

 

I wasn't aware that the external temperature could affect the temperature gauge. I've always thought that the radiator might need water or something else wrong in the engine.