Temp Guages

Hi volvo gurus, Whilst i'm waiting on bits to arrive from gsf I've done a power of reseaching into my new car V40 96 2.0L CD, I've read the posts on the strange star trek like guage but still am confused, Normally i'd expect the temp guage to go to about 90 degrees and stay there. My engine temp guage sits about mid 70s but on a stationary idle it got up to 100 when left for about 10 minutes. if this is indeed an engine sensor rather than a coolant temp sensor then it sounds about right but if is coolant temp I think i need a new thermostat... Could some wise one confim the correct levels? or advise adding to my order... The oil temp has never left cool or cold (cant remember the exact word) i understand this can be normal, but i'd just like to confim this. the fuel guage jumps about, but is there a low fuel warning level and if so how many litres? I apologise in advance as i know this is repeating posts but i still dont get it and am still trying to lay hands on a manual... Many thanks, Laldie

Under normal conditions it will show about 84 C then when you stop in traffic can well go up to 100 when the fan will come on ... then it will drop a little . If you have a long run , turn off the engine and leave the ignition on it could well go up to 120 C due to heat soak . You would barely notice this on a conventional gauge that's why manufacturers use a gauge it doesnt worry the customer as much as a digital readout ! Oil temperature should be around the same as water temperature with quite a time delay before they equalise and if you do a long hard run the oil temp will go well over 100C then come back down to equal the water temp as there is a water/oil heat exchanger on the engine which heats up the oil when the engine is cold and cools the oil when the oil is hotter than the water .... If you do short runs the oil will never get warm . There is a low fuel level warning as the bar gauge resolution is very poor , it will display FUEL in the display as a warning of low fuel ...

Thats a relief, i was becoming obsessed with watching the temp guage... On the fuel guage I think i'll just keep the tank full! Many thanks Clan

In the 400 series the fan is controlled by a thero switch in the radiator so will run until it cools below the threshold whether the ignition is on or off . The T4 has the engine managment computer to control the radiatior fan so when the ignition is turned off so is the radiator fan ...

...so what assistance does the T4 have to cool it down after the ignition is switched off? Am I supposed to wait each time for it to return to 93*C before I turn it off?