The Cummins soon to take on the Ike

I have a feeling the manufacturers are not all displaying actual water and fluid temperatures on their gauges. I think they want the engines and oil to run hot and if they display accurate numbers the service departments would be swamped with people complaining that their truck is running too hot. I added a temperature gauge on my Ford and once the water reaches the mid point of the temperature gauge (at about 170*) the gauge quits moving. IE at 213* it is still exactly in the middle of normal. I think even gauges displaying numbers from the factory are not showing accurate temperatures until the fluid is actually too hot .... whatever that is.

I agree. Worked in Commercial heating and A/C and the room thermostats never had numbers just warmer/cooler, otherwise we'd be forever adjusting room temperatures to EXACTLY 72 degrees "because that's what the stat says"