As we were starting up the grade, the temp guage read a little on the high side (surprise, surprise). My guage is in degree Centigrade, with only 3 markings, 50, 85, 120 with no indication where the danger area is. The owners manual revealed very little assistance offering only this statement: "The normal running temperature is between 84 C. and 93 C. dependent on ambient temperature." No mention of where one should take precautions and shut down. Judging by the guage spacing we figured it was reading about 105 C. when we decided to abandon plan "A" and head around for flatter ground. The journey home was fine with the temp guage reading about 90-95 C.
I should also point out that the cooling system is operating fine, with a stock fan blade and I've added a coolant enhancer, "Water wetter" that I was told helped keep British cars from overheating (maybe it would have been worse without this). We also resorted to warming our feet with the heater on full blast. The car drove fine through all of this and although we were climbing, we were moving along at a steady 45-50 mph. Nancy was especially concerned about the gauage reading so high, the final straw being the very long line to the ticket booth to enjoy the priviledge of paying $10 to get into the park. Visions of rush hour stop and go in a remote corner of the wilderness didn't set well along with the concern for the overheating problem.
Were we correct to exercise caution at this point? How far is safe on the temp guage? Are all temp guages in Centigrade? Everything else on the car uses traditional english measurements like miles and gallons.
We poke fun at the Miata owners with their tops up on the truly hot days knowing they probably have air conditioning on full blast. Come to think of it, we looked equally silly sweltering in 90+ degree heat with our heater on the "roast" setting. I should point out that a wise sage once suggested British cars should never be driven in 85+ F conditions, they won't do well. This is a good time to use the Toyota.
Anything to enjoy the "Alpine" experience . . . just don't go to Mt. Rainier.
-Craig Burlingame SV Alpine 1967 and the Mighty Minx Twins '55 Mk VIII Minx Convertible '56 Mk VIII Californian