I've heard normal is between 80 and 100 or so. Mine always ran cool, even on the highway, like around 60 - 80. The only time it creeped above 80 was when I really pushed it going uphill on the highway. But, my thermostat was stuck open I think, and the water pump had a very slow dripping leak (now a deluge I'm afraid). So, up, up and away went the needle.