My temp gauge needle (stock analog) usually quickly goes to the left center position when starting the car. Today I noticed that whether the engine is cold or hot, the needle starts at C and slowly creeps to the left center position. Plenty of coolant, no overheating, heater and a/c work fine. Is this the sign of a problem?

 

Is it possible that the thermostat is stuck open? That would make it take longer to warm up.

 

How would I check?

 

Good question. I'd probably just buy one and replace it, provided it wasn't too difficult.

 

A bit of an update. Previously, the needle on the temp gauge immediately went to the position just left of center. A few days ago, it started reading all the way to "C" at start and then slowly creeps up to normal temp. Maybe takes 2-3 minutes, tops. The heater works immediately. When the engine is warm, shut off and stared back up, sometimes the gauge immediately goes to the normal temp and sometimes it starts at C and moves to normal within 1-2 minutes. This is also true if I just to the key to run and not actually start the car.