My 2009, CR170 at 36,000miles is much slower to warm up than I remember it when new. At todays fairly low temperatures (4c) the temp gauge has barely moved after 5 miles, though some heat is beginning to warm up the interior. Is this probably a thermostat issue and is it an easy job for the local garage rather than my main dealer?

20 years ago this used to be a very common problem and changing stats after 3 years was 'usual' I think.

Brian

How are you driving the car Brian?

I can quite easilly do about 7 miles with the gauge only moving about a ¼. These engine need to be under load (not thrashed, just more than on tick over) to generate enough heat in them for the gauge to reach 90º.

Mostly very relaxed driving, low revs, and mainly town driving at moment. No different really since the car was new and I just remember that as I bought it new in a February (2009), I am sure it warmed up very much quicker . I'm not looking for the gauge to get to a normal position that quickly but I would like it to move significantly and the car to even warm up quicker inside. Now I am relying more on the heated seats!

I haven't looked closely as to what distance the gauge reaches normal but will do so tomorrow morning as have an early start 140 mile journey , with full load.

Brian

Retrofit the electric heater: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/220727-option-code-or-part-number-for-ptc-heater-element/

Almost the first thing I'll be doing when my Superb is delivered.

Note that the temperature gauge lies. It's more of an idiot light than an actual gauge. Mine shows 90degC when the water is anything between 75 and 95 (as confirmed by climatronic diagnostics and a scanguage).

Don't think it is a particular issue possibly just the ambient temperate level - mine heats up at a similar rate and always has done, like you i have the heated seats so don't find it a problem!

I have found that with this engine if you are not driving at a good steady speed, 60 - 70mph, it takes ages to warm up in these arctic conditions. I do a 12 mile commute to work, first 6 miles on a B road at 40 - 50mph and the needle hardly moves, the rest is a dual carriage way at 60 - 70mph and the needle quite rapidly get to 90 and stays there. I have had a slow drive to work once on a very cold day and due to bad traffic and an accident I never got over 40mph once and the car only got up to 80 degrees C, A lad i work with has a Passat with the same engine and we were only saying today how cold they run, I wouldn't worry about it to much.

I would say this is normal. At temps 3 degrees C and below my temp gauge will take a good 15 miles of 40-60mph driving to reach normal temp and will only take 6 miles at 60-80mph, it takes less time/distance at higher ambient temps as you would expect. However the car will be 4 years old this year and I've only owned it since Aug 2012 so no previous to compare against.