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It's dipped down into the teens and 20's here finally and my car doesn't really get warm. According to my temp gauge, in my 5 mile drive to school in the morning it might hit 150*F. Driving around town it will rarely get above 160* and on the interstate for 4 hours miiiiight get to 200* if it's above 50* outside. So, in turn it takes a while for my heater to start blowing more than just lukewarm air.

Do I just need to put a piece of cardboard over my radiator? Thermostat stuck open? Anyone else have the same problem?

Sounds like my car when my thermostat was messed up. I threw in a new 195* stat and it got to 180 within a few miles. A new thermostat is like $10 plus coolant, so it's worth a shot. If that doesn't help, blocking the grill or radiator sounds like the next step. Your car probably won't get up to 195 in your drive, but should get a little higher than you're seeing.

didnt think cardboard over the rad was still done. I haven't done it in 20 years. Is it good for the car?

While card board may work as a band-aid, I think there is something else going on that would fix it. Last winter I drove my car in -20 temps and it warms up just fine. I'd say replace the thermostat like Ed said. Do you start you car at all before you leave?

The first thing to check is the coolant level. A new thermostat will not help if you are leaking or burning the coolant off.

New thermostat.

I have the upper grille blocked off on my LeSabre for aerodynamics. The car heats up quickly as a side benefit.

I would not use cardboard on the radiator, here's why - if the cardboard gets wet it will deteriorate and it could plug the cooling fins of the radiator. In the old days(60's) we would use a small piece of carpet and that would last 3 or 4 winters.

ROD

I wouldn't put cardboard in front of the air conditioning condenser. If your car gains any speed through the air, the pressure is pushing that cardboard against the condenser, causing it to flex. I would thing that would lead to leaks in the AC eventually.

I'd fix the thermostat.

Blocking air flow is fine if your in sub-freezing climates. If 20F is the coldest it gets, a new stat should help. If we're talking -20F, then block off some air flow (block 1/2 to 3/4 of full air flow). But you MUST be conscious of the blockage and watch the temp gauge when it gets warmer (20F+).

Sounds like I'll pick up a new thermostat when I get some free time. We'll see how that works and I might end up with cardboard also. It will get to well below zero here in the coming weeks. I know I'm not leaking or burning any antifreeze off, I did the LIM gasket replacement deal a couple of months ago so I've been watching my coolant level fairly close.

Don't get cardboard, get something weather resistant. A corrugated plastic sign cut to size would be ideal since the plastic used is rigid, lightweight, and very heat-resistant.

Mine has always done this. I have replaced coolant temp sensor and Tstat several times with no change (even tried dealer parts$$).
In the winter I often get a P0128 code (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature).
I suspect my problem might be with the cooling fans because they seem to run all the time - even when engine is cold.
I haven’t gotten around to tracing it down any further.

I used cardboard once when I lived in colorado. the thermostat was bad but when its -20*F and then you have 40mph winds, sustanined winds 24/7, replacing it is not an option atleast for me. The car would get down to around 60-75*F on the highway. That was actually the point when i pulled over got my 10mm ready and stuffed the cardboard in front. Car still took forever to warm up but atleast once it did it stayed warm. And yes watch the temp gauge because I was WOT for a while playing with a Honda and It got up to around 230*F before I noticed it and let off the gas to let it cool.

I threw a new 195* thermostat in last night before I headed to work. The old one was definitely stuck open, smacking it on the work bench wouldn't even get it to pop loose and close. In the couple miles to work it got to about 200* and stayed there. It's a balmy 16* this morning so we'll see how it does on the way to the school.