Stupid question about gauges

[kyle_in_rure]

For as long as I've owned my expedition (5 years), the temperature gauge needle will slowly migrate to about 1/3 up the dial and stay there and never fluctuate as long as the engine is running. The oil gauge will go halfway up the dial and stay in the same place, no matter what. Now I've never had an overheating situation or an oil issue , but in some other vehicles I've been around these two gauges will fluctuate a bit it seems, whereas mine don't at all.

Are these gauges actually telling me anything useful or are they just idiot gauges?

 

[docraymund]

The oil pressure gauge is all or none. It does not tell the actual reading. The temp gauge is accurate.

 

[0xowner]

ur temp gauge should be 1/2 way... may the thermostat is missing...

 

[reece146]

Most modernish vehicles have "idiots lights" replaced with "idiot gauges".

For example, when an overheat condition occurs the gauge will swing from normal plus a little bit to off the gauge and the "check gauges" light and beep will trigger in the panel. At least, this is how it works with Jeeps. Haven't had a big event in my Ford yet.

Most seem to have semi-normal temperature up to normal operating temperature plus a few percent.

If you are curious about what is really going on get a bluetooth or wifi obd-2 dongle and hook it up to your phone/tablet. The OBD-2 data stream will have the real temperatures and pressures.