Why might my car be running hot?

-I'm not very car savvy, so I'm sorry if this is a stupid question. Just answer it if you know. :)



Ok, so I drive a Pontiac Grand Prix and my temperature gauge is like this: http://tinypic.com/r/vnhwt1/7



Normally, and for the longest time, the car stayed on 160 pretty much the whole time. Recently it's been running at 210 but didn't go any higher. I was told not to worry until it got into the red. But today and yesterday it's been running between the 210 and the numberless big line above it. And then this morning it even went between the last big line and the red, but never touched the red and didn't stay high for very long. It's fine on the interstate, but when I'm stopping and going in the city it keeps going high, cooling off, etc.



I've had my low coolant light come on in the past and I added coolant to it, but it's not on now. No light are on and the car is acting fine other than the temperature gauge. It's been a REALLY hot summer in SC so far, but I don't know if that makes a difference. What should I do?If car gets hot at idle and low speed, only, make sure electric Fan comes on. At 210 degrees F---if it Is 210, and thermometer is Right-- it should run Constantly. Also, squeeze the upper radiator hose (Cold!) , it should go down--if not, your thermostat is sticky. You may also have a clogged Radiator,if it doesn't seem to loose water. If it isn't losing Water ( you don't see puddles from beneath car or inside, where heater core is) you have a blown head gasket or crack somewhere.
Dirt and debris in the radiator or if your car has it a bad viscous drive. 160 is too low it should be more like 190 for the emission equipment to work properly.

I wouldn't buy something extra to handle the heat your car was built to handle, you will only have to cure the problem later anyway.
Make sure the radiator is full with water and coolant. Or The air filter could be full of dust and muck, therefore the car is struggling to breath and uses more power/fuel/energy to drive(much like a human body). Also just as a precautionary check the oil is full.
3 things you could do dear. first if it,s just showing hot and it,s not it could be the temperature sending unit acting up. you could flush out the cooling system so it can circulate better and change the thermostat, it might be sticking with you sometimes.
If you ever have to add coolant, you have a leak. Coolant doesn't get "used" up.



Secondly, it sounds like your radiator fan(s) is/are not working correctly. Have the fans checked out for when they are supposed to come on, and when they really do.
You will need to buy a heat-sink for your radiator. You can find these in most car shops and online if the former option doesn't produce results. Be sure it is of industrial quality
You should only use the "Direct Link For Layouts". The code you used allows people access to your entire gallery including the pic of you on your bed.
Sounds like the thermometer might be shot. It's a cheap easy fix. 210 is very hot. That can wreck your car. If it ever gets above 170, run the heat.