Last weekend, I took my Land Cruiser on a camping trip to the Sierras, and I kept a close eye on the engine coolant temperature (ECT) using my OBD2 scanner. With ambient temperatures in the mid to high 90s, and the vehicle heavily loaded, I was particularly interested in how the ECT temperature would behave, especially when tackling mountain passes.
My ’96 Land Cruiser isn’t exactly lightweight. It’s equipped with dual batteries, aftermarket front and rear bumpers, rock sliders, and a belly pan. On top, I had a roof top tent and a kayak, and on the back, a bike rack with two bikes. Inside, it was packed with camping gear, food, and supplies for my wife and myself. While I didn’t weigh it this time, I estimate the total weight to be around 7200 lbs.
During normal cruising at 70 MPH on relatively flat terrain, the ECT temperature consistently hovered around 194°F (90°C). As we started climbing elevation to go over a couple of passes, I watched the temperature gauge via my OBD2 reader. The ECT climbed steadily, reaching between 210-212°F (99-100°C). I briefly saw a peak of 214°F (101°C) for a couple of minutes during one particularly steep section. However, as soon as we crested the passes and began descending, the temperature quickly dropped back down to the upper 190s °F.
These temperature readings seemed normal for the conditions and the load. It’s reassuring to see the real-time ECT temperature via the OBD2 port, especially when pushing the vehicle harder. The Land Cruiser performed flawlessly throughout the trip, never missing a beat despite the challenging conditions.
Although the cooling system appears to be original, the previous owner maintained it well, with regular coolant flushes documented in the extensive service records. However, I already have a full set of new cooling system components – hoses, thermostat, water pump, and radiator – ready to be installed this winter. I’m curious to see if these new parts will make any noticeable difference in ECT temperatures on future trips to the Sierras and under similar heavy load conditions. Monitoring the ECT temperature through the OBD2 port will be key to assessing any improvements.
