When you are driving your Cayenne "vigorously" what does your engine temp get up to?

I have an '05 CTT and (assuming the dash gauge is accurate) it gets buried pretty strong in the 220/230 range... right at or just above the line between 180 and 260.

I don't like that the gauge goes from "normal/white" lines immediately to "bad/red" with no gradients. Should I be worried about the space between the last white line (~220) and the bad red line at 260?

 

my engine temp never goes above 180, no matter what i do with my car, including hardcore offroad situations..

 

My 2003 CTT goes into the 230 range also. I feel a little uncomfortable with that range. I would rather see it pegged right at 180. Any other opinions on this? The thermostat should keep the CTT at one temp not all over like mine.

 

Your temperature sensor may be faulty. I had to replace my 2004 CTT temp sensor. It would go from 180 to the red very fast and throw a warning light. The temperature was in actuality just fine. Make sure you coolent level isn't low.

 

thank you for the replies. I will definitely check everything referenced. I will update with results.

For the record, it does just fine (stays at 180) in all offroad situations. It is only under "track day" type driving that it fluctuates.