I've done a little searching, but I haven't found anything on the forum that is similar to what is going on with my car. Basically when I am driving at freeway speeds in 6th gear, the temp gauge goes a bit higher than it normally does. Its usually at around the 180 degree hash mark, but now it sits about halfway between the 180 and 210 hash marks. If I drop into 5th gear at freeway speed the temp will go back to the normal range I am used to seeing.

The engine never overheats, even at idle it does its normal thing when the fans come on

I have 155000 miles on the motor. I replaced the water pump about 5 years ago, and I'd say it has about 60K miles on it, but it has no leaks at all. However I do hear this chirping noise when the engine is running. Could it be my water pump starting to go, or is my thermostat? Or could it be something more serious? The radiator and hoses are all new too (less than 2 years old).

 

Check the air dam at the bottom/behind the front bumper cover, and make sure it is still there. If its broken, or missing, it will cause high coolant temps at freeway cruising speeds.

 

The air dam is fine, and there is no debris on the radiator.

 

ive exerienced similar but only a 10 degree differance...i think its from the large amout of air the fans move compared to the little amount actually makes it at speed to the radiator

 

It turns out the problem was with the thermostat. I replaced it, and the temps are back to normal now.