Thermostat Gates or OEM Honda

Your temp gauge is reading low because your mechanic is not using an OEM Honda thermostat. An OEM thermostat is designed specifically for your engine and the car will warm up quickly and the temp gauge will sit at the 50 yard line in any weather.

The Honda thermostat opened probably 50% more than the aftermarket, so lesson learned there.

Forgot to add I test drove her last night to the store, holy $hit it runs like a beast, if I had to guess it feels like it got 20hp back and idles smooth as a new mk7 no shaking no cel lights just butter, it accelerates much smoother and faster then I ever had it. Such a difference it was amaze balls.

By the way, that Gates thermostat (good brand - OEM quality, includes gasket) is $24, delivered, while AutoZone in my area wants $32