When I first drive my 2009 Chevy Silverado it heats up to 210 degrees which is normal, correct? Lately when I wait in a drive through for example or I leave it idling in park the engine temperature gage starts to steadily climb up. Today when I was driving home usually once I put the truck into drive the needle goes back to 210 but it didn’t while I was driving it stayed a little above the attached picture. I cranked on the heat to max and the needle started to go back to normal. Solutions?

 

 

I'd make sure you don't have a head gasket leak. Get the engine up to operating temps and look for any bubbles at the radiator cap. Might be good to chuck the thermostat out for a new one. Lots of cheap parts like these are made in Asia these days and are not as well made as US parts were. Also, I use an additive made by Redline called "Water-Wetter" which can increase heat transfer of the H2O in your motor. Autozone sells it, and there are other brands that do the same thing.