If anyone has a cheap OBD scanner they can display the engine coolant temp sensor (ECT) and takes notes on how many dots and the actual temp.

I have a Bluetooth OBDII adapter and Dashcommand app on my phone, I can look into this in the next few days of driving. I will say that the fuel and coolant temp "gauges" are probably the worst change from the Z33 to the Z34 IMO. What was wrong with the analog needles? Personally I *hate* the stupid dot-bar-graph style which leaves a LOT to be desired in terms of accuracy.

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I can tell you the 9th dot via ecutek reading was 240* and when my ac shut off.

Just to let you know analog needles are not any better on my G37.
From data logging, the engine coolant gauge doesn't move from 70C/158F to 105C/221F. As I understand it, this is to prevent the customer from freaking and gives the impression everything is rock solid.

As for the 370z coolant dots, here is what I have from a trusted source:
1 88-133F
2 133 - 140F
3 140 - 145F
4 145 - 150F
5 150 - 155F
6 155 - 160F
7 160 - 220F
8 220 - 240F
9 240 +

This morning. I paid more attention to the dots and my gauge. The thermostat opens at 7 Dots, which is 175F. Then settles at 180F on my SpeedHut water temp gauge which is still 7 Dots.

The Eighth DOT!!
 

Fellow Z Drivers.

If that eighth dot ever lights up and stays lit, I would be pulling over for a cool down. I say this because I think the setting for it is actually higher than 220 deg F to light. My experience while track driving and/or stop and go driving with OBD2 scanner running, tells me that even at 221 Deg this light does not illuminate. I would worry only because the next dot (8th) to me really means overheat condition for my Z. My car would regularly see 221 in the Texas Heat and then the Fans would crank up only to cool the car to 210 and start the heating cycle again. I have yet to ever see this next dot light up. Knock on wood that I never do.

I did install an actual water temp gauge so that I do get a more realistic view of the water temp in the engine. A worthy expenditure in my opinion. I never liked the 'dots' for a temp gauge. Nissan should know better.

Am I missing something here? My gauge has 16 total dots. My coolant temp routinely hits the 8th and 9th dots during normal driving. Not even close to overheating (under 200F).

8th Dot
 

You are correct, there are 16 dots on this temperature meter. In the 7 years I have owned my Z never has the 8th dot lit for me. I have seen 221 deg F. on my OBD2 reader software, both Dash Command and Torque. I am however acknowledging dots 8-16, and truly wonder at what temperature they do light up. I would be alarmed at the 8th or 9th dot lighting up.

Ah, sounds like your software is not interpreting the actual temp correctly. The only way to correctly get it is with a gauge with it's own sensor.

Anyone know what the ones are beyond 9 dots? I had a track day once where the gauge was somewhere in the 10-12 dot range after some red mist/tunnel vision driving.

The temps I provided are for the first 8 (1-8) LEDS, and stop once the car was up to temp.

To get the next 8 coolant temperature LEDs (9-16) someone has to offer their car to the overheat gods or send me a 370z gauge cluster to test :)