Thanks for the link to this thread on the sticky - I'm reading through because my temp and fuel gauges have begun to spike fairly predictably while climbing long hills. While climbing, the temp and fuel gauge levels gradually increase, then suddenly spike right about the time I'm reaching the top of the hill. It's disconcerting to say the least. Driving up a hill, the accelerator pedal feels like a squishy hair-trigger that will make those gauges pop when pushed too hard. I can't remember any time that the gauges have spiked randomly - it's always been on a hill. During a recent long drive in upper 90F temps this happened more often than I've previously experienced.
Is it possible that a certain engine temperature range would trigger crazy gauge spikes? Have others had the experience that harder driving situations (that could realistically cause an overheated engine) are associated with gauge spikes?
I don't want to ignore actual cooling system issues and blame crazy gauges. I guess I'm worried that maybe I'm not worried enough (if that makes sense)!