Overheating Engine

It can be normal check your user manual. In my car its marked as till 1 line before H is normal operating temperature.

In my 2000 Malibu, the gauge usually shows a tick mark above the half way point. Now in the winter (if the ambient temperature stays low), the gauge may show between quart and half way point regardless of how long the engine has been running. The engine still runs fine at about 190,000 miles and still running DEX-COOL.

Will it hurt it to run no therastate to make it run cooler

All I know is I have a 2003 Chevy Malibu and it's a very hot day and it's running two clicks above. The fluids are fine. I'm gonna take it easy and just stay in town. Makes me nervous.

I had to respond to this because my 03 Always two notch above on a hot day and makes me nervous

I have a 1999 chevy malibu, on a hot day itll run 2 lines above halfway. It does it mostly when its idling or stopped at a light, once you get moving itll go down to halfway or one line over halfway. If it goes over 2 lines above halfway. That's when I start worrying but it usually doesn't. From what I know it's normal for Malibus.