Im only 17 and just got a 2008 Mazda Speed 3 with 49k miles on Saturday.

I was driving around today and my temp gauge went up to 3 marks before Hot. Then I let it coast down a hill and it went back to halfway. Then again in traffic it went back up. I know next to nothing about cars except for oil change and etc. This car has no mods and is bone stock. Can someone please try to point me in a good direction to what's wrong. I'm taking it back to the dealer Tom to try and have them figure it out. Good thing I got a 100,000 mile warranty added to the vehicle. Link to Picture http://imgur.com/9t4Za

 

Take it back to the dealer and tell them this. Probably a coolant thermostat sticking that needs to be changed. Tell them to change the fluid as well. Could also be the fan not coming on.

 

Thanks hopefully that's the problem. I did see online that it could be a warped head I'll just be praying that that's not the problem.

 

You could get a warped head as a result of over heating. Pray that it didn't happen.
Check your fluid levels. If it's low, and no leak then you may have big problems.
You should be covered warranty wise.

 

My coolant level is 1/2 inch below full is that bad? What do you mean big problems? I just got the car Saturday so either way if something is wrong with it the dealer will have to pay for it regardless it's still under a 30 day warranty on top of the 100k comprehensive warranty I bought

I also just changed my oil today and it wasn't milky or anything.

 

*edit* I meant to answer this first when I posted this message:
No, 1/2" below "full" is nothing to worry about. In fact it's usually a good idea not to fill fluid levels up to the full or MAX lines, but instead use it as a maximum. And if the fluid in question, coolant, engine oil, brake/clutch fluid is above it to remove some.

This problem could be a number of things, little or not so little, but its hard to tell what it might be through a computer screen. As you said there is no reason you should not be legally covered for the fix.
Let the dealer you bought it from have a look before getting too excited about it. If they say there's nothing wrong, you know they are lying to cover their asses and their monthly sales figure.

 

Agree. 1/2" below is nothing. Just keep an eye on it.
Over heating an engine could lead to warped heads as you suggested. When this happens you will burn coolant and or mix it in with oil. It probably won't run as good either.