These are gauges, and therefore need to be read both dynamically and in context.
JYH's example *looks at gauge one tick mark on the red*
That is running a little hot.
Or wait, is it?
It could be normal because the car was just shut off after a long run up hills in the summer?
If it was running, depending on the circumstances, I would still not call that overheating if it was steady.
Overheating is when the system temperature is starting to run away under steady state conditions.
This is the advantage of gages over warning lights. We can observe the changes in relation to conditions. However it does require a higher level of observation, or at least the operator to read the owner's manual.
Now at the bar, or telling your [fill in the blank] My car was overheating! to generate some interest in your story - be my guest! But when folks ask a tech question, which I beleive is the premise of this thread, then its similar to saying it won't crank when the situation really was starter turning engine, but it won't start.
