hey i have a 95 accord lx 4 cyl... 127k miles

when i drive for a long time the temperature needle passes the middle mark. only when i stop though. it won't happen as i drive but when i stop for a long time (red light), it will go up a little bit, sometimes a lot.

i have needed an oil change for a while now, does anyone know if that could be the problem? i'm having to put coolant in my car like every day almost, it's weird. but anyways could the oil change be a factor in this?

 

it might help in the least bit but not very much to make a difference

i would check your hoses and all, check to make sure your fan comes on every so often

but the main thing i would look into is your T-stat

 

You've a coolant leak that you have to address. It sounds to be high on the engine; as suggested elseware chk your hoses AND water pump (it normally leaks when the engines' off)
Whats happening is while you're driving at speed, the water pump has sufficient pumping capacity to ensure the engine is completely full of coolant (but because of the leak, the radiator is half empty) Airflow thru the engine compartment is sufficient to keep things reasonable (as long as you're moving). But when you stop (or slow down) the pump can't keep the engine filled, denying coolant to the top of the engine where the gauge temp sender is located. Without coolant, the sensor starts heating...... thus your needle creeping up.

P

 

as suggested before first thing and most obvious chk for coolant leak ,if you have a pressure tester pressure test cooling system,,, if leaks ,,,repair as needed ,,
if no leaks chk radiator cap.. chk rubber seals in it if cracked or really hard replace cap.....
start car put a/c on both fans should come on if they do fuses and fan motors are ok ....if 1 or either does not work chk fuses if fuses ok chk for power and ground at fan motor plug if you have both, motor is no good ,,if all ok up to here

turn a/c off warm up car to normal operating temp feel the lower radiator hose it should feel hot ,,,if it does t-stat is opening up ok,, if warm or cool t-stat is stuck close replace t-stat,,,,,if t-stat is ok let engine run till fans come on ,,,,,if both fans came on with a/c on and do not come on now ,,,unplug the green plug at t-stat housing jump the wires if fans come on you have a bad fan switch replace it ...