A wierd little trait I noticed about MOPAR's equipped with the temperature gauge.......
If you go directly from park to drive, it takes a while for the temp to move,
BUT if you back up (use reverse) for 5 - 10 seconds (like backing out of a driveway) before going into a forward gear, the temperature seems to adjust quicker.
Don't ask me why.
It's just something I noticed on my '01 PT Cruiser and my wife's Charger R/T.