If you mean coolant temperature, 50 degrees is NOT normal.  It should sit around 85 to 90 degrees celcius in any car - if it sits at 50 degrees it sounds like your thermostat is stuck open.


Means one of three things (not sure on what warnings the 156 has as standard):
a) Oil level low
b) Oil pressure switch for light faulty
c) Oil pressure low (try an oil a little thicker than recommended, and see if it stops)  This would definitely explain it going out on the move, as increased engine RPM means the oil pump spins faster and pressure goes up.

Well, over here the octane rating is usually written on the pump, not sure about South Africa.  Our regular unleaded is only 91 octane, then we have a mid level of 95 octane and premium is at 98 octane.  Not sure what the normal thing is for you guys, but I'd say definitely run premium (high end) in it, especially in the hot weather.


Oils tend to be more to do with personal preference, I reckon in general as long as you use a reputable brand you are doing alright.  I use Penrite myself, I find it gave my Range Rover a bit of an increase in oil pressure over the Castrol stuff that I had in it, but again, you probably don't have Penrite.  Mobil should be fine, just make sure you use at least the correct viscosity for your weather (check the owners handbook).  Since you have a flickering oil light, if you're in a hot area and someones used oil of a lower viscosity, this can cause lower oil pressure.