I have always had normal highway temperature of 195 degrees. Just changed rotors and and pads and now temp is 205 to 215. Brake change the cause or just coincidence?

Shadetree

 

Coincidence.

No heat build-up from new brakes 'break-in', or even harder [brake] use,will prevent radiator cooling, that has been...

If you shorted the ABS circuitry somehow, then it's remotely possible, but unlikely (you'd probably have a light on in the dash).

 

could it just be the august heat kicking in? ive noticed my '01 gets up to 220 lately in traffic if im stuck at a light for vey long....could it just be the "summer" heat?

 

Could be your thermostat sticking or just it's really hot or your coolant is kind of low.

 

Also, check to make sure nothing (like a plastic bag) has flown up against the radiator.

Other wise, it could very well be the upturn in ambient air temperature.

 

How about the most obvious?

Perhaps your brakes are dragging?

 

Excellent thought there, horse!

It sure ain't an obvious thing tho'... UNLESS, he's noticin' what seems to be a LOSS OF POWER???