The thermostat is a valve that regulates the flow of coolant within the engine cooling system. When the engine is cold, the thermostat remains closed, allowing coolant to circulate only within the engine block to warm it up quickly. As the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature, the thermostat opens, allowing coolant to flow through the radiator, where it is cooled by the airflow. This maintains a consistent engine temperature.
By installing a lower-temperature thermostat (180 degrees instead of 190 degrees), you are essentially tricking the engine into thinking it needs to run cooler. As a result, the thermostat will open at a lower temperature, allowing coolant to flow through the radiator earlier in the engine's warm-up process. This will cause the engine to reach its optimal operating temperature more slowly and run cooler overall.
However, it's worth noting that while installing a cooler thermostat can theoretically reduce engine temperature, it may not always be necessary or beneficial. Modern cars are equipped with sophisticated engine management systems that regulate engine temperature very efficiently, and installing a cooler thermostat may not provide any noticeable advantages. Additionally, if the engine runs significantly cooler than intended, it could affect other aspects of engine performance, such as fuel efficiency and emissions.
Therefore, it's generally recommended to use the thermostat specified by the manufacturer for your particular car model. Unless you have a specific reason or a performance modification that necessitates a cooler thermostat, it's best to stick with the original equipment thermostat to ensure optimal engine operation.
