If the cooling system is working properly, the thermostat should only open when the engine needs to cool down. However, if the cooling system is malfunctioning, the thermostat may open too early, causing the engine to cool down too quickly and the cooling fan to kick in unnecessarily.
Some possible causes of the cooling system malfunctioning include a faulty thermostat, a clogged radiator, or a water pump that is not working properly. If the cooling system is not working properly, it is important to have it repaired as soon as possible, as overheating can cause serious engine damage.