How much time do you spend thinking about your car's cooling system? If you're like most people, the answer is probably "not much!" Although the cooling system on your car isn't something you need to worry about most of the time, it's arguably one of the most critical parts of any vehicle. A faulty cooling system can result in damage that can destroy an engine in minutes.

Fortunately, modern cooling systems are robust and reliable, but failures can and do still occur. Understanding a little bit about the parts that make up your cooling system can help you spot trouble early before it leads to disaster. This article will discuss an often-forgotten but essential part of any cooling system: the thermostat.

What Does the Thermostat Do?

Your cooling system's thermostat serves a similar function to the thermostat in your home. However, while you might sometimes like it a little warmer or cooler, your engine has specific temperature preferences. A cold engine runs less efficiently, and cold oil lubricates less effectively. On the other hand, catastrophic damage can result from overheating in an astoundingly short time.

As a result, your car's thermostat doesn't need the ability for fine-grained adjustments or, in most cases, any adjustments at all. Instead, these components are typically simple mechanical devices that open and close at specified temperatures. This behavior allows them to control coolant flow to your engine, allowing it to heat up quickly and stay cool once at operating temperature.

Why Do Thermostats Fail?

Some modern vehicles use electronically-controlled thermostats, but the most common options are still simple wax valves. These thermostats use a special wax that melts at a specified temperature, allowing the valve controlled by the thermostat to open. As the temperature drops, the wax will harden and a spring will push the valve closed again.

Despite their simplicity, thermostats can fail. A failed thermostat will usually remain open, preventing the engine from reaching its normal operating temperature, although thermostats can sometimes (rarely) fail in a closed position. A closed thermostat is more dangerous since it will usually cause your vehicle to overheat quickly.

How Do You Know If Your Thermostat Is Bad?

Watch your temperature gauge! If your car's temperature remains stubbornly close to the bottom of the gauge, your thermostat may be stuck closed. Modern vehicles will almost always store a trouble code when this situation occurs, so you may also notice your check engine light come on. However, even without reading the code, an unusually cold engine is often a surefire sign of thermostat failure.

While a cold engine isn't as immediately harmful as an overheating engine, it's still a severe problem that can lead to significant damage. Once you spot the signs of a faulty thermostat, you'll want to install a high-quality replacement as soon as possible.

To learn more about car parts, reach out to a local supplier.