Thursday, November 28, 2013

Why Are Thermostats Necessary in Vehicles

Why Are Thermostats Necessary in Vehicles?

Automotive cooling systems are complex beasts, not so much in form as in function. The cooling system is more than just a water hose to keep the engine cool, its a support system used to keep all of that hot, fast-moving metal working the way it should be.

Function and Design

    A thermostat sits in the base of the hose that moves coolant from the engine to the radiator, and serves to restrict flow to the radiator when the engine is cold. Most thermostats use a wax-pellet design. Below a given temperature, the wax pellet remains a solid, keeping the thermostat valve shut and causing the coolant to recirculate inside of the engine instead of going to the radiator. Above its set temperature, the wax pellet melts and allows the valve to open.

Purpose

    You dont technically "need" a thermostat; the engine will continue to run without it. A thermostats primary job is to get the engine up to temperature as quickly as possible and then limit flow to keep it at that temperature. Running without a thermostat will allow coolant to constantly circulate through the radiator, which can cause the engine to run far cooler than it should. While this might seem like a good thing at first glance, bear in mind that most engines are engineered to run best when theyre fairly hot.


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