Car Care Tips: When Should You Replace the Thermostat?

A car thermostat is accountable for stopping your engine from overheating. Unless an engine overheats or fails to come to a normal operating temperature after being driven for numerous miles, the thermostat which controls the flow of coolant is probably working properly. Thermostats generally last for years — sometimes even for the lifetime of a vehicle — so why worry replacing it? Does a car thermostat need to be replaced as part of normal maintenance? Let’s have a detailed look.

Before taking a closer look, here is a good news for all the Volkswagen car owners. If you are facing any sort of issue with you vehicle or need to get a general service done, bring it to our Volkswagen service center in Khajaguda. Since it is recognized as one of the best Volkswagen service centers in Hyderabad, it is definitely a worth visit.

Well, firstly, we will learn what a Thermostat does. Your car’s thermostat is a vital component that is in fact rather simple. It’s a valve placed in your vehicle’s cooling system. Its job is to regulate the quantity of coolant that is recirculate back into the engine and how much is cooled via the radiator prior to being recirculated. This confirms that the coolant in your engine stays within a definite temperature range irrespective of the external temperature. The valve is opened and closed with a spring, piston or another thermally controlled device.

Now let’s learn what the right time is to replace your Thermostat. Since they are so simple, thermostats generally do not get damaged with age. Indeed, if it seems to be working, there probably isn’t a necessity for a new thermostat. However, if you’re getting other cooling system upkeep performed, such as changing the coolant and/or radiator hoses on a vehicle that’s been in service for a number of years, it could be a good idea to change the thermostat at the same time to attain peace of mind. That’s particularly true if the upper hose is being removed, as that’s where many thermostats are located. If you need to have your radiator or any gaskets or hoses changed in your cooling system, you may also want to ask your mechanic about whether you should change your thermostat all together.

Apart from this type of preventive maintenance, a thermostat doesn’t need to be replaced except it stops opening and closing when it’s supposed to. If it sticks in the closed position, that traps coolant in the engine so that it overheats. If it sticks in the open position, the coolant will constantly circulate through the engine and radiator, which can prevent the engine from reaching full operating temperature (and full efficiency) and reduce heat output from the climate system.

Amid the signs that a thermostat isn’t working are an engine that overheats or runs scorching than usual, or a cabin heater that flops to create sufficient warm air. A defective thermostat may also cause the check engine light. As these symptoms can be triggered by other hitches, the total cooling system — from main components to small gaskets — should be examined by a professional mechanic before taking a decision to change the thermostat.

If your vehicle has ever overheated, you will probably have to get a new thermostat. Overheating can cause severe damage to the valve along with the thermostat housing, hoses and gaskets that are a part of your car’s cooling system. Extreme heat can create things like hoses, gaskets and even metal thermostat housings to warp and lose their standard shape. When this occurs, these important components will be no longer able to do their job as they should.

That is why; they say prevention is better than cure. If you get it inspected as soon as you observe these signs, your vehicle will be certainly on the safest side. For any such problems, or any other repair or general service needs, visit your nearest Volkswagen service center in Hyderabad, where you are sure to get some expert care at best pricing.