A shop told me the thermostat is making the engine in my car run too cold, but my heater works fine. Is this just a ripoff?
The term cold may be a poor choice on the part of the shop. To an engine, 180 degree Fahrenheit is considered cold. This is because most engines are designed to run at around 195 degrees and higher. If the vehicle is OBDII compliant or later (1996 or newer) it may set a check engine light for this problem. While 180 degree coolant will easily warm the passenger compartment, it can cause harm to the engine. Fuel may not be properly atomized at this temperature and the computer may request a much richer fuel-air mixture. Lower engine temperatures can cause lower fuel mileage and can contribute to wear and engine sludge buildup. If you are not sure about the shop, why not get a second opinion? Heres an article on finding a great shop in your area.
