The summer driving season is in full swing, and while it is nice to be able to cruise the streets and hit the beach, we would like to remind you to check up on your car's cooling system. The extra stress placed upon your car's cooling system during the summer means you should check up on the condition of the system, and more specifically the thermostat.
The thermostat is a small item placed somewhere between the radiator and the engine, and regulates the temperature of the coolant by opening and closing which affects the coolant's rate of flow. Over time, the thermostat can fail and get stuck in the closed position which can lead to your car overheating. A thermostat is generally inexpensive and costs less than $20 at your local auto parts store, but the damage that can occur to your engine if it overheats can costs you hundreds or even thousands to fix.
The replacement interval varies between manufacturers, but we usually replace our thermostat every 2-3 years or 30-50K miles, which is when we also recommend changing out the vehicle's anti-freeze for fresh coolant. The thermostat is usually easy to replace, and can be done at home with basic hand tools. We will try to get a tutorial done soon which will outline the basic procedures for those who would like to attempt the repair at home.
Happy motoring and keep on driving!
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