Flashcard 18 - Auto and Shop Information Flashcard Set for the ASVAB

The thermostat regulates the temperature of the coolant by opening and closing the flow of coolant to the radiator.

A car’s cooling system stops the engine from overheating. Picture the thermostat as a gate that controls when the coolant, a special liquid that picks up heat from the engine, can move. When your car’s engine begins to heat up too much, the thermostat “opens” to allow the coolant to flow to the radiator. The radiator cools this liquid down, and then it returns to the engine to pick up more heat. This process keeps the engine’s temperature just right, so your car runs well.