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Your engine will run more efficiently with the 180? F. thermostat. However if your car is prone to overheating in stressful situations or hot days, you will have more "freeboard" before boiling over with the 160? F. unit.

I'd stick with the 160? unit for the time being until you get to know your car better. If you find after driving in stressful conditions like traffic jams on blazing hot days that the temperature does not climb significantly, then you might consider changing to the 180? thermostat for somewhat better engine efficiency.

Thank you, I'll stay with the 160 for now. You say it will run more efficiently, how?

Older engines are designed to run most efficiently at 180, that's where the midpoint of temp gauges are. I think it best you just accept that instead of studying thermodynamics and combustion engineering. Modern engines run over 200 degrees

At 160 you will get less gas mileage and the moisture will not evaporate as well from the crankcase causing a greater buildup of sludge.

I will exchange it today for 180. Thanks, it always helps to know "why". I appreciate you advice.

I'm not sure how to send you a private message.

Brenda, if I were you I would leave it in as Owen had posted. Get a feel for your car before changing parts. We all have to start somewhere and if you just keep changing things then you never have a point of reference.
Also to send a private message, just click on their name and another window should open up with a box with [PM]. Just click on that.
Wes

I try not to second guess the engineers at "Master Motor Builders" on E. Grand