How many of you run a 160 thermo year round?

 

I do....

 

- Engine gets plenty warm. My fans aren't set so I they still climb in stop & go traffic but drop as soon as I get over 40 mphs.

 

Not me. I got a 180 and even here in Dallas it was down to 40F last night. I'll tell you I enjoyed the hot air from the A/C.

 

I do

 

So far thanks for the input...you all that replied have about the same climate as I do here in the SF Bay Area. Reason I asked is because I'm taking a trip to MS from the Bay Area and my engine temp drops to 172 somedays when the temps are in the 50s here. 178 eng temp most times...I have the fans set to come on with a 180 thermostat.
Still looking for more input.
Thanks again,
Rsty

 

I also run a 160 degree thermostat. And, have done so for over three years with no ill effects.

 

all year here

 

Thank you fellow Bay Area member..I value YOUR input

 

Thank you Bay Area Member..I value YOUR input

 

160 year round here

 

Rsty - I ran my '99 year 'round in Cleveland with a 160. Never had a problem warming up or running the heater, and I used it all through the snow and ice season as a daily driver.

 

Here's my two cents against running a low temp thermostat. First of all, you call will never pass smog (especially here in California). Secondly mechanics have always told me that engines like heat (it's just people that don't). I don't think your doing your engine any favors.

I would be curious what the arguments are for running one? I have put in lower thermostats in various cars before and have always had to go back to the ole steady eddie - 180.

There was a time... many, many years ago when engines were something that we could really get into and fool around with. If something went wrong, a guy could stop, pop the hood and amaze your girlfriend by tinkering until we actually fixed something. Those days are woefully long gone. We live in an age of computerization where changing one thing affects tons of other things. It's fun to take a walk down memory lane and think we can still tweak stuff and get it to work better, but I gotta admit the guys in Detroit are getting hp, torque and mileage out of engines that was unheard of in the good ole days. Again engines like heat and require it to run properly. I really think your fooling around with mother nature here and should consult a good mechanic to learn all the pro's and con's.

 

160 therma here. Let's see this morning..temps mid 30's. Oil temp still up to 200 deg on the way home. Coolant temp at 176. Helps that I am in stop and go traffic. I monitor it pretty much all the time. Never had a run where the oil temp didnt get close to 200 and thats what matters.

 

 

Yep, all year 'round. Every year.