did one of those tests with the floating ball tester, got three ***** floating and says that the fluid is good down to -10 and will boil at 222 at sea level (which im not so it should boil a bit higher). my temp gauge never gets to the 210 mark (straight up middle) so it seems to be ok right? its still got that nice green color to it.

should it protect down below -10 and not boil until it gets even hotter?

on a side note, what would a 180 thermostat do for me?

 

a 180 will just cycle fluid sooner than the stock 195. some claim better engine response but its marginal.

 

thats what i thought. plus it seems that when the engine was engineered maybe it is supposed to be that hot and that if you try to cool it down to 180 maybe the engine isnt operating at the proper temps? i mean thats why we let our engines warm up right? to get to the proper operating temps? so wouldnt a 180 stat defeat that? just thinking out loud

 

the question is do you ever see -20 in winter? If you don't you are fine. If like here in Illinois you get cold snaps in the worst of winter that can drop to -20 you need to replace.

Cooling will not be improved by changing to a 180 - it will just start to cool off earlier.

I think you are fine as -is unless you have cold winters.

 

i dont think its ever gotten that cold in NC...ok maybe in the last ice age, but since then, probably not. thanks!