Can the car still be driven if the thermostat is faulty?

[DanielaFitz]

If the thermostat is broken, the car should not be driven. The thermostat is a device that controls the coolant circulation. If it fails to open, it can easily cause the engine temperature to rise excessively, increasing the risk of spontaneous combustion in hot conditions. If it fails to close, the engine's water temperature will be lower than normal, leading to poor lubrication, increased fuel consumption, and accelerated wear. Symptoms of a faulty thermostat include: 1. The water temperature reaches the normal value during idling or low-speed driving, but drops significantly when the speed exceeds 50, preventing the engine from reaching the normal operating temperature. This results in loud engine noise, poor acceleration, and increased fuel consumption. 2. If the thermostat fails to open, the water temperature will remain in the high-temperature zone, and the radiator fan will not turn on, which can easily cause the engine to overheat and reduce its lifespan. Additionally, during winter warm-up, the water temperature rises slowly, and the idle speed remains high, taking at least 10-20 minutes to reach the normal temperature.