[smashedheadcat]

Here's my take on the thermostat. I think that it's supposed to closed to help bring the car up to operating temperature. With it closed, it will circulate less coolant through the water pump, and it'll come up to temp quicker, but also once open, it doesn't just open and let it flow free. It also will help to keep coolant in the radiator longer by creating a small blockage. This makes sense to me as it will allow the coolant to remain closer to the air flow (fan, or just moving air if driving) giving it more time to cool off. I've never read up on this too much, it's just something I've picked up over time, and it makes sense.