Unless there is a problem with the existing thermostat, replacing it with an OEM thermostat won't make a difference. The thermostat is designed to open at 180 degrees. I would be hesitant to install a different spec'ed thermostat....unless another ToyotaNation member has done this and is willing to share their experience.

It's obvious but make sure your tires have good tread for the winter months.

 

^^^ This

 

" I recall reading some time ago that changing the thermostat helps with heating up the car interior faster on cold days."

This is true if going from factory 78 to motorad 82 deg C thermostat on some vehicles, such as honda. The Camry already has 82 deg thermostat. I have not seen anyone go higher than that. If there is one please post a link. I have read threads where some maintain a different coolant/water ratios for summer and winter times.

As part of normal maintenance you already say that you change it at certain interval. All good.

Other things would be checking gaskets and PCV valve in case something needs replacing.

 

Changing thermostat temp will not change how fast an engine warms up. It only changes the temp that the thermostat opens.

 

I thougt longer thermo is closed, makes for quicker coolant & eng warm up. What am I missing? Tnx.

 

Hotter (82) thermostat vs (78) is for heat maintenance and how the heat is distributed. The function of the thermostat is open at the specified temperature. True. However, if you live in areas where it snows or is very cold, a factory 78 thermostat (other brands, not talking about toyota here) will not create enough heat if you are also using the heater to heat cabin... or defrosting windshield, etc. Its heat over time ... OP did mention "heating up the car interior faster on cold days"

Someone from, say Canada or in south US etc, might be able to explain that aspect of issue better. I am sure many have more than one brand of car. We have honda and toyota. I do not live in the south or midwest anymore so I only experienced this back then... now in SoCal. Sorry.

Agree with BUFFO. That is how I understood it. If it gets very, very cold all the time ... its better to have 82 deg thermostat over 78 deg thermostat in that area.

As for thermostat talk, yes to whatever the temp thermostat is put into the car (68, 78, 82, etc), it opens at specified temp. If it functions fine at the specified operating temperature, then the thermostat is working as expected. No other way to say it.

 

The answer is maybe.... some thermostats don't seat properly when worn out. So, if the new thermostat seals better than the old one, then it could warm up quicker. My favorite thermostat is one that never closes fully and triggers the CEL/SES telling you the engine isn't warming up fast enough. My most hated thermostat is the one that stays closed and causes a blown head gasket overheat situation.

Thermostats are no way perfect and do have varying levels of opening speed and leakage. So, if a thermostat opens earlier, opens later, opens slowly, pops open quickly.... will have an affect on varying the temperature and warm up speed. I would say that "new" works better than any old bimetal or thermowax element that is worn out, or a spring that is tired and doesn't seat the thermostat too well, or doesn't provide enough resistance and lets the t-wax go crazy open fast, or a wobbly valve....

I tend to change my thermostats every 5 years. Never had a cooling or overheating issues as many do here. Keeping your engine/cooling system clean with those coolant changes is half the battle. Things like radiator caps, thermostats, belts.... always seem to be forgotten.

Many simply wait for failure prior to replacing a thermostat.

I haven't seen a drop-in hotter thermostat. There are some lower temp thermostats that should work well in a desert environment. A lower temp thermostat could cause a 'slow or delayed' warm up error code. There are also standard temp slightly better flowing bigger valve thermostats for those of us in the desert climate but don't want to run a cold thermostat.

IMO, the best longest lasting radiator cap and thermostat is at your DEALER. Its the one that uses a 'real coating seal' to prevent leakage when cold closed.

I use Tridon high-flow for my Toyotas when there is a compatible PN. Its the regular temp. Aftermarket thermostats are too cold at 170F and TRD I believe might even have one at 160F.

From Kuzeh(Toyota OE thermostat),
"The brown surface coating on the valve and cylinder is NOT rust. Instead, this is a special rubber coating that is burned onto the surface in order to help the black rubber seal and bronze cylinder adhere/bond to each other more securely."
The above coating is usually mistaken for 'rust'. It isn't!

 

The 2.5 is just very slow to heat up since it runs at such low RPM most of the time.

If it does heat up eventually, and doesn't lose heat once warmed up, the thermostat isn't stuck open, and changing it will probably not yield you quicker heat.

Keep in mind, less waste heat = greater efficiency. But you'll be cold in the winter

 

@2002Camry, noticed you were in Toronto. Many there have block heaters on their vehicles (I know several here and many with honda). That helps in really cold weather. A thermostat will not aid in faster warm up but a block heater is another variable to consider, though I never needed one for my location. One post here mentions less than USD 100.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/3.../forum/310-7th-generation-2012/424256-engine-block-heater-2012-camry-4-cyl.html
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/5...rum/53-alt-autos-toyota-camry/169695-2003-camry-4-cyl-block-heater-install.html
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...orum/104-5th-6th-generation-2002-2006-2007-2011/371239-engine-block-heater.html


"A block heater warms an engine to increase the chances that the engine will start as well as warm up the vehicle faster than it normally would in extremely cold weather."

https://www.kaltire.com/the-benefits-of-using-a-block-heater/