Thermostat and Spoiler: Lesser lights of an Audi system

Anthony Fontanelle
September 26, 2007

The Audi spoiler and thermostat are among what the automotive industry considers as lesser lights of the car system parts. Innocuous and ostensibly trivial, the Audi spoiler and Audi thermostat actually play important roles in keeping the car up to par in performance. Mounted on a heat exchanger called radiator block, the Audi thermostat keeps the engine running within the optimal temperature range; while the Audi spoiler fitted on the car's body improves the aerodynamics of the vehicle in the face of wind drags. Both are not directly involved in the power production of the engine, but they complement the horsepower and set the stage for a flat-out vehicle performance.

The Audi spoiler is called as such because of its primary function: to 'spoil' wind drags and other unfavorable air movement when the car is in motion. In the face of a headwind, for example, Audi spoilers disrupt the airflow going head-on toward the vehicle, reducing the amount of lift naturally generated by the shape of the moving car. Airflow disruption is accomplished by the Audi spoiler when its specialized shape directs air movement away from the car. In most cases, drag increases as the speed of the vehicle increases. Thus, there are Audi spoilers that work effectively at very low speeds but often generate excessive drag at high speeds, and vice versa. This is why the design of Audi spoilers are specially customized to match the specific part on which they are going to be mounted onto, such as the roof Audi spoiler and tailgate Audi spoiler varieties. Additionally, an Audi spoiler increases the contact between the tire and the road surface, thereby increasing traction. This increase in traction allows a vehicle in motion to brake, turn, and accelerate with more stability.

Under the car hood, on the other hand, the engine system depends on the Audi thermostat to keep engine temperature within the ideal range. Water mixed with coolant flows from the Audi radiator into the engine, conducting heat away from the engine. The Audi thermostat is installed at the center of the radiator block and buffers the coolant flow via a series of valves. The valves of the Audi thermostat is set at close position to keep the coolant in place, until the engine starts to run and reaches the thermostat's activation temperature. The valves close and allow heat to build up in the engine when the engine gets too cold, and then the Audi thermostat valves open and allow heat to be removed by the radiator when the engine becomes too warm.

Source:  Amazines.com