It seems that one can choose between different degree settings that allow an earlier or later opening of the thermostat. My question is what benefit is there to using the 170 vs 183 vs 192 degree choices? Also the price range of $5 to $60 seems like a guess as to which to choose as well.

 

If you're sitting in traffic jams on a hot day, then the coolant temperature will still rise-regardless of what the opening temp of the thermostat is. Once you clear the traffic jams & head out on the highway, the coolant temp will fall again as the radiator dissipates the heat.

Once the coolant temp has fallen enough then the 'stat will begin to close.

So basically, the only difference you're likely to notice with a lower opening temp 'stat is that your cruising engine temp will be a bit lower out on the open roads-but once you get back into a traffic jam then the coolant temp will continue to rise until the cooling fans cut in to prevent overheating.

I suppose you could argue that you've got a bit more 'safety margin' before the coolant temp hits the danger zone in traffic jams as, if you've just come off the highway with the coolant around the temp of the 'stat opening point, it's going to begin climbing from a lower level before hitting the danger zone.

In all honesty, there's probably not much in it whichever 'stat you choose-although in colder climates you'll definitely be running a few degrees cooler overall in highway cruising. If you live in a hot climate & regularly sit in stationary traffic then it won't make any real difference, as the coolant temperature in those circumstances depends on how quickly the fans can remove the heat from the radiator-not on the opening temp of the 'stat...