Once the coolant temperature rises to between 180 and 195 F (82 - 91 C), the thermostat starts to open, allowing fluid to flow through the radiator. When the coolant reaches 200 to 218 F (93 - 103 C), the thermostat is fully open.
The open and closed positions of a thermostat
If you ever have the chance to test one, a thermostat is cool watch because what it does seems impossible. You can put one in a cup and heat it in the microwave. As it heats up, its valve opens about an inch. If you'd like to try this yourself, go to a car parts store and buy one for a couple of bucks.
The secret of the thermostat lies in the small cylinder located on the engine-side of the device. This cylinder is filled with a wax that begins to melt at around 180 F (different thermostats open at different temperatures, but 180 F is a common one). A rod connected to the valve presses into this wax. When the wax melts, it expands significantly, pushing the rod out of the cylinder and opening the valve.The wax just expands a good bit more because it is changing from a solid to a liquid in addition to expanding from the heat.
This same technique is used in automatic openers for greenhouse vents and skylights. In these devices, the wax melts at a lower temperature.