This paper deals with theoretical model developed for analyzing the heat transfer of automotive cooling systems. The model has a modular structure which links various cooling system submodels. From the model, heat transfer rate of automotive cooling systems can be predicted, providing useful information at the early stages of the design and development. The aim of the study is to develop a simulation program for automotive cooling system analysis and a performance analysis program for analyzing heat exchanger. Heat release rate from combustion gas to coolant through the cylinder wall in engine cylinder was analysed by using an engine cycle simulation program. In this paper, details of each submodel are described together with the overall structure of the vehicle model.