jim628

HI:
I remember reading an article long time ago that it is recommended to
mix anti freeze with distilled water instead of tap water. Is this necessary?

neilan

i have heard that if you live in an area with very pure water such as well water or minimal water treatment (high mineral content) that it is best to use distilled water. But i always use straight antifreeze anyway why not just do that to keep things simple?

deserttoy84

straight antifreeze causing overheating unless you live in canada or somthing wheres it always frozen. You dont HAVE to run distilled but it is perferable.

Spanky

straight anti-freeze?? yikes!!

jct61765

I use distilled, why take chances. For the couple of bucks its worth it.

Beartracker

Over the past 30 years I have run straight antifreeze and never had a engine overheat or any heater problems and I do not live in Canada but in the mids west where it is 100 in the summer and 0 in the winter.
I do not run straight antifreeze in my 2.7 Tacoma only because when I last flushed it I ran short so I just added rain water.
The problem with radiators is not caused by the water you use alone but also by how often you flush the system. Every two years is a good idea for a healthy system including being good for the water pump and thermostat. Mike

mt_goat

Yes, use distilled water. It will keep your cooling system in much better shape. Why would you want to introduce all those minerals to the system? The tap water will increase mineral deposits which over time can clog passages. Tap water can also cause electrolysis between dissimilar metals. Electrolysis does things like eat holes in radiators and freeze plugs and can even contribute to head gasket failure. Keep in mind the head and block are dissimilar metals. There is a reason the Toyota engineers say to use distilled water only in your owners manual.

k_southman

Water transfers heat better then straight antifreeze so a 50/50 mix is best.

Even in Canada a 50/50 mix is typically used. This will provide protection to -40 (it gets close, but not that cold in the winter!)

Roadrunner

You can even buy coolant that's premixed with water 50/50.

mt_goat

Distilled water is only about a $1/gal. You can even any you have leftover.

rocktown

i'm a big fan of the prestone quick fill, already a 50/50 mix, just poor it in

Yota Tony

Canada isn't that cold you crack pots.

Don't use stright anti freeze. 50/50 mix with distilled water is the best way to go.

jrallan26

I use distilled water with a mixture of coolant. For added benefit I use a can of Redline "Water Wetter".

mt_goat

Water Wetter...brilliant! Yeah I'm running a bottle too.

Beartracker

OK you guy's. What the hell is water wetter? Sounds like a big scam to me. Isn't water already wet????, lol. Mike

mt_goat

http://e30m3performance.com/myths/mo...ter_wetter.htm

dias_ryan

No way dude.. water wetter rocks.. haha
just kidding.

Do you guys Flush your own systems?
out of curiousity... How do you do that? Do you run the hose in at the top and let the bottom drain? and if so? where do you let it drain?? Ground?

I can't seem to think of an environmentally friendly way to do that?

Bennito

check your local ordinances. Last place I lived said to flush your antifreeze down the toilet. In small doses the bugs at the sewage treatment plant LOVE it..

jrallan26

I found out about water wetter through karting..

Beartracker

Now I see!,Lol. I will be nice and make no comment. Like my Mother always said....If you don't have anything good to say then don't say anything at all.
Thanks for the link to the info Mt. Goat, Mike