Engine Coolant To Water Ratio
Pure coolant has none of these properties but it becomes a magical elixir for your engine s cooling system when it is mixed with water at a 50 50 ratio.
Engine coolant to water ratio. For improved cooling in hot weather we should use less antifreeze and more water perhaps going to a 25 75 or a 20 80 mix ratio. Vehicles such as cars and light trucks require an antifreeze to water ratio of 50 50. This usually corresponds to antifreeze protection from 25 c to 40 c. When i used to race we ran a 70 30 water to coolant ratio because it does keep the engine cooler due to water dissipating heat better than coolant.
In most places including your local gas station you can buy pre mixed coolant which is usually 50 50 anti freeze and water. If the coolant level is low add the correct coolant to the reservoir not the radiator itself. For example 50 50 may work best in more moderate climates where the temperature gets below 32 only on occasion. This gives the coolant an adequate amount of freezing and boiling protection while also providing the corrosion protection the engine and radiator need.
The minimal mixing ratio should be 70 30 and the maximal 40 60. But a 50 50 mix does not give the best cooling. This is recommended if you live in an environment that experiences harsh winter weather. Generally speaking a 50 50 mixture of water and antifreeze is a good place to start.
Mix an ethylene glycol coolant with water in a 70 30 ratio in other words 70 percent coolant to 30 percent water. This standard ratio is an attempt to encompass as much of the nation as possible and will provide great anti freeze and anti corrosion protection. You can use diluted coolant by itself or a 50 50 mixture of concentrated coolant and distilled water. The mixing ratio of water and antifreeze should lie between 60 40 and 50 50.
It is also the highest coolant to water ratio that most experts recommend for use in car engines. Save yourself the time and hassle of having to keep an extra jug around to mix on your own. Not in this case. However when speaking in terms of climate you may want to take temperature into consideration.
In this ratio the mixture will not freeze until temperatures reach minus 30 degrees f and will not boil until 275 degrees f. In the future just buy the 50 50 mix.