Hi,

I mixed my coolant with tap water in a 50/50 ratio.
However, I used the filtered water off my house tap.
Should I have used distilled water?
How much trouble am I in right now?

Thanks,

Vani

 

some people recommend you should use distilled some really dont care. Itll work. Distilled is just a lot cleaner than tap. You should be fine

 

Filtered water is about as close as you can get to distilled water. People have been using tap water and well water for decades so I'm pretty sure you'll be alright.
In fact there are some gas stations that still offer (air and) water for free, as kind of an old tradation, which I believe they intended for people to use in the cooling system.

 

regular tap or well water is just fine. The additives in the coolant is what keeps your cooling system clean and corosion free. This is why it is important to use the proper kind for your vehicle.

 

just dont use seltzer or mineral water... could be really bad i think

so you know you can buy premixed antifreeze now and save yourself the hassle/scaring yourself with mixing

 

i love how much money you can make off stupid people(no offense to them).

1 gal of pure antifreeze, 8.49
1 gal of 50/50, 7.49

oh well

 

love how much money you can make off stupid people(no offense to them).

1 gal of pure antifreeze, 8.49
1 gal of 50/50, 7.49

oh well

YOU FORGOT something there!!!
Gal Pure 8.49 + gallon distilled .39 = 4.44 / gallon mixed

Ya Can't forget the Distilled! cuz that's what THEY use! :-)
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 3 dollars for 2 min of work.... HEHEHE and i'm NOT a lawyer!

 

Use of tap water will cause mineral deposits to build up in an engine and over time decrease it's ability to transfer heat from the block to the coolant. Cooling efficiency goes down. That same mineral buildup will also clog the radiator eventually. Old coolant tends to have the same effect when it breaks down as it allows the aluminum (and cast iron, in certain cases) to corrode and rust.

Just because people have been doing it for a hundred years doesn't mean it's a good idea. I use nothing but ethylene glycol ("green") coolant and distilled water in my car.

 

I will second Kai's post. you CAN use tap water and it will cool the car fine, but a gallon of distilled water is less than a buck. I've replaced the radiator on my '67 mustang and let me tell you....it wasn't pretty! flush your system when you get spare time and do it right. and for a few extra bucks, a bottle of Water Wetter [made by Red Line, I think] can't hurt [you only add a few capfulls].

 

alright, tap water works fine, and actually not all the premix stuff you get is mixed with special water...I work for an oil,fuel, coolant distribution company. When we mix up a barrel of 50/50 i fill up a barrel halfway with antifreeze then spray a regular old fashioned hose in there 'til she's full. the antifreeze prevents the deposits and corrosion of your cooling system, not distilled water.