i was wondering if there are any addives that will lower my coolant freezing point, i live in michigan and it does get quite cold in the winter, i checked my coolant and the tester said it was good to -10 degrees. it does get colder than that here. should i even be worried? i have it stored inside, not heated thought. or should i drain some and add 50/50?

 

Drain your rad, and add straight coolant to fill the rad.(rest of system will dilute it!)>>>Then run it(till hot) AND turn on the heat (full blast) to cycle it thru the heater core as well.(15mins?) Then use your coolant tester and restest.... My buick is stored in N.W.Ohio and she is safe well beyond -10! Too much is better than having your block crack. You can always dilute in the spring......

 

I just checked my cars and 3 of 4 are good up to -45 and the other to -35. BTW, that 50/50 solution available in the stores is simply mixed with distilled water and it's cheaper to buy it separately.

 

60% antifreeze 40% water is about the minimum freezing point you can get

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF6/680.html

 

i actually used some from the gas station this morning, the light on the dash told me to stop and refill, i was on my way to work so i just used what i could get a hold of at the time. should i be expecting serious problems? probably not right?
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Gotta leak? I do my best to check all fluids every 1-2 weeks...

 

I agree. He can always stop by an auto parts store and read the back of a Prestone jug to see just what the max protection can be.

IIRC going beyond the recommended mixture actually RAISES the freezing point, not lower it. So, don't get creative, just follow the mixture recommendations.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!

 

jerz gets pretty cold... we just got 8-10" of snow last nite... i usually mix mine with full strength stuff for about -20 to -30 so i dnt have to worry about her in the winter... if it snows by u then -10 would be pushing it. run it full strength if your worried and that should give u -35 to -45 i think

 

50% is recommended because its a lot cheaper than 60-40 and most people dont need to go to as low temps as you can get with 60-40 mix.
around here, the coldest it gets is mid teens, so i could technically get by with 20% antifreeze and be completely fine

 

IIRC, the record in Minnesota was -60.

I looked at a jug of Prestone and it says 70/30 mix is the maximum and is good to -84!

 

50/50 mix with the green stuff is good to about -35 to -40*C

 

Yep, my GM Approved DEX-COOL (the Orange coolant) Prestone bottle says the same thing.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day Parade 20 May 2010!!!