I know this might sound a little generic but has anyone had experience of running a pretty high water to ethylene glycol (75% water, 25% ethylene glycol) for coolant in an enviroment that has moderate winters (Colorado)?
It's what my tested coolant showed up as, but with that mixture I see it's only protected to abot 10 degrees F.I don't think I'm going to worry cause not counting wind chill temps(engine isn't exposed to wind chill ), it rarely gets that cold here. Just wondering if anyone has faced a similar scenario and faced any freezing problems with that % of mixture? Thanks, Jerry

 

I wouldn't risk cracking your block in the winter over that mixture. If you really think you are benefiting that much more with the added percentage of water just change it in spring/fall.

I would personally like to see some tests of coolant temps with 50/50 vs the 75/25 mixture, even 60/40 before i thought about changing my coolant mixture. Does anyone have any?

 

The sticker on the hood specifically states to run 45% or HIGHER EG and 55% or LOWER water. In my experience, 55% EG is the best ticket, combined with a pint of Water Wetter.

 

Don't forget, antifreeze helps to lubricate your water pump....plus it has anti-corrosion properties (which wear out eventually) so you don't want to let the antifreeze go too low in the mix. There's more to it than just cooling the engine. It would be wise to stick close to the factory recommendations.

 

I haven't heard that having a 75% water, 25% ethylene glycol mix could possibly effect it's anti-corrosion properties, but I guess it could over time. I'm more concerned about the immediate concern of the coolant possibly freezing in the upcoming winter.
I figure since my car will be parked in a garage, and the engine protected by the body of the car, then it would have to get pretty damn cold in my garage for it to freeze. But I guess it's possible, I just have to decide if I'm going to take that chance.

 

it would be safe in your garage, but what happens when you drive it somewhere and park it several hours while you're at work/class/hang out (or whatever you do)? i wouldn't expect the block to freeze for a while, but you could crack the end tanks on you radiator easily.

 

http://www.carcare.org/Cooling_System/antifreeze.shtml


Description: The most common formulation of antifreeze is green in color and uses ethylene glycol as a base with anti-corrosion additives mixed in. The ethylene glycol part of the formula provides crucial anti-freezing characteristics and the additives deliver the anti-rust and anti-corrosion capabilities. Beginning with 1995 models, most GM vehicles started coming from the factory filled with an extended-life antifreeze, trademarked as DEX-COOL®. Distinctively different in appearance, DEX-COOL®, and its aftermarket equivalents, is an orange/amber color. It still uses ethylene glycol as a base, but contains a different additive package than standard green-colored antifreeze. This coolant is designed to protect cooling systems for up to 150,000 miles or five years. Other antifreeze formulations include silicate-free for Japanese cars and phosphate-free for European cars.


Purpose: When properly mixed, antifreeze and water provide excellent anti-freeze, anti-boil and anticorrosive properties.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Check your owner's manual for antifreeze usage specifications. Antifreeze, when mixed at a 50/50 ratio with water, provides excellent anti-freeze, anti-boil, and anti-corrosive properties. In extremely cold environments, the ratio for standard ethylene glycol can go as high as 70% antifreeze, 30% water. With DEX-COOL®, the maximum ratio of antifreeze to water is 60/40. Although DEX-COOL® type antifreeze can be mixed with standard ethylene glycol antifreeze, DEX-COOL® loses its 5 yr./150,000 life. As such, it's best not to mix antifreeze types unless absolutely necessary. All coolants must be diluted with water at the proper ratios and should not be used full-strength. Full-strength antifreeze actually has a lower freeze point than when mixed with water. Generally, standard ethylene glycol type antifreeze should be changed every two years or 24,000 miles. Even though the coolant freeze protection may test OK with a hydrometer (freeze protection only drops with extreme dilution, not with age), the additives break down over time. When changing coolant, it also presents an opportune time to replace bad cooling system hoses. Leaking, brittle, spongy, cracked, or rotted hoses should be replaced before new antifreeze is installed. Hose clamp connections should also be checked to ensure that they're secure and free from leaks. If you decide to service your cooling system yourself, use extreme caution: Opening a hot radiator or coolant reservoir/overflow tank can cause severe burns. Be sure that both the engine and cooling system are cool before you begin any heating/cooling system maintenance or repairs. Because of lower hood profiles and cramped engine quarters, it's also possible that your car may be equipped with an air bleed for the cooling system. Unless the cooling system is bled properly, air may stay trapped in the system and cause erratic temperatures, or in extreme cases, engine or cooling system damage. If you're unsure about any aspect of cooling system service, don't take a chance. Have your car looked at by a professional service technician.

 

I see what you guys are saying and I'm not trying to argue with you, I just figured there has to be a number of people who are running less than a 50/50 mix with no ill effects. I just wondered if anyone has run a 75/25 in a moderate/cold winter enviroment?
I probably won't drive the car even out of the garage on days that are less than freezing anyway, just because of the tires I have on it are a nightmare on ice. So my only concern is how cold it might get in the garage.

 

I use 70 water 30 antifreeze plus 1 bottle waterwetter. I live in northern Texas, so winters do go below 32 but 18 is about the lowest and car is garaged and not allowed out on cold nights. Redline waterwetter site has some info on cooling properties at different ratios

 

Good info, won't have to worry about end tanks though as I have a Koyo radiator

 

/\ lol frozen coolant owns everything alum or otherwise...