Can Antifreeze Be Mixed with Water?
2 Answers
Antifreeze cannot be mixed with water. Adding water to automotive antifreeze will degrade its performance. The impurities in water can cause sedimentation, leading to a loss of the antifreeze's normal effectiveness. At lower temperatures, this can result in frozen pipes, affecting normal usage. There are generally two types of antifreeze: one is a concentrate that requires dilution with water, and the other is a ready-to-use type that does not require any water addition. Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing during cold winter parking, thereby avoiding radiator cracks and engine cylinder block damage due to freezing. Its full name is antifreeze coolant, and it should be used year-round.
As a seasoned DIY car enthusiast, I must say adding water to coolant is best avoided. Last winter, when my car was low on coolant, I took the shortcut of topping it up with tap water. Within months, the engine started making strange noises. At the repair shop, they found the radiator completely corroded. The mechanic explained that coolant doesn't just prevent freezing - it also prevents boiling and corrosion. Adding water dilutes its protective properties, especially risking frozen expansion damage in winter. In emergencies like roadside leaks, you can use distilled water from supermarkets for temporary relief, but only in small amounts before promptly replacing with fresh coolant. Since switching to a professional brand and checking every six months, I've had zero issues. Don't underestimate these savings - engine corrosion repairs easily cost thousands.