Can I add mineral water to my car's coolant?
2 Answers
Adding ordinary water can easily cause rust and clog the radiator. In emergency situations, water can be added, preferably distilled water, but this is only to prevent overheating due to insufficient coolant. If used as an emergency measure, water can be added, but it must be drained afterward and replaced with coolant. Here are some relevant details about coolant: 1. Detail one: The full name of coolant is antifreeze coolant, which is a coolant with antifreeze properties, also known as antifreeze. 2. Detail two: Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine block during cold weather. Antifreeze is not just for winter use; it should be used year-round. As part of regular car maintenance, the engine coolant should be replaced every year.
I remember a few years ago when I was driving to the outskirts, the coolant warning light suddenly came on. With no repair shops nearby, I panicked and added bottled mineral water as an emergency measure. As a result, the engine overheated and broke down within half an hour. The tow truck driver later inspected it and said the minerals in the mineral water could corrode the internal pipes of the radiator, forming scale that blocks water flow and potentially causing rust and leaks, which is highly dangerous. Additionally, the boiling point of mineral water is too low, and the high temperatures during normal engine operation can easily cause it to boil and create vapor lock. Since then, I’ve never risked adding any non-specialized fluids again. I now regularly check the coolant level and always keep distilled water in the car for emergencies. Such small oversights can lead to major accidents—safety should always come first when driving. Don’t make the same mistake I did and regret it later.
