Can I Add Mineral Water When the Coolant Warning Light Comes On?

[VanessaRose]

In emergency situations, it is acceptable to add water to the car's antifreeze. Using mineral water is better than tap water, but for long-term use, only pure antifreeze should be employed. If impurities mix into the antifreeze or its concentration decreases, it can lead to slow corrosion of the cooling system. Over time, this may cause system leaks and even damage the gasket between the engine block and cylinder head. Below is relevant information: 1. Antifreeze: The full name of antifreeze should be antifreeze coolant, meaning it is a coolant with antifreeze properties. Antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing in cold winter conditions, which could otherwise crack the radiator or damage the engine block or cylinder head. 2. Winter Precautions: In winter, it's important to replace the antifreeze in advance to avoid issues like cylinder cracking caused by water freezing and expanding.