Can You Add Tap Water to a Car's Radiator?
1 Answers
You should not add tap water to a car's radiator. Correct Practice: When replenishing or replacing coolant, you should use coolant instead of water as a substitute. Of course, if you are driving and notice that the car's temperature gauge is running too high and you cannot find coolant immediately, you can temporarily use some bottled purified water as a stopgap measure. This is acceptable for a short period, but you should replace it with coolant as soon as possible. Boiling Point of Coolant: The boiling point of coolant is above 120 degrees Celsius, while water boils at only 100 degrees Celsius. Using coolant prevents your car from "overheating" in the summer. Effects of Using Water Instead of Coolant: Using water instead of coolant can lead to the formation of scale, requiring frequent replacement, whereas coolant does not have this issue. Impact of Water on the Cooling System: Water can cause some corrosion to the cooling system, while coolant contains additives that prevent corrosion and rust. Therefore, to maintain your most fuel-efficient family car, you should use coolant in the summer and never substitute it with tap water.