antifreeze info chemical Man

Is it OK to put water instead of coolant?

In general, using water as coolant is OK for a short time or as a "get you home" alternative, but it does not have the anti-freeze and corrosion inhibiting properties of a proper coolant mix, so should not be left in the engine for any length of time, especially if you live in a cold climate.

What temperature does water freeze in your car?

We've all been taught that water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, 0 degrees Celsius, 273.15 Kelvin. That's not always the case, though. Scientists have found liquid water as cold as -40 degrees F in clouds and even cooled water down to -42 degrees F in the lab.

What is propylene glycol used for?

Propylene glycol is used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as an antifreeze when leakage might lead to contact with food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is "generally recognized as safe" for use in food.

Is there a difference between coolant and antifreeze?

Antifreeze, also known as coolant, is a bright yellow or green liquid that mixes with the water in cars, trucks and other vehicles to keep the radiators from freezing or overheating. Made from either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, antifreeze and coolant change the freezing and boiling points of water.

What type of water should be mixed with antifreeze?

The question comes up: Do I use regular tap water when mixing my coolant and water together? No, you should use distilled water or better yet, de-ionized water. The reason for this is that tap water has minerals that can deform deposits inside the radiator and the cooling system passages of your engine.

Can you top up the coolant with water?

If your coolant level is too low (below or near the lower mark), top it up using a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze (for normal driving conditions). You can use clean tap water in an emergency, but make up the antifreeze concentration afterwards). DO NOT overfill!

What temperature does unleaded gasoline freeze?

Gas with ethanol will freeze lower. I would hazard a guess that for northern-state winter blend gas, going down to -70F (the freezing temperature of octane) is fine. Of course, that's probably all moot. Gasoline engines don't start when they get too cold, because the fuel doesn't vaporize properly.