Can I use alkaline water for coolant?

Pure, triple-distilled water achieves a neutral pH value of 7.0. Tap water has slightly alkaline values usually around 7.5 – 8.0. The coolant in the engine should always be slightly alkaline (pH value >7) and never acidic (pH value <7), otherwise the seals will be damaged.
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What type of water do you mix with coolant?

Always mix it with distilled water. And the way you do that is before you pour anything back into the cooling system or put it in at any time, you mix coolant and distilled water fifty-fifty, then you put the mix in.
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Can you use any water for coolant?

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. And over a long period of time they can lead to over-heating.
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What happens if you don't use distilled water in coolant?

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As it chemically removes electrons from the metals of cooling system components, distilled water eventually does extreme damage that could lead to cooling system failure.
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Which water is best for radiator?

By itself, distilled water, is much better at heat transfer compared to antifreeze/coolants. However, water, by itself, causes the metal parts in the cooling system to corrode. Antifreeze/coolants also cause corrosion, but modern versions of the product have been infused with rust inhibitors.
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Water vs Coolant Temperature Test. Which One is Better



How do I make distilled water?

The process of distilling is simple: Heat tap water to the point that it turns to vapor. When the vapor condenses back to water, it leaves behind any mineral residue. The resulting condensed liquid is distilled water.
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What can I use instead of coolant?

Water by itself can't do the job of antifreeze due to its lack of boiling and freezing point range and its inability to protect your vehicle's engine. Plus, it doesn't absorb heat as effectively. In the case of an absolute emergency, you can use water in your coolant rank.
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Can I use coolant without water?

Reason No. 3 is that water must be mixed with the antifreeze-coolant in order to keep the performance additives (silicates, phosphates and nitrates) suspended. Without water, these important additives tend to settle. If they do that, you lose anti-corrosion and other additive protection.
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How long can a car drive without coolant?

However, if you absolutely must start your car without coolant, it can probably run for about a minute without too much risk of damage. You may be able to get away with as much as 5 minutes of running without coolant, depending on the engine, car model, and how hard you're asking the engine to work.
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What happens if you add water to 50/50 coolant?

You aren't really protecting anything by doing it. You're just putting a weak form of antifreeze into your cooling system, which will drop the freeze point a few degrees, but won't stop it from freezing. 50/50 coolant is ready to use. Don't add water to it.
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How do I make my own engine coolant?

How to Make Radiator Coolant
  1. Pour one gallon of the antifreeze of your choice into a large bucket or large mixing jug.
  2. Pour one gallon of distilled water into the bucket or mixing jug. Mix them together thoroughly and use the coolant blend in the car's radiator. Store the coolant blend in a large, tightly sealed jug.
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Can you use urine as coolant?

The Motor MythBusters have their work cut out in testing urine as an effective liquid coolant, but at least they don't have to worry about where the closest restroom is.
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Can you make homemade antifreeze?

Make radiator antifreeze by adding one gallon of antifreeze to a bucket or jug and mix it together. Use a bucket or mixing jug to place one gallon of distilled water. Make sure you thoroughly mix together the coolant blends used in the hot car to make sure you've gotten the right blend.
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Is boiled water distilled?

No, they aren't the same. Boiled water is simply water that has had the temperature increased until it reaches its boiling point. This kills a host of bacteria that can make a person sick. Distilled water is water that has been stripped of all impurities, including minerals and microorganisms.
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Is rain water distilled?

This is because rainwater is pure, distilled water evaporated from the sun - nothing else. However, when rainwater falls from the sky, substances from the air and land melt into the rainwater. Fortunately, when rainwater soaks into the ground, it then becomes mineral water.
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Can I make my own distilled water?

To make distilled water, first place a round baking rack in the bottom of a 5-gallon (19-L) stainless steel pot and fill the pot halfway with tap water. Then, place a glass bowl in the water so it floats. Turn the cover to the pot upside down, place it over the pot, and fill it with ice.
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Can I use salt water for antifreeze?

absolutely not. Salt water will cause corrosion with in the engine block. Salt water is an electrolyte, so will pass electricity which will cause electrolysis. Also, it might be able to handle a bit lower/higher temps than straight water, it doesn't work as well as antifreeze.
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Can I use alcohol as antifreeze?

you can actually use alcohol as an antifreeze with water and will be non flammable below 100proof (50%) which freezes at -25 F so depending on your system this will expand your cooling capabilities! so if you are trying not to have a flammable fluid in your computer you now know where you can hold it at!
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Can vodka be used as antifreeze?

In fact, before modern coolants were developed, people used to use wood alcohol in their cooling systems (vodka is actually a grain alcohol, but it's composition is similar). Mixed with water, alcohol lowered the mixture's freezing temperature, and helped keep the engine from freezing during the winter.
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Can I put ordinary water in my car?

You can put water into your car radiator if your engine is overheating, the coolant overflow reservoir is very low or empty, and you have no other option.
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Can I add water to green coolant?

The short answer is no, you can't mix tap water with engine coolant. Distilled water can work, but it is not ideal. Soft water is the best solution.
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Why is my coolant green?

Why is Antifreeze Green? If antifreeze is green, that probably means it was made from an older formula that uses something called Inorganic Additive Technology. Green antifreeze is made with special tweaks to the formula specifically to help prevent the corrosion of metals in a vehicle's cooling system.
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Can vinegar be used to flush a radiator?

You can choose to pour either 50% distilled water and 50% white vinegar mixed up, or pure white vinegar. Let it soak overnight or longer if you have time. One to two days should be enough. Release the liquid, then rinse the radiator with distilled water.
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Is coolant and antifreeze the same thing?

Engine coolant, also known as antifreeze, is mixed with water to keep the radiator from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in extreme heat. There are many different types of coolant, so it's important to know what variety is right for your car or truck.
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