is prestone 50/50 mix good? or 70/30 better for car?

[ziggy]

1995 plymouth neon. i see prestone makes a 50/50 mix anit freeze. but sometiems i read, its better to use, 70/30 mix, with distilled water. is the 50/50 mix any good? or should i mix it myself?

 

[CharBaby]

The 50/50 IMHO is designed for the person who just wants to drain and refill, not flush and fill. 50/50 is just fine unless you live in a climate where it is extreamly hot or cold,(Death Valley or Antarctica). And only then might you want to consider 60/40 or 70/30.

 

[ScottB]

I always thought 60/40 was the base for most in the "normal" range of climates?

Scott

 

[Ken2]

Antifreeze has corrosion inhibitors, carries less heat than water, and prevents freezing. So...too little AF means too little corrosion and freeze protection. Too much AF means too little heat carrying abilility.

Generally 60% water and 40% AF to 60% AF and 40% water are the recommended ranges...60% AF in regions of frigid winter weather. 50/50 is a good compromise for most parts of the country.


Ken

 

[Ray H]

What some folks find hard to believe is that 100% antifreeze freezes solid at a higher temperature than a 50/50 mix.

 

[Ray H]

...duplicate post...

 

[Vilan]

Ditto what Char Baby said. A 50/50 mix is good down to, what, -34 F or something like that. Only very extreme climates will need better protection than that.

 

[TurboLuver]

What Ken2 said x2....

 

[mechtech]

Plain water cools the best, but has a lower boiling point, and no corrosion additives.
I would bias the mixture with more water than antifreeze, if I lived in a warm climate.
I wouldn't use more than 70% water.

 

[John K]

Nothing wrong with 50/50 premix, but it is not the economical choice. You are paying for the convenience. Anytime you buy something premixed with water you are paying for the shipping of that water. I have to admit I haven't compared the prices though....