Safe freezing temp for coolant?

Joined
May 3, 2009
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378
Location
Arkansas
I bought a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 Clasic 4x4 brand new. I was changing the antifreeze in my tractor and jeep and just decided to check my truck for curiosity. Since its new I didn't feel like I needed to. It floats 3 balls in the checker and the 4th ball about halfway up. 3 balls +5 degrees. Shouldn't it be at least -25 degrees? I'm in north central Arkansas.
 
I use the old fashion green stuff that's been around for the last 80+ years in all my vehicles and always shoot for a 50/50 mix. As has already been stated 50/50 will hold you to about -30 to -40*F.
 
They made an alternative pet-friendly PG coolant. Sierra?

They seem to have stopped, and just put bittering agent in EG.

I suspect your ball thingie is out of calibration. Take a sample, dilute it 50/50 again (so it's 25/75) and put it in your freezer. See if it slushes below the temp it's supposed to. 10'F, by the chart I found.
 
If you’re are planning on breaking the 1905 low temp record record In Arkansas , use 50/50.

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I think this is what mine is. Id have to put some in clear glass to tell. I guess its real dark purple.
 

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This a good deal?
 

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Try to get one that has temperature compensation and Fahrenheit scale. There are a ton of look-a-likes at $20 -$25 on Amazon also. There is no way to determine quality, so I would go with a brand that at least seems to have some kind of company support. They are simple mechanisms and you can calibrate them with plain water or known 50/50 coolant.

Go for it!!! Once you use a refractometer you will wonder why you didn't get one sooner. It's such a pleasure to read an actual value vs. floating balls. A faulty cheap Prestone needle type drove me to a refractometer.
 
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All of those cheap refractometers likely come from the same factory or factories. I've bought four of them so far and the construction was identical on two different "brands" with the only difference being the scales printed on.
 
As others have said, "get a Refractometer"
They check both types of Antifreeze, Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol / and Battery Fluid.
I have a separate Refractometer for just checking the Battery.

They are reasonably priced, accurate and simple to use.
 
As others have said, "get a Refractometer"
They check both types of Antifreeze, Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol / and Battery Fluid.
I have a separate Refractometer for just checking the Battery.

They are reasonably priced, accurate and simple to use.

You mean like this? It will do Ethylene Glycol / Propylene Glycol to +/- 5 deg F. or Batteries to +/- 0.01 SG
ATD-3705 (Advanced Tool Design)
 

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