Coolant Mix Ratios?

[RangerOwnerDave]

Just got into an argument with my dad about me wanting to add 50-50 coolant to my Ranger. He says its best to add straight concentrated coolant because how cold the winters and hot summers have been. And that he has seen other vehicles at the carwash he works at that boil over cause they been using 50-50. I'm well below the cold fill line about 2" below, I've neglected topping it off over the years. Makes sense to use a different ratio if we lived in Arizona or Canada, but I live in Illinois, temps are not that intense for so long. I've never had the temp needle go far past the middle. It stays close to center left in winter and summer.
Do you all do your own mix ratios? 2 to 1, 3 to 1, 4 to 1?

Sponsored

 

[ScarzRanger21(2.0)]

Using the 50/50 ratio and the correct type of coolant protects against freezing down to -34°F. The coldest record temp it’s gotten where you live is -36°. Honestly, I would run 50/50 and not worry about it. There’s a reason Ford recommends it.

Not trying to trash on your dad but running 100% concentrated coolant can actually cause your engine to overheat more than running 50/50. It’s thicker so it doesn’t circulate properly, it wears out seals faster, and the higher glycol content of concentrated coolant doesn’t transfer heat as efficiently. Ironically it also reduces the freezing protection.

If you’re going to do something other than 50/50, don’t go more than 70% coolant.

 

[ctechbob]

Is he thinking of adding 100% coolant from a bottle that is already mixed at 50/50? In that case, he's right. Lots of coolant comes pre-mixed these days. Those you don't want to add anything to, but if you buy the concentrate it must be mixed with water to be effective and not do damage to the cooling system.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

Just got into an argument with my dad about me wanting to add 50-50 coolant to my Ranger. He says its best to add straight concentrated coolant because how cold the winters and hot summers have been. And that he has seen other vehicles at the carwash he works at that boil over cause they been using 50-50. I'm well below the cold fill line about 2" below, I've neglected topping it off over the years. Makes sense to use a different ratio if we lived in Arizona or Canada, but I live in Illinois, temps are not that intense for so long. I've never had the temp needle go far past the middle. It stays close to center left in winter and summer.
Do you all do your own mix ratios? 2 to 1, 3 to 1, 4 to 1?

No, I buy the pre-diluted yellow anti-freeze as prescribed by Ford and don't think about it. I did this in Florida, and do it now that I live in Michigan.

The 50/50 mix is good down to -37°C, which is right around the record lows for your state. If you plan to drive around in -39°C, the you're better off installing a block heater. The only time you need to be concerned about the outside temps is at startup. Once the vehicle is running the coolant is always significantly warmer than the outside air (like burn your skin warm).

I prefer to just use the prediluted coolant and not drive when its -36C outside.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Is he thinking of adding 100% coolant from a bottle that is already mixed at 50/50? In that case, he's right. Lots of coolant comes pre-mixed these days. Those you don't want to add anything to, but if you buy the concentrate it must be mixed with water to be effective and not do damage to the cooling system.

10-4. It's getting harder to find non-premix anymore. Most mfr's use filtered and distilled water when making premix, as opposed to tap water, which has minerals that can act as a mild abrasive, and chlorine, fluoride iron, sulfur, radon, and the rest of the periodic table in some cases.

 

[dozxab]

Keep it at the recommended 50/50. The water does the cooling, the additive is an anti-freeze, anti-boil and lubricant. If you do add water, grab a gallon of distilled water from Walmart. $1.38 well spent.

 

[ctechbob]

10-4. It's getting harder to find non-premix anymore. Most mfr's use filtered and distilled water when making premix, as opposed to tap water, which has minerals that can act as a mild abrasive, and chlorine, fluoride iron, sulfur, radon, and the rest of the periodic table in some cases.

You can buy the undiluted stuff straight from Valvoline/Zerex. I buy the concentrate because it is about half the cost of the pre-mix.

Ok, so not exactly half by the time you buy a gallon of distilled water, but still....

 

[midwayfordranger2021]

I had to add some coolant last summer after 60,000 miles and went to the dealer and got a gallon of their straight antifreeze...mixed it 50-50 with distilled water and topped off the tank. I agree with everyone that the 50-50 mix is the way to go to get optimal freeze/boilover protection. It doesn't get cold here...but I have driven in Arizona at 115 degrees...with a trailer... and the gauge didn't even get to halfway.

 

[Frenchy]

It all depends on where you live and normally operate the vehicle for what is going to work best. That said a 50/50 mixture is usually a good all round deal for most. What he might have meant was it's best to get full strength and mix it with distilled water to save a bit, but some modern coolant is hard to get in full strength now.

 

[RangerOwnerDave]

He does mean "Add concentrated straight in, not diluted."

Sponsored