Anti- freeze ratios

[T4Rscott]

Hey all,

I’m about to do some major services to my 99, to include water pump, timing belt, coolant flush, and finally a transmission service.

Now to my question, my former mechanic did my timing belt the last time, and when he replaced the coolant, he put in a 60:40 mix. What is everyone’s opinion on this? I live in southern Maine and we see some cold temps. We haven’t seen -34 or colder in a while. Would I be fine with 50:50 or should I do a 60:40? Is there any other differences besides freeze/ boil point?

Thanks

 

[Iffykid]

At 60 I have spent most of my life between Northern Wisconsin, UP of Michigan and Mn and never needed anything other than 50/50 and vehicles always lived out doors.

 

[T4Rscott]

You just saved me a minor hassle!

 

[dogtail]

You can buy a 50/50 premix like Prestone or other brands. That way you don't need to mix it yourself. I think that's more common these days. But 50/50 in New England for sure.

 

[Jidaran]

Water does a better job of sucking the heat from the engine than antifreeze (which is why you're not simply using pure antifreeze). When you reduce the water ratio, you lower the freeze point, but you also make your engine's cooling system less efficient.

Toyota Red 50 / 50 is rated to -34 degrees, fWIW.

 

[thegipper]

Walmart sells Valvoline/Zerex Toyota pink coolant pre-mixed at 50/50. That should be fine for the entire lower 48.

 

[Hyde802]

Im from Central VT, I do a 60/40 ish in everything.

Id rather be safe than sorry on those -20 days.

You can also get a antifreeze tester, which will tell you the status of the antifreeze if your unsure.

Amazon.com: ABN Deluxe Antifreeze and Coolant Tester Hydrometer Tester – Automotive Antifreeze Tester for Ethylene Glycol Coolant: Automotive

 

[brillo_76]

I never go above 50/50 but it doesn't get that cold around here. Rarely are we ever below -20 at night in PA. Granted the further north you go the colder the winter nights can be. I dont ever recall a night in my life where it was below -30 or so.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[gamefreakgc]

Water does a better job of sucking the heat from the engine than antifreeze (which is why you're not simply using pure antifreeze). When you reduce the water ratio, you lower the freeze point, but you also make your engine's cooling system less efficient.

Toyota Red 50 / 50 is rated to -34 degrees, fWIW.

Yep, that's the gist of it. Where I live in CA it doesn't drop below 30 degrees. I do take trips up in the snow every winter but the Sierra Nevada's don't get cold so the lowest temps I've ever been in are in the teens.

For that reason I run a 40/60 mix, 40% fluid and 60% water. It keeps my engine cooler in the summer when it's 100+ degrees out. Basically, you have to look at the coldest temp you'd ever see and the hottest temp you'd ever see and make adjustments accordingly. The owners manual even has different oil recommendations based on that same principle, some climates would be better off not using 5W-30 oil.

 

[phattyduck]

Yep, that's the gist of it. Where I live in CA it doesn't drop below 30 degrees. I do take trips up in the snow every winter but the Sierra Nevada's don't get cold so the lowest temps I've ever been in are in the teens.

For that reason I run a 40/60 mix, 40% fluid and 60% water. It keeps my engine cooler in the summer when it's 100+ degrees out. Basically, you have to look at the coldest temp you'd ever see and the hottest temp you'd ever see and make adjustments accordingly. The owners manual even has different oil recommendations based on that same principle, some climates would be better off not using 5W-30 oil.

Same here - I run 40/60-ish coolant/water in my vehicles. I did have a scare years back in Mammoth when I woke up to -10*F temps one morning. Luckily, no issues!

-Charlie