Is there any better water other than tap water to mix with car coolant for the 50% mix?

Question

This site suggests:
http://www.zebraskimmers.com/oil_skimmer_products/metalworking_refractometers_pHtesters.html

"Tap water contains minerals that can harm your coolant"

I was just wondering if there was a better form of treated / pure / distilled / evian water to use?

Thanks.

Answer 1

You should never use tap water in a radiator under any circumstances. The easiest method would to be buying the pre-mixed antifreeze. It is already at the right 50/50 concentration and can be used as it comes out of the bottle. I know what you are thinking, "Why would I pay for water?". The answer is the same reason you buy bottled water to drink.

If you insist on buying the concentrate and mixing your own, use distilled water.

Answer 2

Ideally, if you want to, you can flush the whole system with distilled or purified water and replace it with 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled or purified water but unless you live in an area with really hard water, it's not necessary. The trace amounts of minerals in regular tap or well water don't make it worth the effort and should be fine.

Answer 3

Any distilled water is ok in my opinion. During the radiator/ coolant flush, use tap water. Then before adding the antifreeze, run the car adding distilled water each time to dilute the tap water. Finally, fill the radiator with 100% antifreeze.

Answer 4

Alot of people think tap water is bad for your car because the Haynes or Chiltons manual says it is. There is nothing wrong with using tap water at all. First of all, you have to remember how hot your engine gets. That heat alone will burn up most if it if not all of those "bad" minerals. And second of all, your local dealership or mechanic uses TAP water. So there is really no reason to wonder about what type of water to add. Just as long as you add it!!!

Answer 5

I wouldn't use Evian, but why not try distilled b/c then you wouldn't have the minerals to harm your coolant?

Actually I'm not a car engine enthusiast. I stick my key in the ignition and it runs. I do have a nice car though. But I'm not the one who maintains it, my mechanic does.

Answer 6

Alot of us use distilled water as it is supposed to be close to pure water. 'Redline water wetter' is an additive that can be used to reduce the surface tension of water (a desirable thing in cooling systems). Technically the very best cooling agent is 100% water as you might find in racing cars. The antifreeze additive does nothing to aid cooling, rather it is useful to prevent freezing at zero celsius, lubricate the water pump and prevent deposits forming in engine.

Answer 7

Distilled is considered the best, but if you change your coolant every 60k I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 8

Using tap is okay but soft water or disstilled is best keeps your coolant system fresh

Answer 9

distilled water

Answer 10

If you are that worried about it use distilled water.