Question: how to find d.water to coolant ratio

[NattyBoh]

So I'm draining and filling the coolant. What temp rating should I be looking for once the mixture is done? As in what freeze point should I have in the end. I'm located in MD.

 

[Colt45ws]

-34F is 50/50

 

[Merkava_4]

50/50

In a complicated world, some things are amazingly simple.

 

[eljefino]

Get an empty gallon jug. Use your best guess to sharpie a line halfway up. Pour half your AF in there. Then top off with water. Top off your AF jug with water. Pour approx a quart at a time from each vessel into the car until it's used up. If it's not, pour the temp jug back in the AF jug and mark it 50/50.

You'll be magically close to 50/50 even if your sharpie line's a little off.

You need the 50/50 for corrosion protection and boilover as well.

 

[NattyBoh]

Thanks guys. I guess you're right, 50/50 is your basic go to.

 

[WillsYoda]

50/50 is standard for everywhere except places that get below -30. For colder places that get below -30 in the U.S. or Canada, people generally go to 60/40. 50% coolant mix protects to -34.2 and 60% protects to -63 degrees. There are few places in North America that get colder than -63.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ethylene-glycol-d_146.html

The all-time record for Minnesota was set on February 2, 1996 in Tower where it got to -60.

 

[NattyBoh]

Can I use a standard coolant hydrometer for OAT ELC coolant, like Zerex ZXED-1.

I wasn't sure if it would work since it's not glycol based

 

[eljefino]

OAT is ethylene glycol it just has different additives.

IDK about "Sierra", the propolyne glycol, if they even still make it.

I would not trust the floaty balls. Just mix it right.

 

[barkingspider]

In your area, I would use 50/50

 

[WillsYoda]

Originally Posted By: NattyBoh
Can I use a standard coolant hydrometer for OAT ELC coolant, like Zerex ZXED-1.

I wasn't sure if it would work since it's not glycol based


Yes, that would work, but it isn't very precise. If you want good precision, get a refractometer like this one... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089EEWYE

 

[Colt45ws]

Yup, after screwing with hydrometers and never figuring them out, I bought a refractometer and can tell exactly where its at very reliably.