[Z06] how much antifreeze do I really need?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal.
how much antifreeze do I really need?
Has anybody tried running a 20/80 mixture? I live in southern california, and given the fact that it never gets below 50 here, I was wondering if I need antifreeze at all. My car's an everyday driver so I see fair ammounts of traffic. I was wondering what would happen if I ran with only 1 gal of dexcool. I even figuered using a little water wetter just to keep it running as cool as possible. Correct me if I'm wrong but coolant doesn't aid in reducing engine temps. In my understading it's not coolant at all but is freeze protection. 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Modern "antifreeze" does much more than just keep the coolant from "freezing", in fact Dexcool is formulated as a "coolant" .... here are the advantages of a 50/50 mix with water
* Won't freeze until -34F
* INCREASES the boiling point higher than water
* Helps in heat transfer ... absorbs heat from the engine faster than water and radiates heat faster in the radiator.
* Contains corrosion inhibitors to protect the engine from corrosion or deposits forming in the engine coolant galleries
The 50/50 mix keeps your engine cooler than water does, and offers better protection against boiling in particularly hot situations. Stick with what GM recommends ... a 50/50 mix of Dexcool and clean water.
* Won't freeze until -34F
* INCREASES the boiling point higher than water
* Helps in heat transfer ... absorbs heat from the engine faster than water and radiates heat faster in the radiator.
* Contains corrosion inhibitors to protect the engine from corrosion or deposits forming in the engine coolant galleries
The 50/50 mix keeps your engine cooler than water does, and offers better protection against boiling in particularly hot situations. Stick with what GM recommends ... a 50/50 mix of Dexcool and clean water.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
100% on the mark. You need the Dexcool to prevent damage to internals on the engine. The corrosion inhibitors in the coolant are very important, as well as the increase in boiling point. Adding a bottle of Water Wetter is a good idea as well. Consider using distilled or dionized water, rather than tap water, especially if the tap water in your area has a lot of minerals in it.The only time you should run just water with Water Wetter is if you are doing a track event at a place that prohibits the use of coolants. Otherwise, stick to the 50/50 mix with a bottle of Water Wetter for good measure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
100% on the mark. You need the Dexcool to prevent damage to internals on the engine. The corrosion inhibitors in the coolant are very important, as well as the increase in boiling point. Adding a bottle of Water Wetter is a good idea as well. Consider using distilled or dionized water, rather than tap water, especially if the tap water in your area has a lot of minerals in it.The only time you should run just water with Water Wetter is if you are doing a track event at a place that prohibits the use of coolants. Otherwise, stick to the 50/50 mix with a bottle of Water Wetter for good measure.
Jersey minds must think alike. I was going to post the exact same thing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 761
Likes: 335
From: Charlotte NC
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
I've dealt with lots of old cars, especially Jaguars, that were notorious for overheating. You learn very quickly how to improve cooling while still protecting vital engine components. In all my cars, old or new, it's always 50/50 mix with a bottle of Water Wetter, and as long as I service them regularly, make sure belts are in good condition and fans are working, I never have overheating problems, even in those notorious old Jaguar XKEs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi TAYLZ -
Just use 50/50 mix - others here have already pointed out that the water aids in cooling.
There is likely minimal risk from running a concentrated mix, but why spend the extra money when 50/50 is a proven mixture?
best regards -
mqqn
Just use 50/50 mix - others here have already pointed out that the water aids in cooling.
There is likely minimal risk from running a concentrated mix, but why spend the extra money when 50/50 is a proven mixture?
best regards -
mqqn
