Optimum Anti Freeze Rate?

[AMXguy]

When you look at an anti freeze protection mix chart are they saying you're good to that temp before you have trouble or that's where you freeze solid? I know from experience in farm equipment a small amount of anti freeze will prevent freeze damage but I don't know what that rate is.

 We all know water cools better than anti freeze but I live where it can get to 20 below, I don't drive the car in the winter so I want o keep my rate down but not have to worry about freeze damage. the chart shows 1 gallon in a 15 quart system protects to 8 above, I think they mean you can drive it in 8 degree weather, or does that mean you push freeze plugs below that?

[Changin Gears]

The chart has nothing to do with driving, that is the temp the mixture will freeze at.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Unless you have some serious heating issues, I think most of us keep a 50/50 mix to keep it simple.


  Mike

[quagmire]

50/50 is generally ideal, any different than that and you start running into potential cooling, freeze protection, lubrication, and corrosion protection problems. 

[AMXguy]

That's what I've always done, I was just thinking since the label on Royal purples coolant junk says 20% anti freeze is enough for a sreet car I'd see what others are doing. they probably figure everyone lives in California or something, but I know a little bit of anti freeze keep things from freezing solid  in some real cold weather it just gets slushy.

[Chryco Psycho]

you have to be 60/40 here minimum

[heminut]

or does that mean you push freeze plugs below that?

Don't rely on those plugs to come out before the freezing damages a block or head, that's not their purpose!