People usually only think about anti-freeze when the temperature drops below zero. While it's true, anti-freeze does lower the point at which your coolant freezes, it also raises the point at which your coolant boils in the summer. While those are reasons enough to not run straight water in your cooling system, another benefit of anti-freeze is, it has anti-corrosives to keep the metal parts of your system from breaking down, as well as lubricants to keep your water pump seals healthy.
When you're shopping for coolant, it's important to buy the right kind. Make sure you check your owners manual so you get the right stuff. Typically, older cars use the green, ethylene glycol-based coolant, while newer cars need the orange Dex-Cool compatible. Coolant is always diluted 50/50 with water, and you can actually buy it that way from the store. If you do buy the full strength, make sure you only dilute it with distilled water. Tap water has calcium and chlorine, which can make the coolant not as effective.
What happens if you accidentally put green into an orange system, or vice versa? That's bad! The two mixed together, along with the heat of your cooling system, will turn into sludge. Your only option is to drain it, flush it, and replace it with the correct coolant.
Not only is this stuff pretty to look at, but animals find it sweet to the taste. But, it's poisonous. So if you do drain your system make sure you dispose of this stuff properly. We'll see you next time with more Driver's Ed