Coolant is an important part of any vehicle’s engine. It must be replaced periodically. By the way, It is a common question among car owners: Can I use bottled water for coolant? The answer to this question is complicated, as it depends on several factors.
Bottled water is generally safe to use in cooling systems. Because the majority of it meets drinking-water standards and carries no significant risk of contamination.
However, if your vehicle requires a specific type of coolant such as Dex-Cool or other extended-life antifreeze blends, then you should not use bottled water because these specialty coolants have additives that are not found in regular distilled water.
Moreover, if your engine has an aluminum radiator, then you should avoid using bottled water since its pH level could cause damage to the radiator over time. Instead of using bottled water for coolant in this situation, opt for antifreeze mixes specifically designed for aluminum radiators.
To be specific, you should not use bottled water as a substitute for radiator coolant in your vehicle. If there is no way to coolant immediately you can use bottled water.
While it is only good to drive short distances, you should ensure that the radiator is flushed and check the water level based on the correct coolant mixture. Let’s know it in detail:
Is Bottled Water Actually Safe for Coolant?
Bottled water is the go-to source for many individuals looking to stay hydrated. While some may think that bottled water is completely safe for cooling systems, this isn’t necessarily the case.
It’s important to keep in mind that bottled water is not distilled or specially treated for automotive use and therefore could contain small amounts of minerals, bacteria, and other contaminants.
Additionally, These elements can cause scaling inside an engine’s cooling system, leading to costly repairs down the road. This makes it essential to consider other options when searching for a coolant.
So using bottled water isn’t ultimately safe. You should use an actual Coolant fluid.
How to Use Bottled Water as Coolant?
- First, make sure that you have enough bottled water to fill up the radiator. Depending on the size of your car’s radiator, this could take anywhere from one to three bottles of water.
- Once you have enough, open up the hood and carefully pour in the bottled water into the radiator until it is full. The recommended temperature for proper cooling is between 180-210 degrees Fahrenheit. So check your temperature gauge before continuing with the next step.
- Next, add coolant fluid or antifreeze to your mixture of bottled water and regular coolant liquid already stored in your radiator tank (50/50 ratio).[If possible]
- Once full, replace the cap tightly on your radiator to ensure no leaks occur while driving.
Advantages of using bottled Water:
- Bottled water is easy to find and obtain.
- It can be used as an emergency coolant when other supplies are not available.
- Bottled water is reasonably priced and widely available in many locations.
- It does not contain contaminants that could damage the cooling system of a car or other engine-powered vehicle.
- It is quick and simple to install compared to other types of coolants.
Disadvantages of Using Water as Coolant:
- The use of bottled water for coolant is often seen as wasteful and can be costly over time.
- It may not be suitable for some engines, depending on their temperature requirements or the type of coolant used for them previously.
- There is no guarantee that it will provide adequate protection against corrosion or freezing due to changing temperatures.
- Using bottled water may void a vehicle’s warranty if the manufacturer recommends using a specific coolant fluid.
Can Coolant be Mixed with Water?
Yes, coolant can be mixed with water. Coolant is a type of antifreeze liquid used to regulate the temperature in car engines. It’s usually composed of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol and additives such as corrosion inhibitors and lubricants that help to extend the life of your car’s engine.
The mixture is typically 50% coolant and 50% water, but it can vary depending on the type of vehicle you have. Adding too much coolant can cause significant damage to your engine, so it’s important to follow manufacturer instructions when mixing coolant with water for optimum performance.
In addition, make sure you’re using distilled or de-ionized water instead of tap water, as regular tap water may contain minerals that could cause corrosion in your engine over time.
Alternatives to Bottled Water
The most common type of coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and distilled water. It keeps the liquid in your vehicle’s radiator from freezing while also raising its boiling point.
Distilled water can often be found at hardware stores or auto parts shops, although it may cost more than regular tap or spring water.
While some people opt to buy pre-mixed coolant solutions, using distilled water yourself will give you the opportunity to customize your own mix according to the manufacturer’s specifications for your particular vehicle.
Conclusion
Using bottled water as a coolant for your car can be a viable alternative to pre-mixed coolants, but it’s not recommended.
It’s important to check with a certified mechanic first and make sure you understand the risks before taking this step. You should also be sure that you are using pure bottled water, either distilled or purified and not mineral or spring water.
Additionally, it is important to remember that in most cases, prolonged usage of bottled water will cause buildup and corrosion over time.
