Worried!

[Gold Digger]

I may mix my antifreeze a little strong, 2 gallons of 100% Preston and the rest water in all my "A's". Never look back or worry. They run cool, never lime up, or freeze. I remember my Dad always worrying and fretting about whether he had enough antifreeze in the vehicle to keep it from freezing. I remember his old Chevy froze up and busted the head once, and he was always having the radiator freeze up while driving down the road because he never got the freezing point below the coldest the thermometers read in our area. When he was good for -10* and it was probable -5* the fan drawing cold air through the radiator it must have been -30* and always froze up and blew all the water out. I never did get it across to him what was happening. That's why I always go strong on antifreeze and save on heads and blocks and troubles on the road.

[clo2jim]

Take it from somebody that lives in Northern Ontario and had already experienced -30°F weather this winter already and -61° F in the winter of 1982, and using the chart below - you will have no problems with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze to water. In the winter of 1982 when I experience -62°F (-52°C) I was using a mixture of 60-65% antifreeze to water and had no issues.

In fact a mixture of 70% antifreeze to 30% water will protect down to -72°F.

On the other hand, a 100 percent antifreeze solution (no water mixed in) has a freezing point of only 10 degrees F. above ZERO, it could turn to pure slush when outdoor temperatures drop lower than that.

So it is always better to mix water with the antifreeze - use the guidelines in the table below -a 50/50 mixtures is probably the best to use - This will also increase the boiling point of the solution and you will have less likelihood of boiling over in the summer especially in the south. In fact any new car purchased will come with an antifreeze/water mixture which is optimum to the car. Just refer to your owners manual with your modern vehicle.

FREEZING POINTS FOR SOLUTIONS OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL

GLYCOL % BY VOLUME Freezing Point °F °C

12.5% 25°F -4°C
17% 20°F -7°C

25% 10°F -12°C
32.5% 0°F -18°C
38.5% -10°F -23°C
44% -20°F -29°C
49% -30°F -34°C
52.5% -40°F -40°C
70% -72°F -58°C

[clo2jim]

Back in 1982 when I experienced -62°F or -52°C, I had no difficulty starting my car. Of course it was equipped with a block heater and battery blanket. It was one of the few vehicles that started in my town of 2500 people. The car was just very stiff to get moving and very hard to shift the manual transmission - I was driving a 1974 AMC Hornet at the time

[Tom Cavallaro]

I'm going out on a limb here, but I'd say it was priced wrong! Because I don't work on my own cars since the late seventies, (when children came) except for the model A. The garages always took care of the antifeeze. I like keeping the stuff in to keep the rust out. I remember always using one gallon to the rest water, I was always good in the -30s. To purchase it 50-50 seems ludicuis unless your buying two gallons....just my opinion.

[oldwoodsman]

Originally Posted by Tom Cavallaro

I'm going out on a limb here, but I'd say it was priced wrong! Because I don't work on my own cars since the late seventies, (when children came) except for the model A. The garages always took care of the antifeeze. I like keeping the stuff in to keep the rust out. I remember always using one gallon to the rest water, I was always good in the -30s. To purchase it 50-50 seems ludicuis unless your buying two gallons....just my opinion.

Tom..... Just curious here. Did you get the tester and if so what were the results?

[jimalabam]

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Dusty" Hey guy you are pulling the other members legs.. It is +27 here in Phenix City, AL and yes, I do know where Lincolnton is. Hi today 46 here today. hee... hee...

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Jim/Alabam

Dusty" Hey guy you are pulling the other members legs.. It is +27 here in Phenix City, AL and yes, I do know where Lincolnton is. Hi today 46 here today. hee... hee...

Come on Jim it's in the low 70s right now.........in my living room.

[Slotblog]

Is that going to be true tonight and tomorrow night, Dusty? LOL!

Here in Norcross, we'll be seeing 11 and 12 degree lows for the next two days.

It's so easy to drain my A, that's what I do...

[Dusty]

Well to be honest I was out feeding the horses and about froze my a$$ off. Over all though it's been nice compared to WV.

[Tom Cavallaro]

oldwoodsman, I bought the tester, says danger of freezing .....drained thre quarters of a gallon out and replaced it with straight stuff....also showed them the receipt, and the gave me a gallon of the peak! Now that's an apology !!!

[bikejunk]

do an experiment put some 50/50 in a bucket -and even add some water put it in an unheated place and watch what happens

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by bikejunk

do an experiment put some 50/50 in a bucket -and even add some water put it in an unheated place and watch what happens

I have a bucket of "50/50 antifreeze" sitting in my driveway (outside). It has obviously been watered down 'cause it will get slushy on top when it reaches minus 5°

[ModelAMike1930]

I get my antifreeze from Menards when its on sale. I think my last purchase of 50/50 cost me $6.00.

[mshmodela]

Got up to 4F today

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by mshmodela

Got up to 4F today

a heat wave

[Rowdy]

It was 35 here today. Supposed to be 50 here tomorrow. I am sure cold and snow will return soon so enjoying it while I can. Rod