How To Check Coolant To Water Ratio

Little balls or a float in the tester tell you whether you need to add coolant the instructions are on the package.

How to check coolant to water ratio. Anyway my radiator now contains a ratio of about 3 1 water to coolant. Find the coolant capacity of your vehicle. Calculating the proper water to antifreeze ratio step 1. Part 3 of 3.

Use a coolant protection level tester. In most places including your local gas station you can buy pre mixed coolant which is usually 50 50 anti freeze and water. To test your coolant mixture you ll need to take a sample from your radiator or coolant reservoir whichever s easiest. Be sure to let your engine cool down before you remove your radiator or coolant reservoir cap.

Anti freeze has more stuff in it than pure instrument grade ethylene glycol but probably not more than a percent or two. If the liquid doesn t reach the full line open the bottle and add a 50 50 mix of water and coolant until it does. For example if your mix ratio is 8 1 or 8 parts water to 1 part solution there are 8 1 or 9 parts. We check the percentage with a refractometer to be sure.

You also need the reading from the hydrometer on the concentration level of. Some coolants are premixed so check the bottle to see whether you need to add water or just use it as is. The mixing percentage is 11 1 1 divided by 9. Note the hydrometer reading.

Check the coolant stored in the plastic bottle connected to the radiator. This standard ratio is an attempt to encompass as much of the nation as possible and will provide great. This usually ranges anywhere between 8 to 18 liters. Mix the water and coolant before pouring.

Once the engine is cool open the cap and suck a sample of coolant into the test tube. While you re at it you also can check the liquid in the tester for rust you can buy test strips that do the same thing as a tester by changing color. If it makes a difference i live in the south and temps won t dip below freezing for 6 to 7 more months. However when mixed with water at a 50 50 ratio it can withstand temperatures as cold as 35 f before freezing.

I would say it is cya by the anti freeze maker to prevent engine block damage from solid water breaking stuff. How to calculate mix ratio if percentage is known.