The cooling system in your vehicle has such an important job - it makes sure that the engine's temperature is regulated and that it is kept cool to avoid overheating and part corrosion and damage. The cooling system relies on coolant for this job. However, you may have heard some time in your car ownership that water can be used in place of coolant. Is this a myth, or is it true?



Well, in order to understand if water can be used, let's first take a look at what coolant is. Coolant, or antifreeze, is a 50/50 mix of water and other additives. These additives increase the water's freezing and boiling points, which help it withstand extreme temperatures.

Now, when your car is low on coolant, more than likely there is a leak somewhere in the system. A leak can lead quickly to engine overheating and damage, which is why you want to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

You may be considering putting water into our coolant chamber if you are desperate and without proper antifreeze. However, we do advise against this. It could be a very temporary solution, however, it can damage the system. It can't do the proper job of antifreeze due to its low boiling and freezing points, which means that it won't be able to properly protect your engine.

Another problem is that just plain water can quickly lead to rust and corrosion of parts. Rusting can lead to damage, which can mean you'll probably need engine repair before you know it. For these reasons, we highly advise against using water in place of coolant.

As soon as you notice that your vehicle's coolant is low, it is important to bring your car into our experts for service. We can take a look at the system to see if there is a leak, and we can repair that leak. Then, we can add more antifreeze into the system to get it working properly again.

So if you're low on coolant, don't use water in its place. Bring your car to our Houston auto repair shop for proper coolant services. Call Elite Auto Experts with questions today!