Mechanic issues warning to drivers who've topped up their own car fluid
A mechanic has urged drivers and motorists never to top up their car fluid using water. YouTube star and viral content creator Scotty Kilmer has stressed over using pure water instead of antifreeze could be a major mistake over the winter months.
Although water is vital to cool down a vehicle, antifreeze is specially designed to prevent vehicles from “freezing over”. Scotty said: “Today I'm going to tell you why you don’t want to run your car’s radiator on pure water. There’s a reason your car’s radiator is supposed to be 50% antifreeze and 50% water.
“Water actually dissipates heat better than antifreeze but antifreeze keeps it from freezing in the winter. And the antifreeze protects the engine inside from cavitation. If you’re running on pure water the cavitation can eat up the engine which happened in the case of this Toyota.
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“The previous water had water and the new owner didn’t know so this is the second engine now. So please don’t run your car on pure water.” And BookMyGarage explained: “You may even cause expensive engine damage if you regularly use water instead of coolant.
“Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C - temperatures which a working car engine can exceed under normal driving conditions. If you use water alone, you increase the chances of the radiator freezing or overheating - especially in cold climates.
“Antifreeze raises the boiling point and lowers the freezing point of water, and so prevents the engine from overheating or freezing when switched off.” Responding to Scotty, one motorist typed: "No matter what the car maintinence is everything. Change the oil often. Most cars nowadays the antifreeze should last for a long time but it can leak."
"This proves it's not about "reliable brands", but more about reliable owners...," laughed a second.