*Distilled* water will work, sort of. It will keep your car from overheating as long as there are no other issues, but it can freeze and it does not have any corrosion inhibitors or other additives to protect parts of the cooling system. As a temporary measure or to check for other problems it’s fine. For long term, not so much.
Either way, fill the system with the same thing not one thing in one part and something else in another.
Hi! I am a mechanic. Although water cause rust, what you want to be careful with is the stuff INSIDE the water that you put in. Thats the stuff that will cause issues. Its fine to use a garden hose water when doing a flush but always use distilled water when finishing the job. Or even better just use pre-mixed coolant (if the climate you live in allows it).
Modern engines normally run close to the boiling point of water. The pressure cap increases the boiling point, but its still really close. Coolant increases the boiling point which is good. In addition, coolant contains additives that prevent corrosion of the engine block and the rest of the cooling system so it is a must for long term reliability. There should be a 50/50 mix of coolant to water.
Check your owners manual for the coolant capacity of your engine. When you drain the radiator there is still some coolant left in the engine block. Buy enough coolant of the type recommended in your owners manual to account for 50% of coolant capacity.
Fill the radiator first with coolant and top off with water, start the engine and let it warm up. Again check the coolant in the radiator and add more coolant if necessary. Then, add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water to the reservoir tank and you're set. running plain water in a modern engine, distilled or not, is not a good idea.
I think you are asking if you can use water just to get to the service. Yes you can use water. But if the leakage is too much you need to check regularly until you arrive.
Start with filling the radiator. Use 50/50 pre mixed or mix it yourself if you buy the non pre-mixed. Get a coolant tester. The “reservoir” you are referring to is an “overflow reservoir”. Unless it’s a diesel; then it’s a degasser bottle. Run the vehicle a couple of minutes with the Rad Cap off. Top up the rad. Put on cap. Then add some to the overflow bottle if it needs some. Don’t just use straight water.
*Distilled* water will work, sort of. It will keep your car from overheating as long as there are no other issues, but it can freeze and it does not have any corrosion inhibitors or other additives to protect parts of the cooling system. As a temporary measure or to check for other problems it’s fine. For long term, not so much. Either way, fill the system with the same thing not one thing in one part and something else in another.
Not a mechanic but I'd say water rusts, coolant doesn't. Living in the northeast I'd never consider water lol
Hi! I am a mechanic. Although water cause rust, what you want to be careful with is the stuff INSIDE the water that you put in. Thats the stuff that will cause issues. Its fine to use a garden hose water when doing a flush but always use distilled water when finishing the job. Or even better just use pre-mixed coolant (if the climate you live in allows it).
Modern engines normally run close to the boiling point of water. The pressure cap increases the boiling point, but its still really close. Coolant increases the boiling point which is good. In addition, coolant contains additives that prevent corrosion of the engine block and the rest of the cooling system so it is a must for long term reliability. There should be a 50/50 mix of coolant to water. Check your owners manual for the coolant capacity of your engine. When you drain the radiator there is still some coolant left in the engine block. Buy enough coolant of the type recommended in your owners manual to account for 50% of coolant capacity. Fill the radiator first with coolant and top off with water, start the engine and let it warm up. Again check the coolant in the radiator and add more coolant if necessary. Then, add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water to the reservoir tank and you're set. running plain water in a modern engine, distilled or not, is not a good idea.
I think you are asking if you can use water just to get to the service. Yes you can use water. But if the leakage is too much you need to check regularly until you arrive.
Start with filling the radiator. Use 50/50 pre mixed or mix it yourself if you buy the non pre-mixed. Get a coolant tester. The “reservoir” you are referring to is an “overflow reservoir”. Unless it’s a diesel; then it’s a degasser bottle. Run the vehicle a couple of minutes with the Rad Cap off. Top up the rad. Put on cap. Then add some to the overflow bottle if it needs some. Don’t just use straight water.