[Hib Halverson]

What would a "coolant thread" be without my lunatic-fringe alternative.

For most of the 20 years I've owned "Barney" my purple '95, I've never run any antifreeze at all in the cooling system. Just straight water and one bottle of one of the two leading coolant additives, Gibbs Driven "CSP" or Red Line "Water Wetter".

Why straight water?

Water is a better coolant because it absorbs more BTUs per gallon than does a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Of course, when you don't use antifreeze you MUST have some other form of the anti-foaming and anti corrosive chemicals that come in antifreeze. Radiator Relief or Water Wetter supply that chemistry. In fact, Water Wetter uses a calcium-based corrosion inhibiter similar to that in Dexcool. Additionally, both products contain a "weting agent" which further improves water's ability to cool by enhancing the transfer of heat from the cylinder head and block to the cooling jackets.

Now...the cautionary statements:

1) For obvious reasons, you can't use straight water if your car is subjected to below freezing temperatures when it's parked overnight or stored.

2) You must change that coolant mix every 24-months regardless of mileage.