Surely its not just me..

[KEH]

..That doesn't see any sense in buying water in 50-50 antifreeze mix. We have a very cold weather forecast and I wanted to check the antifreeze in 3 tractors. Couldn't find my tester and was short on containers of antifreeze. Went to 2 stores, both were out of testers. No problem, I'll just add more than enough. Store had lots of "ready to use" premix, told clerk I didn't want to buy water and wanted pure antifreeze so I could mix my own. He understood and got me the pure stuff. Must be a lot like me since there were a lot more 50-50 gallon jugs on the shelf.

KEH

 

[Skyman]

Nope. It's not just you. I always have a few gallons of distilled water and a few gallons of straight anti-freeze/coolant in inventory.

Steve

 

[unslow1]

If they want to top off 50/50 is much easier to use. Even shops don't always want concentrate. There are so many types now that they don't want to mess with all that. If they have something in where they need a type they don't normally use they get 50/50.

 

[CoogarXR]

I just keep the previous empty jug. I buy a new container of straight coolant, pour half into the old jug, top both jugs off with water. Bam! 2 premixed 50/50s, lol.

 

[tarmy]

People are lazy…you are clearly an old fart…just like me

 

[ldl]

People are lazy…you are clearly an old fart…just like me

Yep, at 75 I too resemble that remark.

 

[charbar]

I can see where it would be beneficial to some people that buy a gallon here or there to top things off or are changing a hose or thermostat in their yard though. But money wise it still makes no sense considering the 50/50 is only a couple bucks cheaper per gallon than the full concentrate.

Running a shop I have no use for the 50/50 stuff. I have plenty of containers to mix my own plus it just straight up cost more (granted my cost is pushed to the customers, but still....)

Doing a coolant system flush you cant even use 50/50 anyway.....there is always water left in the system so you have to put half the systems capacity in of straight coolant and then top off with water to get the proper mix.

I do remember one time a couple years back I put in a big order for various cases of coolant and they accidentally brought me many cases of 50/50 G05/Gold stuff. I had them swap it all out for concentrate except for one case because I thought it would be handy.......most of that case is still sitting around even though Ive went through hundreds of gallons of the concentrate

 

[littlefan]

premix is about 2 or 3 dollars cheaper than full strength. Your just trying to over charge me I hear it everyday.

 

[KEH]

The pure stuff was $18, the mix was $23. Different brands, maybe that made a difference.

KEH

 

[71goldss]

I see the benefits of both, but generally I buy the full strength. I very rarely need to top off. I just flush at recommended intervals.

 

[finn]

Depends. Typically I have probably five or more gallons of concentrate on hand, but it’s old school ethylene glycol, and not necessary compatible with the coolant in newer cars.

That’s one reason I buy now premix for my newer cars, ie my 2005 Ram.

I needed maybe a half gallon to top off the Ram recovery tank, and I really want to minimize accumulated half filled bottles hanging around. Who knows what coolant my next car will take?

The second part is that the local water here in Arizona is pretty bad. It’s hard enough that I would have to buy distilled water to mix with the concentrate, so why not just do the premix.

 

[KEH]

Good point on the hard water in AZ. I've never had to deal with that.

KEH

 

[NUTTSGT]

I buy the full strength stuff.

Dump a gallon of 100% antifreeze in, a gallon of distilled water and top off with 100% antifreeze.

 

[firebirdparts]

I don’t buy premix.

 

[finn]

I buy the full strength stuff.

Dump a gallon of 100% antifreeze in, a gallon of distilled water and top off with 100% antifreeze.

I have better ways to save -$3.00 than pour liquids back and forth between three or more containers.

I did that for years, but I’m done now, and buy premix for the rare times I have to top something off. Maybe use concentrate if you’re doing a number of flushes on one manufacturer’s vehicles.

Go to Walmart and look at how many different antifreeze specs are out there. Toyota has one, as does Daimler, Honda, Ford, GM, etc. Then there’s the HD spec for Deere, etc. it’s hard to believe the “ universal” generic antifreeze mixes successfully with all of these boutique formulation’s.

 

[Davefr]

..That doesn't see any sense in buying water in 50-50 antifreeze mix. We have a very cold weather forecast and I wanted to check the antifreeze in 3 tractors. Couldn't find my tester and was short on containers of antifreeze. Went to 2 stores, both were out of testers. No problem, I'll just add more than enough. Store had lots of "ready to use" premix, told clerk I didn't want to buy water and wanted pure antifreeze so I could mix my own. He understood and got me the pure stuff. Must be a lot like me since there were a lot more 50-50 gallon jugs on the shelf.

KEH

Agree, but don't call me Shirley.

 

[steel 35]

Hard to bump up protection adding water, no I have plenty thank’s

 

[mike93lx]

I can't even remember the last time I needed coolant. If it isn't leaking or burning it, it shouldn't be going anywhere.

Which I would buy though would depend on how much I need. A full flush and fill? Full strength. A top off while away from home? Mixed

 

[welder4956]

The pure stuff was $18, the mix was $23. Different brands, maybe that made a difference.

KEH

So to make 50/50, there is $9 less coolant plus maybe $0.25 of water and it cost $5 more? What a way to increase profit!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I buy concentrate. I also check the concentration. When comparing cost you have to remember that 1 gallon of concentrate is equal to 2 gallons of mix. So savings is about $10 (Concentrate $20 vs $30 for 2 gallons of mix).

 

[mike93lx]

So to make 50/50, there is $9 less coolant plus maybe $0.25 of water and it cost $5 more? What a way to increase profit!

Do the parts stores you go to sell distilled water? I don't think I have ever seen it, but it's been a while since I have spent more than a minute or two in one.

So that's another trip. Maybe next door, maybe across town. Some people pay for convenience, some spend a buck to save a penny, some wouldn't dare be "ripped off" like that. To each his own

 

[mogandave]

Anti-freeze? Is this not a five-year 100Kmile thing?

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I just keep the previous empty jug. I buy a new container of straight coolant, pour half into the old jug, top both jugs off with water. Bam! 2 premixed 50/50s, lol.

Exactly easy peasy. I just use tap water as well.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Do the parts stores you go to sell distilled water? I don't think I have ever seen it, but it's been a while since I have spent more than a minute or two in one.

So that's another trip. Maybe next door, maybe across town. Some people pay for convenience, some spend a buck to save a penny, some wouldn't dare be "ripped off" like that. To each his own

Not really, I just grab it when I'm at Kroger picking up a gallon of milk or loaf of bread after work. It's only a special trip if you make it a special trip. No reason not to plan ahead.

 

[Uncle murph]

I just keep the previous empty jug. I buy a new container of straight coolant, pour half into the old jug, top both jugs off with water. Bam! 2 premixed 50/50s, lol.

This is why,most people don’t want to mix antifreeze because they don’t have anything to mix it in.

 

[mike93lx]

Not really, I just grab it when I'm at Kroger picking up a gallon of milk or loaf of bread after work. It's only a special trip if you make it a special trip. No reason not to plan ahead.

I go to the grocery store once a week, at most. No everyone needs or wants to stock stuff like antifreeze for a just in case

Again, to each their own. If I only ever bought pre mixed for every time I have bought antifreeze in my life, I'd be out well less than a hundred bucks. Sounds like some of you guys go through it faster than oil

 

[Old Man Roger]

Agree, but don't call me Shirley.

Beat me to it..lol

 

[NUTTSGT]

I go to the grocery store once a week, at most. No everyone needs or wants to stock stuff like antifreeze for a just in case

Again, to each their own. If I only ever bought pre mixed for every time I have bought antifreeze in my life, I'd be out well less than a hundred bucks. Sounds like some of you guys go through it faster than oil

Nah, I just usually have some on hand, just like windshield wiper fluid or any other automotive fluid. I've just learned to stock certain things over the years instead of having to make a "special" trip to town. . . . . nuts/bolts, Brakleen, Dr Pepper, whatever I use and start to run low on, I add to the list.

 

[joe_padavano]

Like the lottery, pre-mix is a tax on people who are bad at math. And FYI, it's not a "$3.00" savings. One gallon of concentrate ($12 at WallyMart) and one gallon of distilled water (about $1) is $13 vs $21 for two gallons of the pre-mix. Since I have to pour both into the radiator when I service the car, there's no additional labor for "mixing". Your money, your call.

 

[jrsavoie]

I have better ways to save -$3.00 than pour liquids back and forth between three or more containers.

I did that for years, but I’m done now, and buy premix for the rare times I have to top something off. Maybe use concentrate if you’re doing a number of flushes on one manufacturer’s vehicles.

Go to Walmart and look at how many different antifreeze specs are out there. Toyota has one, as does Daimler, Honda, Ford, GM, etc. Then there’s the HD spec for Deere, etc. it’s hard to believe the “ universal” generic antifreeze mixes successfully with all of these boutique formulation’s.

And some definitely don't mix well. I'm annoyed by all the different coolant's/ antifreezes.

Our legislators like to legislate everything, let them make a law that all coolants be interchangeable.
I'm sure one coolant could work for all applications.

I only had one coolant on hand until we purchased newer vehicles. Now I've got coolant for each brand as I didn't search John Deere, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Toyota, Nissan & Kubota to see what's compatible with what.

It would help if everyone just bought one brand of vehicle.

 

[71goldss]

Exactly easy peasy. I just use tap water as well.

I don’t use tap water, but I do use filtered water from my refridgerator. The water line to the fridge is filtered, along with a second built-in refrigerator filter, so it’s actually double filtered as I see it. Still, I’m curious if filtered is as good as distilled for this application? Any thoughts while on the subject?

 

[finn]

And some definitely don't mix well. I'm annoyed by all the different coolant's/ antifreezes.

Our legislators like to legislate everything, let them make a law that all coolants be interchangeable.
I'm sure one coolant could work for all applications.

I only had one coolant on hand until we purchased newer vehicles. Now I've got coolant for each brand as I didn't search John Deere, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Toyota, Nissan & Kubota to see what's compatible with what.

It would help if everyone just bought one brand of vehicle.

And wore the same style and color of underwear!

 

[finn]

I don’t use tap water, but I do use filtered water from my refridgerator. The water line to the fridge is filtered, along with a second built-in refrigerator filter, so it’s actually double filtered as I see it. Still, I’m curious if filtered is as good as distilled for this application? Any thoughts while on the subject?

Filtering doesn’t change the ph. It just takes out the chunks.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Used tap water in every vehicle I ever put coolant in. That would be thousands of vehicles. Never well water though, always municipal tap water.

 

[jrsavoie]

Used tap water in every vehicle I ever put coolant in. That would be thousands of vehicles. Never well water though, always municipal tap water.

That all depends on your municipality.

There's a couple towns around here that eat appliances. I wouldn't want that water in my vehicle.

 

[finn]

Used tap water in every vehicle I ever put coolant in. That would be thousands of vehicles. Never well water though, always municipal tap water.

WPB has crappy municipal water. My mom’s old condo water reeked of sulfur if she was away for a month, and all south Florida tap water I have sipped tastes like ****.

 

[RivennHewn]

I use RV antifreeze mixed with water as blade lubricant in the sawmill.

Does that count for anything?

 

[jrsavoie]

I use RV antifreeze mixed with water as blade lubricant in the sawmill.

Does that count for anything?

I use used coolant for cutting and drilling

 

[Old Man Roger]

That all depends on your municipality.

There's a couple towns around here that eat appliances. I wouldn't want that water in my vehicle.

True, there are some that are pretty bad, but for over 30 years I haven't had any issues.

WPB has crappy municipal water. My mom’s old condo water reeked of sulfur if she was away for a month, and all south Florida tap water I have sipped tastes like ****.

Sounds like she had well water. It is very eggy in some areas.

I've seen develpoments that have their own wells and their own water treatment systems. Most aren't anything more than a large water softener.

 

[mikedodge]

I never buy pre mixed either. It's a couple bucks cheaper but you loose half the jug. Ripoff.