The water you put in your radiator may be hard on your cooling system. That's because 85 percent of the tap water in the U.S. is hard water, containing impurities and minerals which can impair the performance of your antifreeze. That means even if you do replace your antifreeze/coolant regularly, the water you mix with it could be reducing its effectiveness. No wonder cooling system failure is the leading cause of engine-related breakdowns."Ordinary tap water contains hard water salts such as calcium and magnesium. This can lead to the formation of deposits or scale build-up in cooling systems which, in turn, can impede crucial heat transfer," explains Dale McKenzie of Prestone Products Corporation, one of the world's leading antifreeze experts. "The other chemicals commonly found in most tap water deplete the inhibitors in an antifreeze and can increase the rate of corrosion of cooling system components."
Reduced heat transfer and increased corrosion can spell trouble for your cooling system.
However, if you want to ensure your antifreeze/coolant's effectiveness, you can now find water that has been specially purified for use in vehicle cooling systems. Prestone Products Corporation uses an eight-step purification process to develop Prestone® Scientifically Purified Water. This process involves deionization to remove impurities such as calcium, magnesium and iron, which can lead to hard water deposits and scale build-up. The water is also demineralized to remove chemicals such as chloride and sulfate, which can reduce the effectiveness of the rust and corrosion inhibitors found in most antifreeze/coolants.
Using a product such as Prestone® Scientifically Purified Water with a premium quality antifreeze like Prestone® antifreeze/coolant will ensure that you're providing the best possible protection for your car's cooling system. And, while it may seem easier just to go ahead and use ordinary tap water, it won't seem that convenient when your cooling system fails and you're left stranded by the road. (NAPSI)
