Water to coolant?

[Hmather]

My coolant is just below the min and I don’t have any coolant specific to the truck. I have a hybrid.

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[fossil]

do yourself a favor, go buy some premix, about $10 gal

 

[Hmather]

Phew! I just spoke with the dealership and they said it is fine. The truck comes with a coolant a little bit diluted with water anyways when they receive it at the dealership. I drove the same Dodge ram for 24 years. This is all new to me!

 

[Hmather]

do yourself a favor, go buy some premix, about $10 gal

Yes, I just realized I am not prepared for a breakdown. I am used to carrying a jug of water.

 

[Mike1597]

FYI
It isn't a good idea to mix antifreeze types or use tap water.

Do not mix different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants or using an incorrect coolant may harm the engine or cooling system components and could void the vehicle Warranty.

Note: Do not mix different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants or using an incorrect coolant may harm the engine or cooling system components and could void the vehicle Warranty.

Note: If prediluted coolant is not available, use the approved concentrated coolant diluting it to 50/50 with deionized or distilled water. See Capacities and Specifications (page 355). Using water that has not been deionized may contribute to deposit formation, corrosion and plugging of the small cooling system passageways. prediluted coolant is not available, use the approved concentrated coolant diluting it to 50/50 with deionized or distilled water. See Capacities and Specifications. Using water that has not been deionized may contribute to deposit formation, corrosion and plugging of the small cooling system passageways.

 

[Hmather]

Thanks! The dealership said this little bit is fine, not to worry about replacing it.

 

[Tiger Dude]

I promise people have put tap water in cars since cars and the cars didn't notice or care. The difference in 50/50 water/coolant is not different than 52/48 water/coolant.

 

[inline_five]

Thanks! The dealership said this little bit is fine, not to worry about replacing it.

If coolant is low it either wasn't gone over correctly by the dealership OR has a coolant leak.

Neither are acceptable. I'd book an appointment with the dealer to have them top it off above the MIN line. That line exists for a reason.

 

[Montana]

Do not use regular water. Use distilled water. The same with the washer fluid if you are diluting that too.

The coolant is factory diluted to the molecular spec the system is designed for. More or less in a small percentage might not hurt it, but too much one way or the other and you will introduce acidic degradation and rust.

But also keep in mind the system will do that between winter and summer. Mine ends up just below the minimum line in winter and just under the full line in summer. I don't add any and I don't remove any.

As others have mentioned, just buy the pre-diluted coolant. It's cheap and it's good to have some in the garage just in case. Longer trips you can take it with you as well as distilled water as an emergency backup.

I promise people have put tap water in cars since cars and the cars didn't notice or care.

I promise the radiator and block did care.

 

[Hmather]

Do not use regular water. Use distilled water. The same with the washer fluid if you are diluting that too.

The coolant is factory diluted to the molecular spec the system is designed for. More or less in a small percentage might not hurt it, but too much one way or the other and you will introduce acidic degradation and rust.

But also keep in mind the system will do that between winter and summer. Mine ends up just below the minimum line in winter and just under the full line in summer. I don't add any and I don't remove any.

As others have mentioned, just buy the pre-diluted coolant. It's cheap and it's good to have some in the garage just in case. Longer trips you can take it with you as well as distilled water as an emergency backup.



I promise the radiator and block did care.

You really think 1/2 cup of bottled water will affect the radiator and engine block?

 

[Montana]

You really think 1/2 cup of bottled water will affect the radiator and engine block?

Regular water? Yes. Half a cup? Not that serious.

But watch some YT videos on it. When you add water to the radiator, you dilute any coolant remaining in the system, reducing its corrosive inhibiting and temperature-resistant properties. 30k down the road when your coolant is turning rust brown prematurely, it'll be because of that water and all the sediments that were introduced to the system when it was added. Waters boiling point vs. coolant correctly diluted is massively different as well especially in a closed system.

If you really feel like you need half a cup of coolant, add distilled water or pre-diluted coolant. But you don't. It's not that serious. Just don't add regular water to the system. If you already did, it's only half a cup.

 

[Hmather]

Thanks everyone. I don’t intend to ever do it again. It’s just habit to check my fluids before a trip. I will pick up some coolant at the dealership. I love this truck but I beat the heck out of my ‘99 Dodge Ram and it lasted until this last December. I miss that truck. 24 years!!

 

[fossil]

You really think 1/2 cup of bottled water will affect the radiator and engine block?

do you really think a 1/2 cup low is worth calling the dealer?

 

[Oscarcat]

My coolant is just below the min and I don’t have any coolant specific to the truck. I have a hybrid.

Your truck is still new. Why didn't the dealer add the correct coolant as a courtesty? It was probably low when they did the PDI -predelivery inspection - and they missed that fact.

Yes, I know by the time you drive to the dealer the coolant will have expanded, but put a mark on the reservoir when it is cold so they can judge.

 

[Hmather]

It was lower than it was 6 months ago so I topped it off. This used to be normal behavior.

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