antifreeze type? | FerrariChat

antifreeze type?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by teachdna, Dec 9, 2006.

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  1. teachdna

    teachdna Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2001
    374
    Cincinnati
    Full Name:
    Jeffrey Robbins
    OK, just to make sure I don't do something stupid........ I need to top off my coolant in the 550 and am assuming that I can use any good quality antifreeze (at the usual 50:50 mixture with distilled H20). Is this correct or do I need to worry about getting something special?

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. AEHaas

    AEHaas Formula 3

    May 9, 2003
    1,465
    Osprey, Florida
    Full Name:
    Ali E. Haas
    Use any G-05 as Zerex or the coolant that is sold by Mercedes Benz. Avoid Dex-Cool, it is different. The color is irrelevant.

    aehaas
     
  3. JohnnyS

    JohnnyS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 19, 2006
    15,280
    Illinois
    Full Name:
    John
    Make sure the mix ratio is 50:50 or just a bit more rich in glycol. This will give you freeze protection down to -50 to -60 F.
     
  4. rolindsay

    rolindsay Formula 3

    Jul 14, 2006
    1,022
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Rick Lindsay
    A note from those of us who live where its hot, not cold. The more antifreeze you add, the lower the heat carying capacity of the coolant. Antifreeze is a much poorer coolant than water. Stick with the 50:50 mixture. That is what the manufacturers of the car expect and the manufactures of the antifreeze make their concentration to match. Personally, I use distilled water with antifreeze because of dissolved minerals in tap water. ...probably unimportant, but this is a hobby. -rick
     
  5. JohnnyS

    JohnnyS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 19, 2006
    15,280
    Illinois
    Full Name:
    John
    Distilled or softened water is the best. If you have hard water in your house, the calcium and magnesium will precipitate out of the water when the water gets hot. This is why home water heaters scale up in areas with hard water.

    So spend the money and get distilled water from the store if you don't have softened water at home.
     
  6. AEHaas

    AEHaas Formula 3

    May 9, 2003
    1,465
    Osprey, Florida
    Full Name:
    Ali E. Haas
    #6 AEHaas, Dec 10, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The 50:50 is good. Too much and you have a lower heat capacity, Too little and you do not have the protection for metals and to lubricate the bearing in the water pump. People often wonder why their pump dies prematurely. One reason is that they are not running the appropriate level of anti freeze / coolant / lubricant. Too high a concentration of anti freeze is also bad for the bearing.

    aehaas
    Experiment - pay no attention to this:
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  7. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Ya showoff!! :p:p
     
  8. dersark_painclinic

    dersark_painclinic Formula Junior

    Mar 8, 2005
    981
    Glendale, CA
    Full Name:
    Lazik Der Sarkissian
    Any body knowes about porsche antifreeze, spouse to be good for the life of the car.
     
  9. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    I've been using BMW antifreeze in my Ferrari's for years and have been well pleased...
     
  10. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Sep 15, 2004
    5,465
    VIR Raceway
    Full Name:
    Peter Krause
    VW, BMW and G-05 are what we use in 50/50. No problems.

    Looks like the test worked!
     

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