Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance coolant-water,ratio?

can someone tell the coolant-water ratio? ca`nt find it in the owner`s manual,thank`s

Tell you the truth, I know that the manual says you're supposed to have a certain amount of water in your coolant system, but I recently has some work done on my car, and th emechanice had to replace the anti freeze, he put straight antifreeze in there. Runs just the same as before, no hotter, no cooler. MAybe I'll fix it eventually...but if it ain't broke....

50-50 is what is recommended by almost every manufacturer in the world. Cannot go 100% anti freeze but I forgot why. The 50-50 is good down to about minus 10 or so. You can go higher % of antifreeze if you live in a climate below minus 10 but then you need a block heater and definitely synthetic oil

Water carries more energy than anti- freeze, hence it is more efficient. The anti-freeze to water ratio is one of diminishing returns, past 50-50 there is no real gain in boiling temp or reduction in freezing temp, but there is a loss of thermal efficiency. If you don't live in an extreme climate (AZ), you probably won't notice it, especially this time of year.

On the redline oil website, (I don't know its address at the moment), look up "water wetter" for a pretty good discussion on coolants and such.

Thank`s for all the reply,changed my coolant today and put 50-50 in it.