Radiator fluid

[GTStang Guy]

I just got my oil changed and I was told that the Radiator fluid looked like it needed to be changed and that I should put "performance fluid" in it. I've never changed that fluid myself and am wondering if there is some kind of performance fluid. Also, how easy is it to change that fluid, I have a 2000 Mustang GT. Thanks.

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Coolant

I've never heard of "performance fluid". All you need is 50% Prestone "green" and 50% distilled water. I also use 1 bottle of RedLine Water Wetter. It's not really a hard job but kind of a messy one.

 

[40th GT]

Has anyone tried the pre-mixed coolant from Prestone? Im thinking about giving this a try when I change my coolant.

 

[bdcardinal]

the premixes are good. i use it to top the car off. just use Prestone green with water and put in a bottle or 2 of water wetter.

 

[merc123]

I've only used water wetter in the race car. I have never seen a need in my personal car.

 

[NYStang2002]

I just got my oil changed and I was told that the Radiator fluid looked like it needed to be changed and that I should put "performance fluid" in it. I've never changed that fluid myself and am wondering if there is some kind of performance fluid. Also, how easy is it to change that fluid, I have a 2000 Mustang GT. Thanks.

This is the reason why I avoid those "quickie lube" oil change places. All they try to do is rip people off.

 

[Stanglover96]

I just use 100% antifreeze. Why would you use water?

 

[bdcardinal]

I just use 100% antifreeze. Why would you use water?

um no. water is the main cooling ingredient in your cars cooling system. the coolant is there to prevent the water from freezing and help rainst the boiling temperature. the coolant also provides lubrication for the waterpump that the water does not provide. to give you an idea of what is better, most racetracks dont allow coolant to be used in cars on that track. when coolant spills, it is really hard to clean up and can take days to evaporate. i would rather run pure water then pure coolant.

to give you a case in point, there was a person at my school that ran pure coolant in his car. the car routinely overheated after running pure coolant. we drained the radiator and flushed all the coolant out and ran 50/50 and all the overheating problems were gone. NASCAR teams dont use coolant, some use a 50/50 mixture of water and water wetter, this is very expensive.

 

[85MustGT]

I just use 100% antifreeze. Why would you use water?

straight coolant is too think, it can cause cavitation

 

[danny g]

I put in only water and flush and drove it like that for a week. The car ran cool and a ton of junk came out of it. Now I use 60% tap water and 40% antifreeze with a bottle of water wetter. Car runs noticibly cooler.

 

[GTStang Guy]

Where can I drain the radiator fluid from? I've never done it before...
Thanks

 

[danny g]

look under your car near the radiator on the passenger side near the wheel well. There is a plastic drainplug. Unscrew by hand. let drain. Screw back. Fill with water put in can of flush. Drive around with heater on full. Let cool a tad. Unscrew drain plug. Fill with just water. Drive around with heater on. Drain. Fill with antifreeze mix. i like using tap water ( i live in nyc so its not crappy hard water) which you can do with antifreeze. Supposedly it is designed for tap but others will argue. The antifreeze had anti rust stuff in it anyways so dont worry. I use 60% water some say 50%. i dont think it matters much. more water = cooler cause antifreeze has a lower boiling point. Thats why it is Called ANTI FREEZE not ANTI OVERHEAT it lowers the freezing temp and the boiling point too since you cant have one without the other. Than toss in some water wetter. If you want to go crazy throw in a new thermostat. i think the 180 degree ones are best. I dont know cuz i dont need one.