Miata Mailing List: September 1998, Message #1157

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> Hey, all.  Finally got all the fluids replaced in my '90 A; today's flushing
> of the coolant was the last piece of the puzzle.  Now the question:  according
> to the Miata Enthusiast's manual I can get by with a 65% H2O/35% coolant mix
> which is supposed to make me good to 3 degrees F. (plenty for my part of the
> country...I hope); but the owner's manual says 50/50, as does the Tips from
> the Garage on the Miata.net.  I seem to remember a thread about the Miata
> "liking" the 65/35% mix better, and the mixture looks awful watery to me.  I
> don't have a hydrometer.  Comments?

the closer to pure H2O you run, the better the heat transfer properties.
the main reasons, so i have been told, to mix antifreeze in your coolant
are 1) to prevent it from freezing in freezing weather (duh), and 2) to
prevent corrosion.

if your engine will not be exposed to sub-freezing temperatures, consider
running distilled water only, or distilled water mixed with something like
redline water wetter.

-D-