Why Should I Combine Water and Antifreeze?

I posted an entry a few weeks back about flushing your radiator before the cold weather hits. I found this simple explanation (below) from Peak about the process of combining water with antifreeze and the magic that happens with the mixture. Many manufacturers sell it already combined or "Ready to Use". Just make sure you know which one you are buying before you look to dilute the mixture.

Antifreeze contains chemicals that protect your engine against rust and corrosion, as well as freeze-up and boil over protection. Water is required to activate the chemicals in the inhibitor package. Furthermore, adding water to antifreeze actually increases the freeze-up and boil over protection provided. For example, a mix of 40% antifreeze and 60% water provides freeze-up protection down to -10�F and boil over protection up to 259�F. In comparison, a mix of 70% antifreeze and 30% water provides freeze-up protection down to -62�F and boil over protection up to 270�F. However, we do not recommend adding more than 70% antifreeze. This would limit the corrosion and freeze up protection and heat transfer capabilities of the antifreeze.

From Peak Antifreeze manufacturer. http://www.peakantifreeze.com/faq.html#A

Change the season, change the ... antifreeze

Well, here in Atlanta it is still 95 degrees and not a raindrop in sight for the week. It is time to talk about protecting our engines from freezing! Actually most people don't really realize the purpose for antifreeze is more about corrosion protection than freeze or heat protection. At the same time we can use the change of seasons and temperature protection to spark our memory that it is time to perform this routine maintenance item. Read this step by step instruction process from Ask.com that will walk you through the basics of flushing and renewing your radiator/heater core system. If you find you need new parts, you know where go... www.rightnowautoparts.com.