Myth #6: Water is equivalent to antifreeze.

We mere mortals take coolant largely on faith. After all, anything that is tested with little colored balls in a turkey baster is far beyond our comprehension. Left to our own devices, we would simply fill the radiator with a garden hose. This cheapskate trick would prove to be detrimental.

Antifreeze coolant is far better than H2O, as it is designed to continue engine cooling in temperature extremes. Coolant also prevents the corrosion and mineral deposits associated with salted winter lanes. Still, antifreeze is not foolproof. Problems with antifreeze could result if too much is added: counter intuitively, it will not cool very well. The mixture must be correctly proportioned, and antifreeze must be drained and replaced periodically. This ensures those heat-reducing cells do not get clogged.