93inNM

I'm getting ready to replace all my cooling hoses, flush out the block, etc and I was wondering about which would be the better antifreeze to use?

I used to just go to Mazda and pick up a gal of their recommended product, but that is really not an option, no Mazda dealer remotely close.

I know that not all are made the same with the same stuff, that it is recommended to use the Ethlene Glycol based, but I was curious about which brand is possibly better than another. Which brands have given the best cooling results? Anything adverse to our blocks/aluminum? I have rea that the HOAT type is better? True or false? I just want to get it right for my normally hot climate/roads.

So fellow Miata Maniacs - please give me your opinions, they will be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Zabac

iTrader: (39)

Just go to any local dealer, i use Acura coolant that i got from a friend that works there, works fine.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

100% distilled water

DammitBeavis

Evans NPG-R

mazda/nissan

iTrader: (2)

is there a difference in boiling/freezing point with distilled?

93inNM

Zabac. The only car dealerships in my area are Ford and GM, no imports whatsoever. So, I am stuck with AutoZone, NAPA, Checker and of course WallyWorld as places to choose.

Braineack. Previously I did mix the Mazda antifreeze with distilled water, as I recall it was 60% distilled water and 40% antifreeze. mazda/nissan beat me to the question - I too have wondered if there was differences in boiling/freezing points and that would have been the reason for the use of distilled water, although I know that by using distilled water you have eliminated impurities or chemicals added to water supplies that would be harmful to metals.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

distilled is just to prevent corrosion, since you have nothing else. I actually run like 70/30 with tap water (a bottle of 50:50 coolant and topped off with water)...the coolant has chemicals to prevent corrosion, so i don't care.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

lots of water and just a little antifreeze for corrosion. I pour in more anti-freeze for the winter.

93inNM

It has been a while since I did a coolant flush an total replacement. First time for all the hoses. If I remember correctly, the anti freeze from Mazda was a pinkish-brown color (or something like that). When I was last at an auto parts, I looked at a few labels to see what they were made of, none were the 'right' type of color that I remembered, so that is what brought me to asking some questions.

I guess any good-quality or brand name that is the Ethelene Glycol base an not alcohol or methanol base would be OK. Great idea to mix 50/50 and top off with water, that should achieve about the 60/40 ratio. I live at altitude and it does get real cold in the few short 6 weeks that we have winter (if you could call it that). I don't drive the Miata in the snow, it's garaged during snow storms and also sees little exposure to rain unless I get caught out in a rain storm. I just want to use what's better, get it right and move on to what's next in the maintenance aspect.

What do you guys think of using water wetter in the mix as well? From what I've read in a few posts here it does seem to lower operating temps or have an effect on them. Anything that helps out the cooling system is to me an overall benefit. I have never used additives, but they certainly seem as though they would be a benefit.

Zabac

iTrader: (39)

whether they help or not i dont know, if you are concerned about cooling you need real solutions, not snake oil, do a re-route and get a bigger radiator

93inNM

I am not really concerned about my cooling system other than getting it done right with new hoses and coolant. I already have a bigger radiator, it has been performing just fine the way it is. I am thinking about maybe doing the re-route, that's more just because I can do it and it would be a benefit to the overall system operation. I just questioned the water wetter because it seemed like another option that would also create a benefit. I have never used the snake oil stuff as some kind of a bandaid, if it is truly something that could reap benefits-a few less degrees is a good thing, then I might consider it with more weight, otherwise, all the right parts and the right fluids are always the way I do things.

My temps stay right at the middle of the range of my temp gauge, been there since the day it was new, after the turbo install, and still continue to be there.

I also drive a turbo diesel, the new ULSD fuel has less lubricity for the CP3 fuel pump and the injectors. The injector rattle is louder on the new fuel, the CP3 pump needs lubricity from the fuel as well, so I have been using a lubricity additive in the fuel, the benefit outweighs in that case, injectors for the diesel run about $1200-1500 each-my truck has 6 of them, the CP3 pump is right at $2000, only stupidity with a big checkbook would not add an additive for lubricity purposes, not a bandaid but a necessary evil.

So in my book, additives can be beneficial, that's why I brought up the water wetter. It seems to be a very popular and highly used product.

Zabac

iTrader: (39)

I just don't know anything about it, and lets be honest, 'water wetter' you have to admit it does sound a bit sketchy, right?

Arkmage

iTrader: (3)

it doesn't really matter what kind of anti freeze your run. just don't use GM dexcool. it will destroy your water pump much faster than any of the others.