| I just drained and refilled my radiator. I'm trying to remember most of this from my chemistry days, but there are alot of misconceptions about distilled water. Basically, I think distilled water is safe BECAUSE it is mixed with antifreeze. First of all, distilled water is acidic, not neutral, usually with a pH of < 6. The problem is that distillation INCREASES the ionic content of water by removing the disolved salts and impurities. Although stilll very dilute, distillation frees up more hydroxide and hydronium ions that would normally be bound to these disolved salts in less "pure" water. This makes distilled water more corrosive than say, "bottled" water at the grocery store. In theory, there would exist a "perfect" blend of non-distilled water that had the right type and amount of dissolved salts or other minerals that would buffer the water. These impurities would have to also not precipitate out and form scale and deposits under the conditions that exist inside a car engine. In the real world, this perfect blend of non-distilled water is not known. Therefore, using distilled water when mixed with antifreeze seems the safest thing to do. Although prob any water that is safe enough to drink, is also equally safe for your car once it is mixed with antifreeze. Comments?
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