Was in Walmart and noticed that they were nearly out of antifreeze

[masraum]

I have a hard time picturing a bunch of country guys out draining water out of cars to add antifreeze. What else would they be doing with it? The only other 2 things that I can imagine would be tractors (LOTS of those around here, equally surprised to imagine them draining and adding) and generators, but they aren't normally water cooled, are they?

Granted, I was there to get windshield washer fluid, and the shelves were full because it all said "summer formula" and "good for 32º+". I'll check a FLAPS or two tomorrow morning and then hope for the best.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Maybe stupid people thinks it works as a deicer? I’ve got nothing on this one, hoarding milk, bread, and TP is stupud enough.

[GH85Carrera]

My grandfather talked about the early days of cars. Every night in the winter, he would drain out the water in the car, and he had to refill it every morning. He was skeptical when they bought a car that came with antifreeze and he was told to NOT drain it out when cold.

I change the antifreeze in my El Camino every other fall. I can't find the antifreeze drain on my 911 so it still has the original factory antifreeze and water pump.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Your 911 is way overdue Glen, your lack of maintenance is very concerning.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by masraum

I have a hard time picturing a bunch of country guys out draining water out of cars to add antifreeze. What else would they be doing with it? The only other 2 things that I can imagine would be tractors (LOTS of those around here, equally surprised to imagine them draining and adding) and generators, but they aren't normally water cooled, are they?

Granted, I was there to get windshield washer fluid, and the shelves were full because it all said "summer formula" and "good for 32º+". I'll check a FLAPS or two tomorrow morning and then hope for the best.

Bidet owners for the anti-freeze...

.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I can't find the antifreeze drain on my 911 so it still has the original factory antifreeze and water pump.

I can't imagine you not putting the correct winter WW fluid (with antifreeze) in your baby!

[stevej37]

I just got back from Walmart....very busy place for a Saturday morning.
The shelves all seemed stocked....in the grocery dept.

Roads are super slick. It's only 6F and the salt does no good at that temp.

[vash]

I was just in a Walmart in Elpaso Texas. it might be the biggest building I have ever been in. I bet it was measured in acres.


I didnt check out the auto stuff.

[masraum]

I was able to pick up some windshield washer fluid with alcohol in it at a FLAPS today. I loaded up both cars. It probably only protects a few degrees below freezing since the bottle says it protects down to 22º but only when used full strength. Still, some is better than none. I've never had a problem before and have seen temps in the low 20s and high teens the past several years without issue. The FLAPS that I was in had plenty of regular antifreeze, and plenty of "summer formula" windshield washer fluid.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by masraum

I have a hard time picturing a bunch of country guys out draining water out of cars to add antifreeze. What else would they be doing with it? The only other 2 things that I can imagine would be tractors ....

Yes, tractors, but probably not in this case. Guys DIY tractor tire ballast by putting anti freeze in the tires. Next to WW washer fluid, it's about the cheapest ways to do it. But I doubt a bunch of Texans have suddenly decided their tractors aren't heavy enough.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I can't find the antifreeze drain on my 911 so it still has the original factory antifreeze and water pump.

And I asked you for advice about my Carrera

[gregpark]

Originally Posted by masraum

I have a hard time picturing a bunch of country guys out draining water out of cars to add antifreeze. What else would they be doing with it?

Is there an increase in spousal poisonings in your area?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by gregpark

Is there an increase in spousal poisonings in your area?

Maybe if they are all going to be frozen into their homes together for the next 3 days?

[rwest]

Car ant-freeze is the wrong product to be putting in your drains, but maybe people are worried about their drain pipes freezing and are using it rather than the proper RV anti-freeze?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rwest

Car ant-freeze is the wrong product to be putting in your drains, but maybe people are worried about their drain pipes freezing and are using it rather than the proper RV anti-freeze?

People absolutely could be doing something funky with it.

[gregpark]

I've been using regular car anti freeze in my pee traps for years. Never knew I could be ****** up the plastic plumbing. When does it start doing damage because I've been using it for 40 years successfully

[rwest]

Originally Posted by gregpark

I've been using regular car anti freeze in my pee traps for years. Never knew I could be ****** up the plastic plumbing. When does it start doing damage because I've been using it for 40 years successfully

I think it’s the toxicity that’s the problem not that it would damage the plumbing.

[gregpark]

But AI said it could

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by gregpark

But AI said it could

Antifreeze is primarily designed prevent the water in a cooling system freeze of course. But is is also vital to have anti corrosion and lubrication of the engine parts. The water pump needs the lubrication, and the internal brass and steel parts need the anti corrosion parts. Most sensors are brass, and many cars have plastic parts in there. I know Porsche has their special antifreeze to work with the plastic parts in the system.

When I pull the cap off my El Camino radiator, there is no corrosion as I replace the antifreeze every 24 months.

I can't image it will hurt plumbing. Even cast iron pipes made of the stuff of most engine blocks will not be hurt. Maybe the old orangeburg drain pipe might somehow be hurt, but I would bet there is a buildup of um "stuff" on the bottom of the pipe to keep any antifreeze from making contact.

I used to flush a large dose of rock salt down the toilet at my old bachelor pad house to slow down the roots from two large pecan trees in the back yard. I still had to have to rooted out every few years.

Now the water department might not like it, as it is toxic. I suspect it is diluted to the point is will not matter. That is just speculation. We don't ever flush it as our house is a kept warm.

[vash]

is this all because TX is blasted by a winter storm?