Your antifreeze is low and you don't have any coolant on hand - are you wondering if maybe you could use water instead? You aren't alone! There are a lot of people out there who try to use water in place of antifreeze when they don't have any other options. These people more than likely live in warm clients that never get below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and therefore feel that the water will never freeze. Although this may be tempting, it is definitely not something we would recommend - let's talk about why.
First, let's define what coolant or antifreeze is. It is a 50/50 mix of water and additives which help to increase the water's freezing and boiling points. It also contains several additives that help protect the engine from corrosion. While you drive your vehicle, it relies on coolant to essentially regulate the temperature of the engine and prevent it from overheating.
When your vehicle is low on coolant, typically due to a leak somewhere within the cooling system, engine damage can quickly occur due to overheating. This can lead you to expensive repairs bills, something you want to avoid. This is why coolant is so important and maintaining the system with the proper fluids is vital.
Water by itself can't do the job of antifreeze due to its lack of boiling and freezing point range and its inability to protect your vehicle's engine. Plus, it doesn't absorb heat as effectively. In the case of an absolute emergency, you can use water in your coolant rank. However, we highly suggest you get your vehicle into Dave's Automotive as soon as possible afterwards so that we can take a look at why your coolant is low and fill you back up with the proper fluids.