Quick question: Whats the recommended ratio of antifreeze to water? Replacing mine tomorrow and was thinking 50:50 would be about right.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

I always use a 50/50 mix. Also, mix it up in a watering can (or similar) before pouring it in to the engine - don't rely on adding neat antifreeze, then topping up.

Cheers m8. thought the 50/50 mix was about right.

It’s also a good idea to us deionised water and not tap water.

It’s also a good idea to us deionised water and not tap water.

Why exactly?

Why exactly?
Tap water is not exactly pure, it’s full of minerals (even more so in hard water areas) and added chemicals that could react with the coolant. The manuals are good for you but not for rubber pipe work and moving parts such as the water pump. Deionised water is so pure it is not even very electrically conductive.

If you are in a soft water area (like me!), it won't make a lot of difference. If you are in a hard water area, like london, there is a possibility you will get furring (like the base of the kettle) in your engine and radiator. This will reduce the efficiency of the system. Destilled or de-ionised water will be better.

beat me to it!

They only used tap water at the factory. Plus anti-freeze of course; 50/50.

They only used tap water at the factory. Plus anti-freeze of course; 50/50.

Yep but they made cars by the thousands and water was almost free at the tap.
Plus they aren't really bothered at the factory about scaling up of the water ways.
Go with deionised or distilled water as advised.