Date:         Sat, 5 Feb 2011 13:43:46 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Canadian Mix (mea culpa, sort of)
Comments: To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <132101cbc565$dd0210e0$6501a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
From Scott:

> oh ... at a discount auto parts store you can get a handle little tester
> hydrometer thing ..
> for under 3 bucks..
> tells your a-frz concentration in just seconds.   It's silly not to have
> one, they're so handy an inexpensive.

Used to see folks use those a lot, when I was a kid growing up in Texas.  Back then, lots of folks did not use antifreeze except for winter, and they added just enough to get the freezing temp down to what they thought would be sufficient to "get by."  So, when we got a norther like the one this week, they'd be checking and adding more.  Since the year round use of coolant, that has been less prevalent, but you're right, the little cheapos from the Autozone and what not work and one can check if concerned.  Like you, I just run 50%, and have for almost ever, taught at a young age by my father.  Whenever I asked him about my neighbors and acquaintances talking about having to add antifreeze, or even in some cases, drain the block when it turned cold, he'd just say, "Poor people have poor ways."

mcneely