Can I put water instead of antifreeze?

In general, using water as coolant is OK for a short time or as a “get you home” alternative, but it does not have the anti-freeze and corrosion inhibiting properties of a proper coolant mix, so should not be left in the engine for any length of time, especially if you live in a cold climate.Click to see full answer. Accordingly, is it OK to put water instead of coolant?Although water can be added to the radiator for this purpose, it’s preferable to add a mixture of coolant and water because plain water can boil before the proper coolant will boil, causing your engine to overheat [source: pontiac]. A car radiator cannot work if there isn’t enough coolant inside the system.Subsequently, question is, do you need to mix coolant with water? Buying an antifreeze that requires you to mix it with water can be a little more involved. However, it gives you more flexibility when it comes to mixture. Generally speaking, a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze is a good place to start. Subsequently, question is, can I top up coolant with water? Mix the coolant with water (if using from concentrate) — Concentrated engine coolants will need to be mixed with water before use. We’d recommend a 50/50 mixture, although it’s important to check the label and your car’s manual to ensure the right mixture.What happens if you dont mix coolant?Water freezes at too high of a temperature so mixing it with coolant dramatically lowers that temperature. It you’re topping off your radiator or reservoir, adding a quart or half a gallon of antifreeze/coolant isn’t going to hurt anything.