I don't know any place in Brazil that has radiator fluid. Just water is enough. No chance of it freezing anyway.

"Oil changes" are just a way of the car companies helping the oil companies. Modern motor oil is good for some 100k km.

I'm looking into the Mitsubishi 200L 3.5.  I'll be able to test drive in in mid-late september as thats when I will move to Mogi Mirim.  Most I see are the 2.5 version.  Will the 3.5 stand out more garnering unwanted attention?  I've been looking online to no avail; are there any problems with the 3.5 vs the 2.5?

Originally posted by mmaser I'm looking into the Mitsubishi 200L 3.5.  I'll be able to test drive in in mid-late september as thats when I will move to Mogi Mirim.  Most I see are the 2.5 version.  Will the 3.5 stand out more garnering unwanted attention?  I've been looking online to no avail; are there any problems with the 3.5 vs the 2.5?   -Marc

Coolant not only keeps the water from boiling, it is a lubricant and anti-corrosive for the water pump.  If you have pure water in there, you'll destroy the water pump.

Good oil lasts about 10,000 miles these days.  My car has a sensor for detecting it as it goes bad.  The first few times I changed it, it went off well before 10K, now it's always at 10K.  It breaks down, bits of metal get in there, exhaust fumes that make it past the cylinder walls gets in there.  The oil might last, but there are constantly things being added to it.

Originally posted by mmaser Originally posted by sven I don't know any place in Brazil that has radiator fluid. Just water is enough. No chance of it freezing anyway.   Coolant not only keeps the radiator from freezing but it keeps it from boiling by reducing the boiling point of the fluid which might be a good things when temperatures top 40C.   Furthermore, the coolant has anticorrosive properties to help maintain the radiator.  Yes, 10 years+ is OK for coolant changes.

The anti-corrosive properties are the primary reason for using coolant in Brasil, particularly if you live in a coastal town, where the tap water indeed has corrosive properties.  I can't tell you how many local friends/neighbors have had trouble with leaky radiators.  I ask them if they use 'additivo' in their radiator, in addition to water, and they just look at me like I asked them if they paid this year's IPVA.    

@JK: Topping off the radiator with just water fine, but what I'm saying is that most people here use 100% water in the entire radiator.

Also, these newer coolants, which warrants only changing every 50-100K miles, is not available in most of Brasil, at least not in Floripa.  The stuff sold here is quite inferior.  Granted, I could probably go 2-3 years without changing it, but I do a lot of driving up in the mountains, more strain on the motor, water heats faster/higher, and this time of year, the coolant serves it's anti-freeze purpose on occasion up there as well.  The yearly expense costs much less than a new radiator... or even a new engine!