Very Low Water Heat Transfer Fluid with Reduced Low Temperature Viscosity

A method for cooling an internal combustion engine using an ethylene glycol-based heat transfer fluid having an atmospheric boiling point above 136° C., a dynamic viscosity less than 1200 mPa-s, and a stable low temperature operating limit of less than −40° C., said method comprising the steps of:

• a) formulating a heat transfer fluid comprising (1) ethylene glycol, (2) an additional polyhydric alcohol component consisting of zero or more additional polyhydric alcohols, wherein the total mass of the additional polyhydric alcohol component is between 0% and 30% of the total mass of the heat transfer fluid, (3) an additive component comprised of at least one of the following additives:
• a buffer, corrosion inhibitor, defoamer, dye, bitterant, scale inhibitor, surfactant, or chelant, wherein the additive component is between 2% and 7% of the total mass of the heat transfer fluid, and (4) water, wherein the water comprises between 5% and 10% of the total mass of the heat transfer fluid;
• and
• b) substantially filling the cooling system of the internal combustion engine with the heat transfer fluid such that the heat transfer fluid absorbs heat that is produced by the internal combustion engine and releases the absorbed heat to the atmosphere.