What color is Ford antifreeze?
Ford antifreeze, also known as coolant, is a vital fluid that helps maintain the proper operating temperature of your vehicle's engine. It plays a crucial role in preventing overheating and ensuring the longevity of your car's engine components.
What Color is Ford Antifreeze?
The standard color of Ford antifreeze is typically a bright green or yellow-green hue. This distinctive color helps differentiate it from other types of coolants and makes it easy to identify. The green color is achieved through the use of specific additives and inhibitors that are designed to protect the metal components within the cooling system.
The Importance of Ford Antifreeze
Ford antifreeze serves several essential functions in your vehicle:
- Cooling the Engine: The antifreeze circulates through the engine, absorbing heat and transferring it to the radiator, where it can be dissipated.
- Preventing Corrosion: The antifreeze contains corrosion inhibitors that help protect the metal components of the cooling system from rust and deterioration.
- Raising the Boiling Point: Ford antifreeze has a higher boiling point than water, allowing the engine to operate at higher temperatures without the coolant boiling over.
- Lowering the Freezing Point: Antifreeze also contains additives that lower the freezing point of the coolant, preventing the engine from freezing in cold weather.
Maintaining the proper level and condition of Ford antifreeze is crucial for the health and longevity of your vehicle's engine.
Replacing Ford Antifreeze
It's recommended to replace the Ford antifreeze in your vehicle according to the manufacturer's recommended service intervals, typically every 30,000 to 50,000 miles or every two to five years. This helps ensure that the antifreeze retains its protective properties and continues to effectively cool and protect your engine.
When replacing the Ford antifreeze, it's important to use the correct type and mix it with the appropriate amount of water to maintain the proper concentration for optimal performance.
When did Ford stop using green coolant?
"Mustangs built before July 15, 2002, used the "green" ethylene glycol coolant... While those built after July 15, 2002, used Motorcraft's gold coolant." Doing a complete overhaul on my coolant system on my Bullitt I want to go with the gold because it lasts longer.
Is Ford coolant yellow?
According to the manufacturer, this Motorcraft VC13DLG coolant is officially labeled and formulated as a yellow colored, pre-mixed antifreeze/coolant. This coolant meets Ford specification WSS-M97B57-A2, required for many newer Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
Do Fords need special coolant?
Every car manufacturer, including Ford has developed its own coolant or requires a specific coolant that is unique to individual years and models. There are several colors of coolants to help distinguish each including green, blue, yellow, purple red, and orange.
What color coolant does a Ford use?
Ford coolant has been orange in older models and is now a yellow (sometimes appearing lime green) coolant for newer vehicles, starting around late 2018 or early 2019. The new yellow coolant is designed to replace the older orange coolant and is backwards compatible, though it's often recommended to do a full flush for optimal performance and protection.
Coolant colors and details
- Orange: This was the standard coolant for many Ford vehicles from approximately 2011 to 2018. It's an ethylene glycol-based, long-life coolant that may sometimes appear pinkish.
- Yellow: This is the newer, recommended coolant. It is also known as "P-OAT" and has a longer service interval than the orange coolant.
- Some users report it has a slight green tint, but it is officially labeled as yellow.
- It is backwards compatible with the older orange coolant.
- It is recommended to use distilled water when mixing with the new yellow coolant.
Important considerations
- Mixing: While the new yellow coolant is designed to be compatible with the old orange coolant, it is best practice to perform a full system flush and refill to get the most benefit from the newer formula and ensure proper protection, especially for newer vehicles.
- Warranty: Ford recommends using the correct coolant to avoid potential damage to the engine or cooling system, which may not be covered by the vehicle's warranty.
- Discontinued orange coolant: Ford has officially discontinued the orange coolant, but some aftermarket brands may still offer it.
- Correct specification: Always check your vehicle's owner's manual for the specific Ford specification your vehicle requires (e.g., WSS-M97B44-D or WSS-M97B44-D2 for the orange coolant) to ensure you are using the correct product, especially when adding a top-off.
