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What is the difference between Ford green and orange coolant?

Ford vehicles use two main types of coolant: green and orange. While they may appear similar, there are important differences between these two coolant formulations that vehicle owners should be aware of.

Ford Green Coolant

Ford green coolant, also known as Motorcraft Premium Gold Coolant, is a long-life, ethylene glycol-based coolant that is designed for use in Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Ford green coolant is formulated to last up to 150,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. It contains a proprietary additive package that helps protect against corrosion, scale, and deposit buildup in the cooling system.

Ford Orange Coolant

Ford orange coolant, also called Motorcraft Premium Antifreeze/Coolant, is a conventional, ethylene glycol-based coolant that is recommended for use in older Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Ford orange coolant typically needs to be changed every 30,000 miles or 2 years. It does not contain the same advanced additive package as the Ford green coolant, and therefore has a shorter service life.

Key Differences

Service Life: Ford green coolant lasts up to 150,000 miles or 5 years, while Ford orange coolant needs to be changed every 30,000 miles or 2 years.

Additive Package: Ford green coolant contains a proprietary additive package that provides enhanced protection against corrosion, scale, and deposit buildup. Ford orange coolant does not have this advanced additive package.

Compatibility: Ford green coolant is recommended for use in newer Ford and Lincoln vehicles, while Ford orange coolant is suitable for older models.

It's important to always refer to your vehicle's owner's manual to determine the recommended coolant type and service interval for your specific Ford or Lincoln model.

What is the orange coolant for?

Orange coolant is typically an OAT (Organic Acid Technology) antifreeze designed for modern engines with aluminum and nylon parts, offering extended life protection against freezing, boiling over, and corrosion. It is formulated for specific vehicle brands, such as many GM and Chrysler vehicles, and should not be mixed with older, conventional green coolant, as it can form a jelly-like substance that clogs the system.

What orange coolant is used for

Protecting modern engines: Orange coolant uses Organic Acid Technology (OAT) to protect newer engine components made of materials like aluminum and nylon from corrosion.
Providing long-term protection: This type of coolant is known as an "Extended Life" coolant, designed to last for a longer period, often around five years or up to 150,000 miles.
Extreme temperature protection: It protects the engine from both freezing in the winter and boiling over in the summer heat.
Corrosion and rust prevention: The organic acids act as a corrosion inhibitor, reducing the risk of engine damage from rust and corrosion.
Lubricating seals and water pumps: It also helps lubricate seals and water pumps, contributing to their longevity.

Important considerations

Do not mix with other coolants: Orange coolant is incompatible with older coolants, particularly conventional green coolant. Mixing can cause a chemical reaction that creates a gel, blocking coolant flow and potentially leading to serious engine damage.
Check your owner's manual: The color is not a definitive guide, and some manufacturers may use different colors for the same coolant technology. Always check your vehicle's owner's manual to ensure you are using the correct type and color of coolant recommended by the manufacturer.
Identify by brand: Orange coolant is often associated with specific brands like GM's Dex-Cool, but some manufacturers have their own orange-colored coolants that may not be compatible with each other.

What color should Ford coolant be?

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.

Can we mix orange and green coolant?

If you mix coolant colors, you can come across two different opinions. Some people do not see anything bad with it, as long as the type of coolant matches the one already in the system. However, according to experts, it is best not to mix different coolant colors - just for safety.

What happens if you use orange coolant instead of green?

Mixing orange and green coolant is not recommended as it can cause a chemical reaction that forms a sludge, which clogs the cooling system and can lead to overheating and major engine damage. Different coolant types are based on different technologies and are not compatible, so if you use orange coolant instead of green, you must first flush the system and replace it with a compatible coolant to avoid these problems.

What happens when you mix them

Chemical reaction: Mixing the two can cause a reaction that creates a "gelatinous mess" or sludge.
Clogged system: This sludge can clog the narrow passageways in the radiator, water jackets, and heater core.
Overheating: A clogged system prevents proper heat exchange, leading to overheating.
Engine damage: Overheating can lead to more severe problems, such as blown head gaskets and warped cylinder heads.
Reduced corrosion protection: The mix can also reduce the effectiveness of the corrosion-inhibiting additives in both types of coolant.

How to fix the issue

Do not top off with the wrong coolant if you know what the correct type is.
If you have already mixed them, the system needs a complete flush.
Use a system flush to remove the sludge and then replace the coolant with the one specified for your car in the owner's manual.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.