When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
• The engine coolant should be at the “FULL COLD” level or within the
“COLD FILL RANGE” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir
(depending upon application).
• Refer to scheduled maintenance information for service interval
schedules.
• Be sure to read and understand Precautions when servicing your
vehicle in this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer to Adding
engine coolant in this chapter.
Note: Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir, when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield. COLD FILL RANGE
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• Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Refer to Lubricant
specifications in this chapter.
Note: Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets or an
equivalent product meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
Note: When adding more than 1 quart (.95L) of coolant it is necessary
to use the coolant bleed valve. Failure to bleed the cooling system when
adding engine coolant may cause engine damage. Refer to the Cooling
section of the Workshop Manual .
• Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, meeting Ford
specification WSS-M97B44-D, with the factory-filled coolant.
Mixing Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant or any
orange-colored extended life product with your factory filled coolant
can result in degraded corrosion protection.
• A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
• Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
• Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
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Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
to Refill capacities in this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined in Adding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34° F [–36° C ]):
• It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
• NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
• Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
• Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
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If you drive in extremely hot climates:
• It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
• NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
• Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
• Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
• Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
• The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the H (hot) area.
• The symbol will illuminate.
• The symbol will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
• The engine power will be limited.
• The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
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Item Ford part
name Ford part
number Ford
specification
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored) VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA, OR
and NM),
VC-7-B (CA, OR
and NM) WSS-M97B51–A1
Cooling system
stop leak pellets Motorcraft
Cooling System
Stop Leak
Pellets VC-6 WSS-M99B37-B6
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada) XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada) WSS-M2C930-A
with API
Certification
Mark
Lock cylinders Motorcraft
Penetrating and
Lock Lubricant XL-1 none
Power steering
fluid Motorcraft
MERCON AT F XT-2-QDX MERCON
Automatic
transaxle fluid Motorcraft
Premium
Automatic
Transmission
Fluid XT-8-QAW WSS-M2C924-A
Windshield
washer fluid Premium
Windshield
Washer
Concentrate ZC-32-A WSB-M8B16–A2
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Clock ............................................48
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................65
Console
overhead ....................................48
Controls
power seat .................................96
steering column ........................56
Coolant
checking and adding ..............220
refill capacities ................224, 241
specifications ..................242, 244
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................53
Cupholder(s) .............................102
Customer Assistance ................175
Ford Extended Service Plan ...200
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............201
Getting roadside assistance ...175
Getting the service you need ..196
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................201
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................199
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................30
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid .237
engine oil .................................214
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........242
Driving under special
conditions ..................................174
through water .........................174 E
Electronic message center .........63
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................190
Emission control system ..........234
Engine ........................................244
cleaning ...................................205
coolant .....................................220
fail-safe cooling .......................225
idle speed control ...................218
lubrication specifications ......242,
244
refill capacities ........................241
service points ..........................212
starting after a collision .........177
Engine block heater .................167
Engine oil ..................................214
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................214
checking and adding ..............214
dipstick ....................................214
filter, specifications ........217, 240
recommendations ...................217
refill capacities ........................241
specifications ..................242, 244
Exhaust fumes ..........................167
F
Fail safe cooling ........................225
Fluid capacities .........................241
Foglamps .....................................30
Fuel ............................................226
calculating fuel economy ..64, 231
cap ...........................................228
capacity ...................................241
choosing the right fuel ...........229
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