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295
Engine Coolant
Checking the engine coolant
Your vehicle’s engine coolant protects the engine
from overheating in the summer and from
freezing in the winter. Check the level of the
engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply
look at the engine coolant recovery reservoir
located in the engine compartment. To locate
this reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle’s
engine under
Engine types
in this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked for a
long period of time the engine coolant reservoir
may eventually empty. If the engine coolant
reservoir empties, check the engine coolant level
in the radiator. Read the following warnings
before removing the radiator cap. If it is
necessary to fill the radiator, refer to the
Engine
Coolant Refill Procedure
in this chapter for
instructions.
Adding engine coolant
Adding engine coolant
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Adding engine coolant
R
WARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or
antifreeze could make it difficult to see through
the windshield.
R
WARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap
while the engine is running or hot.
R
WARNING
Follow these steps to minimize risk of
personal injury.
1.
Before you remove the cap, turn the engine
off and let it cool. Even when the engine is
cool, be careful when you remove the
radiator cap.
2.
When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to the first stop.
3.
Step back while the pressure releases.
4.
When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to press, turn,
and remove cap.
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5.
Stand away from the radiator opening. Hot
steam may blow out or hot engine coolant
may even splash out.
Freezing Protection
The factory-installed solution of Ford Premium
Cooling System Fluid and water will protect
your vehicle to
s
35˚F (
s
37˚C). Check the freeze
protection rating of the engine coolant at least
once a year, just before winter.
Add engine coolant only to the recovery
reservoir.
If the coolant level is low, add to the
reservoir a 50/50 mixture of water and the type
of engine coolant that Ford specifies. You may
add water by itself only in an emergency, but
you should replace it with a 50/50 mixture as
soon as possible.
Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an
optimized formula that will protect all metals
and rubber elastomers used in Ford engines for
four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not
necessary and not recommended to use
supplemental coolant additives in your gasoline
powered vehicle. These additives may harm
your engine cooling system. Follow the
recommended service interval for changing your
engine coolant.
NOTE:
When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
your engine coolant concentration
between 40% (-11˚F [-24˚C]) and 60%
(-62˚F [-52˚C]), depending on your local
climate conditions. Below 40% you will
lose freeze protection and above 60%
your engine may overheat on a warm
day.
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NOTE:
Do not use an engine coolant that does
not meet all 14 requirements of Ford
Specification ESE-M97B44-A. The use
of an improper coolant may void your
warranty for the engine cooling system.
Use only a premium nationally
recognized brand name engine coolant.
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the
Ford Rotunda engine coolant recycling process
and chemicals. Use only Ford Rotunda recycled
engine coolant or an equivalent recycled engine
coolant that is certified by the supplier to meet
Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
NOTE:
Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community’s standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid or an
equivalent engine coolant that meets Ford
Specification ESE-M97B44-A. Do not use alcohol
or methanol antifreeze and do not use engine
coolant mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. If you do not use the proper coolant,
the aluminum radiator on your vehicle will
corrode.
Leave the engine coolant in all year. Make sure
that the coolant will not freeze at the
temperature level in which you drive during
winter months. Keep a mixture of engine coolant
in your engine that has a protection rating of at
least -34˚F (-37˚C), or whatever protection rating
is appropriate for the climate in which you live.
To find out how much engine coolant mixture
your vehicle’s coolant system can hold, see
Refill
capacities for fluids
in the Index.
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