Quick answer
Ford coolant: a current Ford manual we checked lists Motorcraft Orange to WSS-M97B44-D and Motorcraft Yellow to WSS-M97B57-A2. Ford says yellow can service orange-filled vehicles, but yellow-filled vehicles must stay on yellow. Older Fords used other specs, so check yours.
Key takeaways
- Ford coolant facts here are quoted from cited Ford documents or labelled as coolant-maker claims.
- 23 products list a Ford-family spec code. 5 more name Ford in their application text (guidance only).
- Your owner's manual decides. Specs vary by model, engine, market and year.
- Do not choose by colour.
- Independent; not affiliated with Ford.
What coolant does Ford use?
Ford coolant: a current Ford manual we checked lists Motorcraft Orange to WSS-M97B44-D and Motorcraft Yellow to WSS-M97B57-A2. Ford says yellow can service orange-filled vehicles, but yellow-filled vehicles must stay on yellow. Older Fords used other specs, so check yours.
- Motorcraft (Ford's parts brand) describes Motorcraft Orange Prediluted as "Approved to Ford Specification WSS-M97B44-D2" and says it "meets or exceeds the requirements of WSS-M97B44-D2, GMW 3420 (superseded GM 6277M) and ASTM D 3306". [1]
- A current Ford owner manual we checked (1.5L EcoBoost, "Capacities and Specifications") lists Motorcraft Orange Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant VC-3-B to WSS-M97B44-D and Motorcraft Yellow Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant VC-13DL-G to WSS-M97B57-A2. [2]
- The same manual says: "The WSS-M97B57-A2 yellow coolant is compatible with the WSS-M97B44-D orange coolant so all vehicles with orange or yellow coolant can be serviced with yellow coolant. However, if the vehicle was manufactured with yellow coolant it must be serviced with yellow coolant to maintain a longer service life." It adds that yellow coolant "may appear fluorescent green". [2]
- Ford has published a position statement on "universal" antifreeze and coolants. Read it before you choose a coolant sold as fitting all makes. [3]
- Older Ford specs also appear in coolant makers' literature, for example ESE-M97B44-A (listed for Zerex Original Green, a green low-silicate coolant) and WSS-M97B51-A1 (listed for Zerex G05). [4]
Numbers in brackets refer to the sources at the end of this page. Lines without a number summarise coolant makers' literature rather than an Ford document.
Genuine Ford coolant in our directory
These are coolants sold by the vehicle maker or its parts brand. Each product page shows exactly what the source publishes, with "not published" where it is silent.
| Product | Brand | Chemistry | Colour | Form | Why it is listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcraft Orange Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant | Motorcraft | not published | Orange | Premix 50/50 | Genuine / OE parts brand |
Ford spec codes listed by coolant makers
These Ford-family codes appear in the manufacturer data of the 23 products in our directory that list them. A code here means at least one coolant maker states its product meets it. Your manual tells you which code, if any, applies to your vehicle.
| Spec code | Products whose maker lists it |
|---|---|
| WSS-M97B44-D | 10 |
| WSS-M97B51-A1 | 6 |
| ESE-M97B44-A | 5 |
| WSS-M97B55-A | 3 |
| WSS-M97B57-A1/2 | 2 |
| WSS-M97B57-A1 | 2 |
| WSS-M97B44-D2 | 2 |
Coolants that list a Ford spec (per their manufacturer)
Each row reads "meets [code] per [brand]". The wording ("approved", "meets or exceeds", "recommended") is quoted on the product page. Open it before you buy.
| Product | Brand | Chemistry | Colour | Form | Why it is listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACDelco DEX-COOL Extended Life Coolant (Australia/NZ) | ACDelco | OAT | Red | Concentrate | Lists WSS-M97B44-D |
| Castrol Radicool NF | Castrol | not published | not published | Concentrate | Lists WSS-M97B44-D |
| Castrol Radicool SF | Castrol | OAT | not published | Concentrate | Lists WSS-M97B44-D |
| Motorcraft Orange Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant | Motorcraft | not published | Orange | Premix 50/50 | Lists WSS-M97B44-D2 |
| PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Antifreeze + Coolant 50/50 Prediluted for North American Vehicles - GREEN | PEAK | IAT | Green | Premix 50/50 | Lists ESE-M97B44-A |
| PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Antifreeze + Coolant 50/50 Prediluted for North American Vehicles - ORANGE | PEAK | OAT | Orange | Premix 50/50 | Lists WSS-M97B44-D |
| PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Antifreeze + Coolant 50/50 Prediluted for North American Vehicles - YELLOW | PEAK | P-OAT | Yellow | Premix 50/50 | Lists WSS-M97B57-A1 |
| PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Concentrate Antifreeze + Coolant for North American Vehicles - GREEN | PEAK | IAT | Green | Concentrate | Lists ESE-M97B44-A |
| PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Concentrate Antifreeze + Coolant for North American Vehicles - ORANGE | PEAK | OAT | Orange | Concentrate | Lists WSS-M97B44-D |
| PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Concentrate Antifreeze + Coolant for North American Vehicles - YELLOW | PEAK | P-OAT | Yellow | Concentrate | Lists WSS-M97B57-A1 |
| Prestone MAX All Vehicles Antifreeze + Coolant | Prestone | not published | Yellow | not published | Lists WSS-M97B51-A1, WSS-M97B55-A, WSS-M97B44-D |
| Prestone Platinum All Vehicles Antifreeze + Coolant | Prestone | not published | not published | Concentrate and Premix 50/50 | Lists WSS-M97B51-A1, WSS-M97B55-A, WSS-M97B44-D |
| HD EXPERT EXTRA Antifreeze/Coolant | Recochem | OAT | not published | Concentrate and Premix 50/50 | Lists WSS-M97B51-A1 |
| HD EXPERT PREMIUM Antifreeze/Coolant | Recochem | not published | not published | Concentrate and Premix 50/50 | Lists WSS-M97B51-A1 |
| HD Expert EXTEND Antifreeze/Coolant | Recochem | OAT | not published | Premix 50/50 | Lists WSS-M97B44-D |
| OEM Extended Life GOLD Antifreeze/Coolant | Recochem | not published | Gold | Concentrate and Premix 50/50 | Lists WSS-M97B51-A1 |
| Turbo Power Conventional Antifreeze/Coolant | Recochem | IAT | not published | Concentrate and Premix 50/50 | Lists ESE-M97B44-A |
| Turbo Power Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant | Recochem | OAT | not published | Concentrate and Premix 50/50 | Lists WSS-M97B44-D |
| Valvoline MaxLife/Multi-Vehicle Antifreeze Coolant 50/50 | Valvoline | not published | Yellow | Premix 50/50 | Lists ESE-M97B44-A |
| Zerex Asian Vehicle Blue Antifreeze Coolant | Zerex | HOAT | Blue | not published | Lists WSS-M97B55-A |
| Zerex Dex-Cool Concentrate Coolant | Zerex | OAT | Orange | Concentrate | Lists WSS-M97B44-D, WSS-M97B44-D2 |
| Zerex G05 Antifreeze Coolant | Zerex | HOAT | not published | Concentrate | Lists WSS-M97B51-A1 |
| Zerex Original Green Antifreeze Coolant | Zerex | IAT | Green | Concentrate | Lists ESE-M97B44-A |
Coolants whose maker names Ford (guidance only)
These products do not list a Ford spec code, but their manufacturer's application text names Ford (for example "recommended for Toyota, Honda, Nissan…"). That is a weaker claim than a spec code. Treat it as guidance, check the exact wording, and follow your manual.
| Product | Brand | Chemistry | Colour | Form | Why it is listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Antifreeze + Coolant 50/50 Prediluted for North American Vehicles - GOLD | PEAK | HOAT | Gold | Premix 50/50 | Maker names Ford in its text |
| PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Concentrate Antifreeze + Coolant for North American Vehicles - GOLD | PEAK | HOAT | Gold | Concentrate | Maker names Ford in its text |
| Prestone Dex-Cool Antifreeze + Coolant | Prestone | not published | not published | Premix 50/50 | Maker names Ford in its text |
| Prestone MAX American Vehicles (Orange) Antifreeze + Coolant | Prestone | not published | Orange | not published | Maker names Ford in its text |
| Prestone Prime DEX-COOL Compatible Orange Antifreeze + Coolant | Prestone | OAT | Orange | not published | Maker names Ford in its text |
Not sure which coolant your car takes?
Find your coolant →Colour and chemistry
Among the 29 products on this page, the listed colours are Orange (7), Yellow (4), Green (3), Gold (3), Red (1), Blue (1), and the listed chemistries are OAT (9), IAT (4), HOAT (4), P-OAT (2). Colour is a dye chosen by each maker, so two coolants of the same colour can be chemically different, and the same chemistry can come in different colours. Match the spec or the named factory coolant, not the colour. See coolant colours explained and OAT vs HOAT vs IAT.
Topping up and mixing
If the reservoir is low, top up only with the coolant your manual specifies, and use the same premix or concentrate ratio. Mixing chemistries can reduce corrosion protection and shorten coolant life. Some makers (Mopar, Mercedes-Benz) explicitly say not to mix specs. If an unknown coolant has been added, a flush and refill is safer than topping up. Use the mixing checker and our coolant flush guide. Never open a hot radiator or reservoir cap.
Varies by model and year
Ford has changed coolant specs over the years, and a spec can differ by engine and market (for example North America vs Europe). Electric and hybrid models may use separate loops with their own fluids. This page does not tell you which code applies to your vehicle. Your owner's manual, the reservoir cap label or a dealer does.
When to see a mechanic
See a dealer or qualified mechanic if the coolant looks rusty, oily or sludgy, if the engine overheats or the coolant warning light comes on, or if you cannot identify the correct spec. See coolant warning light and coolant leaks.
Frequently asked questions
What coolant does Ford use?
Ford coolant: a current Ford manual we checked lists Motorcraft Orange to WSS-M97B44-D and Motorcraft Yellow to WSS-M97B57-A2. Ford says yellow can service orange-filled vehicles, but yellow-filled vehicles must stay on yellow. Older Fords used other specs, so check yours.
Which coolants meet Ford specs?
23 products in our directory list a Ford-family spec code, including Prestone MAX All Vehicles Antifreeze + Coolant, Prestone Platinum All Vehicles Antifreeze + Coolant, PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Antifreeze + Coolant 50/50 Prediluted for North American Vehicles - GREEN, PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY Antifreeze + Coolant 50/50 Prediluted for North American Vehicles - ORANGE. Each product page quotes the maker's wording.
Can I use a universal coolant in my Ford?
Only if your owner's manual allows it, or if the product's maker states it meets the exact spec your manual names. "Universal" or "all makes" wording is not the same as a listed Ford spec.
What colour is Ford coolant?
Colour varies by product and era and is not a spec. Products on this page are listed as Orange, Yellow, Green, Gold, Red, Blue. Match the spec or named coolant instead.
Is Coolant.com affiliated with Ford?
No. Coolant.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford. We use the name only to say which vehicles a spec relates to.
New to cooling systems? Start with how a car cooling system works. Looking for a product? Search the coolant directory or match your manual's spec with Find my car coolant. See also coolant by car make and coolants by brand.