Coolant for topping off

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Apr 16, 2023 | 05:26 PM

acdii

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Coolant for topping off

Since my dealer didn't top off the fluids like I expected them to when they did the oil change, I now need to top off the coolant in both bottles. When I popped the cap off the EGR cooler ( think that is what its for, front left small bottle) the color of what coolant I saw on the cap was green. I cannot tell for sure what the color for the main coolant is, its too far down, below the seam where the two halves join. I am pretty sure there is supposed to be yellow coolant in both.

So off the shelf, what should I look for at like Walmart or one of the other box stores that sells auto stuff, like Farm and Fleet, Fleet Farm etc.

Apr 16, 2023 | 08:20 PM

Dirthawg2.0

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From: NE Oklahoma

Just head to the parts department at your local dealership I paid $16.99/gal for the VC-13-G concentrate a year or two ago from my local dealer. Looks like Amazon is asking almost $30 for the same thing I purchased from the dealer. Your signature indicates you have a 2019, if your vehicle was manufactured after July 2018 then it would have came with the new Motorcraft Yellow Coolant from the factory. This is a Phosphate Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (POAT) Coolant and it actually looks similar to fluorescent green rather than yellow. It doesn't require the frequent testing like the Orange (OAT) coolant it replaces. It's backwards compatible with the Orange Coolant so they can be mixed together without any issues.

Sorry can't answer your question about what brand/spec at the auto parts store meets this specification.

Apr 17, 2023 | 05:06 PM

acdii

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When the dealer failed to top it off after spending near $160 for an oil change, would you really then go to the dealer and give them more money for something they should have taken care of to begin with?

Yeah, I don't think so. I gave them a bad review, they didn't like it.

Apr 17, 2023 | 05:27 PM

Dirthawg2.0

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From: NE Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by acdii

If it bothers you that much take the truck back and make them top of the coolant.

Go to another dealer or pay twice the price at Amazon its all your choice.

I see Prestone has a coolant that claims to be compatible with every coolant out there. I personally wouldn't trust that stuff but maybe you would.

Apr 19, 2023 | 08:23 AM

rufushusky

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From: Walpole, MA

If the Truck was built after July of 2018 as previously mentioned you need this:

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...hoCa0QQAvD_BwE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirthawg2.0

I see Prestone has a coolant that claims to be compatible with every coolant out there. I personally wouldn't trust that stuff but maybe you would.

Most "universal" coolants have an OAT base to them. Most likely would not cause an issue, however would just dilute the higher performing P-OAT he has in the system.

Apr 19, 2023 | 10:46 AM

HRTKD

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From: Wyoming

I've been keeping an eye on my coolant level (the reservoir on the driver side) for a while now. When the vehicle has been sitting in the garage for a few days, the coolant level is below the MIN line. But when it's running the level is right there between MIN and MAX. The owner's manual says to check it when cold and add fluid to get it to between the two lines. It also says it's OK for it to be above the MAX line when the engine is running at operating temperature.

More coolant is always better than not enough coolant. But I don't want to add so much that it comes out.

When I picked up a jug of pre-mixed coolant from the dealership a couple years ago all they had was the new stuff. It's compatible with what I have in the system, which is the old stuff.

Apr 19, 2023 | 02:36 PM

Dirthawg2.0

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From: NE Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by rufushusky

Most "universal" coolants have an OAT base to them. Most likely would not cause an issue, however would just dilute the higher performing P-OAT he has in the system.

Motorcraft Orange is an OAT coolant and requires testing to make sure the Corrosion Inhibitors don't deplete over time. Why in the world would anyone want to add an OAT coolant to a POAT system? That's taking a step backwards and could possibly cause issues if enough of it was introduced into a POAT system, he would be better topping off with only distilled water at that point.