I'm wanting to change the antifreeze and I didn't quite get it done yet, but hasn't froze yet and it's about -1 here.

The reason I want to change it "or maybe I don't need to?" is because the previous owner had the Orange antifreeze put in it.

Does ford even use the Orange stuff?? Only vehicles I heard use Orange were chevy's. Had me a bit puzzled.


Also this spring I plan on getting transmission fluid changed. 100k on it figured it's due. Mainly because there's a slight noise when it's started and it goes away when you put the truck in gear. I would guess the breakdown of the ATF.

Should I just get the ford recommended ATF or let the guy I got changing it Flush it and change to synthetic?


Any other recomended fluids to be changed besides oil?

 

Mine had orange in it but I thought it was only a '97 thing. I finally went to green when I got a new radiator and when I did it I ran on water for about a week to clean out the system, which of course you need to do in the summer. On top of that I replaced it with the prestone that claims it can be added to any color so what little orange was left in the system shouldn't have been a problem for it. All the ATF is synthetic it needs to take whatever it says on the dipstick handle, either Mercon or Mercon V. Remember to change the filter when the fluid gets changed.

 

Take a look at the TSB section on this site. I believe Ford has a recomendation for the ATF type.

 

Mercon V is the new standard for all Fords. If your truck was built in the last 6-7 years it had V in it from the factory. If older, it has striaght Mercon, you can upgrade.

 

I would advise against a transmission flush with 100K on the clock if it's never been flushed before. It can possibly dislodge some "sludge" that has built up in the valvebody and cause the tranny to act funny.

 

I used to feel the same way and finally decided to flush mine after somewhere around 160K on the fluid and filter. As long as the fluid is red and smells good you should not have any problems with flushing it. If it is dark or burnt smelling you are screwed either way and flushing will probably hasten your tranny's death. Mercon V is a good upgrade to Mercon in most tranny's but not all, it will kill an E4OD if you "upgrade" conversely it will really help the shifting in an AODE.

 

Last I looked fluid looked ok, not like right out of the bottle but then again not really dirty or anything.

E4OD? AODE? All greek to me? All i know it's automatic and in my 99 f150 2wd 5.4 v8.