Ford Coolant Type Chart By Year: Gold, Orange & Yellow (1990–2026)
The Ford coolant type chart helps you identify the approved Motorcraft antifreeze for your Ford by model and year. Ford has used conventional Green, Gold, Specialty Green, Orange, and newer Yellow coolants. The right choice depends on the vehicle, its production period, and the Ford engineering specification on the bottle.
Older Motorcraft Gold also looks yellow but uses a different specification. Check the chart and applicable build-date exception, then confirm your owner’s manual.
Match the WSS specification, not just the color.
A quick visual guide to Motorcraft chart codes and model-specific changes to Yellow coolant service classifications.
What Ford’s coolant codes mean
These codes describe approved service coolant, not necessarily the original factory fill.
WSS-M97B57-A2 (prediluted)
When selected Ford models changed to DY
According to Ford’s revised coolant usage chart, each date below changes the approved-service classification from DY/O to DY.
Ford Coolant Type Chart by Model and Year
Ford’s official Motorcraft coolant usage chart, revised October 22, 2025, identifies approved service coolants. It does not necessarily identify the original factory fill of an individual truck or SUV.
Yellow means modern Motorcraft Yellow; Orange means Motorcraft Orange; Gold means older Motorcraft Gold. “Yellow or Orange” permits those specified Motorcraft products or their combination, not any similarly colored coolant.
Ford Coolant Chart for 2018 to 2026
| Ford model | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 and newer chart classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-150, including Raptor | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange before Jan. 1; Yellow from Jan. 1 | Yellow |
| F-250 through F-550 Super Duty | Yellow or Orange before July 9, 2018; Yellow from that date | Yellow or Orange before July 9, 2018; Yellow afterward | Yellow |
| F-650 and F-750 | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange before July 16, 2018; Yellow afterward | Yellow |
| Expedition | Yellow or Orange before July 9, 2018; Yellow from that date | Yellow | Yellow |
| Explorer | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Yellow |
| Escape, including Hybrid | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange before Jan. 2, 2020; Yellow from that date |
| Edge | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange before July 8; Yellow from July 8 | Yellow |
| Ranger | Not applicable to US-market return | Yellow or Orange before July 8; Yellow from July 8 | Yellow |
| Bronco and Bronco Sport | Not applicable | Not applicable | Yellow, for applicable production years |
| Mustang, including listed performance and electric variants | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange before Jan. 2, 2020; Yellow from that date |
| Fusion, including Hybrid | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange before Jan. 6, 2020; Yellow from that date |
| Transit | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange before Jan. 1; Yellow from Jan. 1 | Yellow |
| Transit Connect | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange for applicable model years |
| EcoSport | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange for applicable model years |
| Flex | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange before July 8; Yellow from July 8 | Not applicable |
| Fiesta | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Not applicable |
| Focus | Yellow or Orange | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Taurus | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Not applicable |
| Ford GT | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange before Feb. 20, 2020; Yellow from that date |
| F-53 and F-59 motorhome chassis | Yellow or Orange | Yellow or Orange | Yellow |
How to use the chart: Match model and year, then check any build-date exception. Ford groups later years as “2020 and forward”; this does not mean discontinued models were manufactured through 2026.
A 2018 F-150 allows Yellow or Orange for service; a 2022 F-150 specifies Yellow. Always match the WSS specification.
Ford’s current 2026 F-150 5.0L owner manual confirms WSS-M97B57-A2, the modern prediluted Yellow coolant specification. It also warns that a coolant outside the defined specification can cause component damage.
For engine-specific refill quantities, see the Ford F-150 coolant capacity chart.
Ford Coolant Chart for Older Models
For pre-2018 vehicles, Ford uses G, Y, DY/O, and DY/DG. Many 2000s vehicles used Gold; later models moved to Orange or Specialty Green systems.
| Ford model or period | Approximate model-year group | Ford chart service classification |
|---|---|---|
| F-150 from most assembly plants | 1999–2001 | Premium Green |
| F-150 from most assembly plants | 2003–2010 | Gold |
| F-150 from most assembly plants | 2011–2017 | Yellow or Orange |
| F-250 through F-550 from Kentucky Truck Plant | 2002–2010 | Gold |
| F-250 through F-550 from Kentucky Truck Plant | 2011–2017 | Yellow or Orange |
| Escape, including Hybrid | 2004–2009 | Gold |
| Escape, including Hybrid | 2011–2017 | Yellow or Orange |
| Explorer and related Sport models | 2004–2010 | Gold |
| Explorer and related Sport models | 2012–2017 | Yellow or Orange |
| Mustang | 2004–2010 | Gold |
| Mustang | 2011–2017 | Yellow or Orange |
| Ranger, older US generation | 2004–2011 | Gold |
| Focus | 2004–2011 | Gold |
| Focus | 2012–2017 | Yellow or Orange |
These are selected ranges, not the complete historical chart. Exceptions occur in 2002 and 2009–2011, sometimes by assembly plant. Ford lists different 2002 F-Series changeovers for Cuautitlán and other plants.
Historical Specialty Green appears on certain Edge, Flex, Explorer, and Fusion entries. DY/DG allows modern Yellow or Specialty Green. It does not mean conventional Premium Green.
What Motorcraft Coolant Colors and WSS Specifications Mean
Ford’s codes distinguish older Gold (Y) from modern Yellow (DY).
| Motorcraft coolant | Visual identification | Ford engineering specification |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Green | Bright conventional green | ESE-M97B44-A |
| Gold | Gold or yellow | WSS-M97B51-A1 |
| Specialty Green | Dark green | WSS-M97B55-A |
| Orange, concentrate | Orange | WSS-M97B44-D |
| Orange, prediluted | Orange | WSS-M97B44-D2 |
| Yellow, concentrate | Yellow | WSS-M97B57-A1 |
| Yellow, prediluted | Yellow | WSS-M97B57-A2 |
Older Green and Gold Coolants
Older Fords often used Premium Green or Gold, with specifications ESE-M97B44-A and WSS-M97B51-A1, respectively.
Modern Yellow is not a universal replacement. Yellow-looking fluid in a 2005 F-150 may be Gold; verify its specification.
Orange and Specialty Green Coolants
Ford approves modern Yellow as a service replacement for vehicles factory-filled with specific Motorcraft Orange or Specialty Green products.
Thus, “Yellow or Orange” may describe approved service fluids, not factory fill.
Modern Motorcraft Yellow Coolant
Modern Yellow has WSS-M97B57-A1 for the concentrated version and WSS-M97B57-A2 for the prediluted version. Ford’s October 2025 product chart lists VC-13-G for one US concentrate package and VC-13DL-G for one US prediluted package.
Do not add water to a prediluted product. Follow mixing directions for concentrate.
Which Ford Models Changed Coolant From 2018 to 2020
Ford shifted several model lines from Yellow or Orange to Yellow on the dates below.
| Ford model | Date listed in Ford’s chart | New chart classification |
|---|---|---|
| F-250 through F-550 | July 9, 2018 | Yellow |
| Expedition | July 9, 2018 | Yellow |
| F-150 | January 1, 2019 | Yellow |
| Transit | January 1, 2019 | Yellow |
| Edge | July 8, 2019 | Yellow |
| Ranger | July 8, 2019 | Yellow |
| Escape | January 2, 2020 | Yellow |
| Mustang | January 2, 2020 | Yellow |
| Fusion | January 6, 2020 | Yellow |
| Ford GT | February 20, 2020 | Yellow |
These are approved-service boundaries, not proof of factory fill in every vehicle.
For a 2019 F-150 built before January 1, Ford permits Yellow or Orange service coolant; later entries specify Yellow. The 2020 Escape boundary is January 2.
If uncertain, check the owner’s manual and service records.
Can Motorcraft Yellow Replace Orange or Specialty Green
Yes, but only for the specific Motorcraft formulations Ford approved. Ford Engineering’s Yellow coolant backward-compatibility guidance permits modern Motorcraft Yellow to service Ford vehicles factory-filled with Motorcraft Orange or Motorcraft Specialty Green with Bittering Agent.
The approval covers topping off and drain-and-refill. A flush is not required solely for this switch if the system is uncontaminated; contamination requires diagnosis.
| Existing factory-fill coolant | Is modern Motorcraft Yellow approved for service? |
|---|---|
| Motorcraft Orange, WSS-M97B44-D or D2 | Yes |
| Motorcraft Specialty Green, WSS-M97B55-A | Yes |
| Motorcraft Gold, WSS-M97B51-A1 | No, not under Ford’s Yellow replacement approval |
| Conventional Motorcraft Premium Green, ESE-M97B44-A | No, not under Ford’s Yellow replacement approval |
| Unknown or aftermarket fluid | Cannot determine from color; verify first |
This does not approve arbitrary orange and yellow brands. Keep the original factory-fill maintenance schedule after switching to Yellow.
How to Verify Ford Coolant Specs in 4 Checks
Use these four checks before topping off or refilling.
- Identify the exact vehicle. Record the model, model year, and engine. Do not rely only on the generation name or exterior appearance.
- Check the relevant production date. If the chart shows a mid-year exception, confirm which side of the changeover applies. The model year alone may not settle it.
- Consult the correct owner’s manual. Look for Cooling System Capacity and Specification or the applicable Capacities and Specifications section. Use the correct market and powertrain.
- Match the WSS code on the bottle. Confirm the formulation is approved for your vehicle, including any Ford-authorized replacement. Check whether the product is concentrate or prediluted.
Read the coolant information before removing any cooling-system cap. Never open a pressurized cooling system while it is hot. Allow the engine and system to cool according to your owner’s manual.
For unknown or contaminated coolant, check service history and consult a qualified technician.
How Ford Power Stroke and Hybrid Cooling Systems Differ
A 6.7L Power Stroke can have separate primary and secondary cooling circuits. The primary circuit handles engine cooling; the secondary circuit serves other heat-management components. Separate circuits do not automatically require different coolant chemistry.
The 2026 Super Duty 6.7L diesel owner manual specifies Motorcraft Yellow Prediluted VC-13DL-G, meeting WSS-M97B57-A2, and separately lists primary and secondary coolant capacities. To understand which reservoir and circuit you are servicing, use the Ford 6.7 cooling system diagram.
Older Orange-filled 6.7L diesels have special coolant-testing rules. Ford distinguishes mixed Orange/Yellow systems from systems fully refilled with Yellow.
Hybrids and EVs may have additional loops. Follow their manuals for reservoir identification and high-voltage safety.
When Ford Coolant Color Is Not Reliable
Color alone cannot prove coolant identity. Previous servicing may have changed the original fluid.
Gold Coolant Mistaken for New Yellow
A yellow-looking coolant in an older Ford may be Motorcraft Gold, specification WSS-M97B51-A1. That is not modern Yellow; verify the older specification.
New Yellow Coolant Looking Green or Dark
Ford notes that approved Yellow coolant may become darker over time. Some owner manuals also describe a greenish appearance as a normal characteristic. Shade alone cannot establish coolant identity or contamination.
Unknown Coolant or an Unexplained Leak
A previous owner may have installed another product. If the coolant history is unclear, do not treat a color match as permission to mix. Oil contamination, particles, repeated coolant loss, or overheating warrant diagnosis rather than repeated topping off.
A fluid chart cannot diagnose a cooling-system fault.
Which Ford Coolant Type Should You Use
The correct coolant is the one approved for your Ford’s model, year, production-date exception, and engineering specification. Many newer Ford trucks and SUVs use Motorcraft Yellow meeting WSS-M97B57-A2 in prediluted form. Older vehicles may require Gold or Premium Green, while some Orange and Specialty Green vehicles can be serviced with approved Yellow under Ford’s specific replacement rules.
Use the chart to find the likely service classification, then confirm the exact WSS code in the vehicle’s owner manual. If you are unsure what coolant is already in the reservoir, check the service history before mixing products. That simple verification is safer than choosing by color or assuming every Ford uses the latest Yellow coolant.
5 Ford Coolant Type Questions Owners Ask
What Coolant Does a Ford F-150 Use?
It depends on the year and, in transition years, the production date. Ford’s service chart lists older F-150s with Premium Green or Gold, 2011–2018 trucks generally in the approved Yellow-or-Orange category, and 2020-onward F-150s in the Yellow category. Check 2019 production-date exceptions and the exact WSS specification.
Is Ford Gold Coolant the Same as Motorcraft Yellow?
No. Older Motorcraft Gold uses WSS-M97B51-A1; modern Motorcraft Yellow uses WSS-M97B57-A1 concentrated or WSS-M97B57-A2 prediluted. Both can look yellow, but Ford does not approve modern Yellow as a universal replacement for Gold. Match the specification rather than the dye.
Can I Mix Ford Orange and Yellow Coolant?
Ford authorizes the mixing of its specified Motorcraft Orange and modern Motorcraft Yellow products in eligible systems. That exception does not apply to unrelated coolant products chosen only because their colors match. If you are unsure of the original or existing fluid, identify it before topping off.
What Coolant Does a Ford 6.7 Power Stroke Use?
The correct coolant depends on the truck’s year and original coolant specification. The 2026 6.7L diesel Super Duty manual specifies Motorcraft Yellow Prediluted, WSS-M97B57-A2, for its cooling-system applications. Earlier trucks factory-filled with Orange have Ford-specific servicing and, in certain circumstances, coolant-testing rules.
Does Ford Coolant Color Change Over Time?
Yes. Ford says Motorcraft Yellow can darken during service, and some manuals note a greenish appearance in certain systems. That appearance alone is not proof of a wrong coolant. Use the Ford specification, maintenance history, and coolant condition together to decide whether further inspection is needed.
