Filling and Bleeding

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Milan and 2010 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle. When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
Do not add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D or green colored Premium Engine Coolant. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
Do not add alcohol, methanol or brine, or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Follow community regulations and standards for recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.

Loosen the Motor Electronics Cooling System (MECS) bleed screw on the DC/DC converter and slowly fill the coolant expansion tank with coolant until it begins to flow out of the bleed hole. Then, close the bleed screw.
- Tighten to 3 Nm (27 lb-in).
NOTE: Adhesives, stop-leak pellets or small foreign material in the Motor Electronics Cooling System (MECS) can cause poor performance or temporary blockage of the motor electronics pump. Only use clean, approved coolant when filling the system.

Fig 1: Locating Coolant Expansion Tank Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Turn the ignition to the ON position to actuate the MECS coolant pump and continue to fill the coolant expansion tank to the FULL COLD level labeled on the side of the tank.
To bleed air from the MECS , turn the ignition switch to the OFF position. Loosen the MECS bleed screw on the DC/DC converter and allow air to escape the MECS .