Filling and Bleeding with a Vacuum Cooling System Filler

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the manufacturer's specified coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

NOTE: Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, corrosion protection and cooling efficiency to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, maintain the engine coolant at the correct concentration and fluid level. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

Do not mix coolant types. 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.
Do not mix with recycled coolant. Use of such coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.

When adding or topping off the engine coolant:

Measure the coolant concentration in the vehicle using Coolant Battery Refractometer ROB75240 or equivalent.
Determine the concentration desired based on the vehicle duty cycle of extreme hot or cold operating conditions.
Add, top off or adjust the coolant as follows:
- for concentrations measured 48/52 to 50/50 (equates to a freeze point between -34°C and -37°C [-30°F and -34°F]), use Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted to maintain a coolant concentration in this same range.
- For all other concentrations, use Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated and/or distilled water to get to the desired concentration.

When refilling the engine coolant after a flush procedure, use a mixture of Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated and distilled water to get to the desired concentration.

NOTE: With the engine cold, fill vehicles to within the cold fill range shown on the degas bottle. This fill level will allow for coolant expansion. Overfilling the degas bottle may damage the pressure cap, which can cause the engine to overheat.

Install the Airlift Cooling System Tester and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C to -37°C [-30°F to -34°F]) engine coolant to distilled water.
- For extremely cold climates (less than -37°C [-34°F]):
  - It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%.
  - NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
  - Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
  - A coolant concentration of 60% provides freeze point protection down to -50°C (-58°F).
  - Engine coolant concentration above 60% decreases the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- For extremely hot climates:
  - It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration above 40%.
  - NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
  - Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
  - A coolant concentration of 40% provides freeze point protection down to -26°C (-15°F).
  - Engine coolant concentration below 40% decreases the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C to -37°C [-30°F to -34°F]) mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Vacuum Cooling System Filler
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.