Ford’s New Yellow P-OAT Coolant: Should You Upgrade?

[ZMan]

I work at a Ford collision shop now, and was introduced to the new stuff today when I went to grab coolant for a Focus ST I'm repairing. Apparently ANY vehicle that comes into service that is still under warranty HAS to have the coolant changed out to the new yellow stuff per Ford.

 

[Dirtman]

Ford seems to do that alot. They come up with something new and instead of continuing to carry the old stuff they just change the recommendation on everything past and present to use the new stuff. I know they did this with gear oil, all trucks get 75w140 now no matter if you bring in an 86 ranger or a 2020 f150. Probably just cost effective for them to only need to stock one item.

 

[86isuzu]

Girlfriends 2011 escape uses orange Coolant. Special ford blend of orange, not dexcool.

Zerex Dex-Cool meets Ford spec WSS-M97B44-D. So you may be able to use another brands flavor of Dex-Cool.
Ford also has a special dark green #WSS-M97B55-A that Zerex Asian (violet) and Pentosin SF (violet/purple) is compatible with. Color, unfortunately doesn't tell us the whole story anymore.

I miss the good 'ol green days.

 

[Dirtman]

I miss the good 'ol green days.

I miss air cooled engines...

 

[fastpakr]

I miss air cooled engines...

Dexcool definitely isn't compatible with those.

 

[Dirtman]

Dexcool definitely isn't compatible with those.

Dexcool isn't compatible with engines period.

 

[racsan]

Dexcool isn't compatible with engines period.

I think its a marketing strategy by gm. Gel up the coolant cavity & send the overheating (but full of coolant) car to the boneyard.
Really, at some point before 100K youre going to be breaking into the cooling system anyways, and most likely (I know I will) youre just going to put fresh , new coolant in anyhow. Weather its a thermostat, water pump, hose, radiator or heater core, something is going to give out at some point. At least that has been my experience.