what color coolant

[wpginterceptor]

2006 3Liter ...Ok couple summers ago i wanted to flush my coolant.. was gonna use green but someone told me no cant use that.. So i went to Ford to get the right stuff, someone HERE I BELIEVE TOLD ME GOLD is what im suppose to use.. went Ford dealer and got gold.

Anyways today I wanted to top up my coolant and went to Ford and guy gave me YELLOW.. i went back and he told me can either be yellow or gold!

i got gold again instead of the yellow... WHAT IS THE PROPER COLOR TO USE IN IT????

the parts guy kinda stumbled on that question when i asked him... couldnt give me an exact answer other than you can mix them

 

[Brain75]

welll... I don't own a 2006 nor have I ever touched one, but over in the tech section:

Ford Ranger Tech (1983-2011) - The Ranger Station

DISCLAIMER: Activities and vehicle modifications appearing or described at The Ranger Station and it’s pages may be potentially dangerous. We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person – we simply describe … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

the manual:

https://www.therangerstation.com/resources/manuals/2006_ford_ranger_owners_manual.pdf

on page 215 says:
"
Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7–A (U.S., except CA, OR and NM),
VC-7–B (CA, OR and NM), meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1.
Note: Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
• Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
"

 

[Brain75]

the problem is when the manual was written (2005 probably) they only had green OR orange OR gold, and probably only 3 specifications (I am guessing), now there are 30 types and 28 of em "meet or exceed" the specification, so it is not really the color, it is the spec.

 

[racsan]

personally Id flush it all & go old-school green. Its not like your going to go 10 years/200K before having to open the cooling system for something like a thermostat or water pump. These “extended life” coolants are rediculous in my opinion.

 

[wpginterceptor]

ok so gold or yellow!

I did put green in there then read it was suppose to be gold, so i changed it

anyways i got gold in there now

 

[pentode]

When I first got my truck I got all the same mixed information you got. After a lot of research, IIRC the 3.0 original spec was green coolant, then later switched to gold, but I don't think there were any significant changes to the engine or cooling system. The only meaningful difference between them is the gold has lower silicate levels - I can't remember the last time I saw a water pump or rad worn out from excess silicates. I'd worry more about rust chunks and acidic coolant.
My point being that assuming you're going to change your coolant every couple years you could use old school green or cheapo yellow Prestone, which is what I settled on. Works great.

 

[wpginterceptor]

thanx for all the answers

 

[Brain75]

GM did the same thing with motor oil, I had my oil changed at the dealer (cause they published a coupon for $19, and just the cheapest oil and filter at walmart was $18), then one year they decided everything HAD to be Dexoil went in and they said no can do the coupon, it will be $125. I took the keys back drove to walmart and bought $20 (the price went up) of the "old stuff" and did it myself. I figure if the first 68k mi and 10 years regular 5w30 was good enough then regular or hi mileage would be fine no need for $100+ just because they "invented" (patented) something new.