Ford Motor Company Position On Engine Coolant Made From Propylene Glycol (96-16-4)

Publication date: 2001-11-26
Reference number: 96-16-4
Supersedes refnos: 01-23-6, 94-10-8

FORD MOTOR COMPANY POSITION ON ENGINE COOLANT MADE FROM PROPYLENE GLYCOL

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): 01-23-6, Date of Issue: November 26, 2001

FORD:	1989-1993 FESTIVA; 1989-1994 TEMPO; 1989-1997 PROBE, THUNDERBIRD; 1989-2002 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, MUSTANG, TAURUS; 1994-1997 ASPIRE; 1995-2000 CONTOUR; 2000-2002 FOCUS; 2002 THUNDERBIRD; 1989-1990 BRONCO II; 1989-1996 BRONCO; 1989-1997 AEROSTAR, F SUPER DUTY; 1989-2002 ECONOLINE, F-150, RANGER; 1991-2002 EXPLORER; 1995-2002 WINDSTAR; 1997-2002 EXPEDITION; 1999-2002 SUPER DUTY F SERIES; 2000-2002 EXCURSION; 2001-2002 ESCAPE, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT; 2000-2002 F-650, F-750
LINCOLN:	1989-1992 MARK VII; 1989-2002 CONTINENTAL, TOWN CAR; 1993-1998 MARK VIII; 2000-2002 LS; 1998-2002 NAVIGATOR; 2002 BLACKWOOD
MERCURY:	1989-1994 TOPAZ; 1989-1997 COUGAR 1989-2002 GRAND MARQUIS, SABLE; 1991-1994 CAPRI; 1991-1999 TRACER; 1995-2000 MYSTIQUE; 1999-2002 COUGAR; 1993-2002 VILLAGER; 1997-2002 MOUNTAINEER
MERKUR:	1989 SCORPIO, XR4TI

Superceded Bulletin(s): 96-16-4, Date of Issue: July 29, 1996

DESCRIPTION

ENGINE COOLANT - PROPYLENE GLYCOL - FORD MOTOR COMPANY POSITION ON ENGINE COOLANTS MADE FROM PROPYLENE GLYCOL

ENGINE COOLANT - PROPYLENE GLYCOL-BASED - FORD MOTOR COMPANY POSITION ON PROPYLENE GLYCOL-BASED ENGINE COOLANTS

NOTE: This bulletin supersedes Technical Service Bulletin 96-16-4 dated July 29, 1996.

This article is being republished in its entirety to update the model year coverage.

ISSUE

This TSB article describes Ford Motor Company's position on the use of propylene glycol-based engine coolants.

ACTION

Ford Motor Company does not recommend nor endorse the use of engine coolants made with propylene glycol in Ford vehicles. Ford Motor Company currently recommends the use of ethylene glycol-based engine coolants.

Published information suggests that engine coolants made with propylene glycol may provide engine cooling performance equivalent to engine coolants made with ethylene glycol. However, different brands of engine coolant provide varying corrosion protection for the cooling system. Ford does not have performance data for the multitude of engine coolants available in the aftermarket and therefore cannot recommend the use of any coolant except those sold by Ford Customer Service Division. Consult the vehicle's Owner's Guide to determine the appropriate Ford Customer Service Division coolant for the vehicle.

Furthermore, claims of toxicological and environmental advantages of propylene glycol over ethylene glycol may be misleading. When significant new information is developed, Ford will review this policy.

Ford Motor Company specifications recommend that vehicles be maintained using certain ethylene glycol-based engine coolants. Those specifications do not refer to engine coolants made with propylene glycol. Although the Ford New Vehicle Limited Warranty is not automatically voided upon the use of a coolant made with propylene glycol, if such use results in damage to the vehicle or its components, the cost of repairing the damage would not be covered by the Ford New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

WARRANTY STATUS: Information Only.

OASIS CODES: 402000