The owner’s manual on my 2001 Supercrew (5.4L) calls for a (green) Antifreeze that meets Ford Spec ESE M97B44-A. It also says NOT to use a long life antifreeze that meet Ford Spec WSS M97B44-D.

Prestone’s new antifreeze is labeled as long life so I looked at the specs. Prestone’s website has a FAQ link that mentions specs. It states that Prestone Antifreeze/Coolant (note the name) meets Ford Spec ESE M97B44-A.
A Prestone tech told me today that Prestone has not made that old product for two years (they just leave that spec on the website for all those folks who have old jugs of Prestone sitting in the garage) and the new product
Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant does NOT meet the Ford Spec ESE M97B44-A(!). This is the product that Prestone recommends we put in our trucks.

It looks like some of the antifreeze manufacturers are now using different types of corrosion inhibitors. One Ford dealer service rep told me that “as long as it is green there is no problem” while another Ford dealer service rep told me that those specs were written for a reason…. I am worried about alloy corrosion issues.

Should I stick with Motocraft or Zerex brands (the only two I could find that still meet the “old” spec) or are the new long life formulations safe for our trucks? Does anyone know if Ford has mentioned this in any TSB’s?

 

You might want to check around at Ford. They do change their specs. Before it was recommeneded to use 75w90 in the rears. they now recommend 75w140. For the 97-00 f150s, it was recommended to use 5w-30. They now recommend 5w-20. Maybe someone here will know if the specs were changed for the antifreeze.

 

So i have a 1999 5.4 manual calls for 5w30 so now am i to use 5w20?

 

That's up to you. I can only say what I have read about the recommendations. Personally, using the 5w20 in my 01 and 04, I have no problems, and don't expect any. From the UOA's I have seen in different forums, the 5w20 does just as good or better than the 5w30 oils. I would make sure it is at least a synthetic blend, whichever way you go.

 

I have been using motorcraft oil 5w30

 

If it works, there is no reason to change. Especially as it is the original recommended by Ford. The advantage the the 5w20 may have is it might give a little better gas milage. I am not sure whether the MC 5w30 is a blend or not. If not, the blend will give you a little better protection without the cost of a full synthetic.

 

Thanks it is a blend .

 

Yea, I think that a few years ago Ford did a TSB on using 5W-20 oil for the 5.4 L engines. Some of the earlier owners manuals for 2001 call for 5W-30 and the later ones call for 5W-20. I am kind of hoping something like that has happened with the antifreeze.

As far as antifreeze -
I could not find anything usefull on Ford.com or Motocraft.com and I already told you what I got from 2 service managers.
Come on guys - anyone have any info on the antifreeze?

 

Sorry you couldn't find anything at Ford. As far as service managers, no comment, other than to say far too many don't know the product they are dealing with. Just like salesman.

Edit - forgot to mention, my 04 uses the MC Gold long life antifreeze. So somewhere along the line Ford has changed something, and I doubt if it is the engine/radiator combo.

 

Kingfish -

I think the spec changed midyear 2002 - or maybe they just started putting in different color at the factory. Green to yellow?
What is the antifreeze spec called for in the owners manual on your 04?

 

Right out of the manual.

 

Thanks Kingfish.
I dont see your 04 spec mentioned either.

Here is the link - (note the product names here - they are kind of vague when compared to the names on the jug)
http://www.prestone.com/carcare/faq.php

 

I go to the Ford dealer and buy Green Premium anti-freeze for $12.50. Since it is 100 percent anti-freeze not 50/50 like at Walmart it's cheaper.

When you flush your cooling system you can't get all water out so it's hard to get a 50/50 ratio with 50/50 anti-freeze.

 

There is no secrets to this.
Go to the Motorcraft website and follow the chemicals path to see the charts and recomendations for all cars and trucks/years and read the notes.

 

I learned that the reason Ford uses/recomends 5w20 is because this oil is what gives them the gas mileage rating on the sticker. A thinner oil will give better gas mileage.
Since gas mileage takes a back seat to engine life in my opinion. I use havoline 5w30 in my 02 f-150 v-6 2wd. I live in Florida where road surface temperatures can exceed 185 degrees in the summer.