2000 Mercury Mystique Owner's Manual - Page 174

Maintenance and care Checking engine coolant The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the mileage intervals listed in the "Scheduled Maintenance Guide". The coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014R1060). The level of coolant should be maintained at the "cold full" or "cold fill range" level in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions in the Adding engine coolant section. Adding engine coolant When adding engine coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir when the engine is cool until the appropriate fill level is obtained. Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could make it difficult to see through the windshield. Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. The coolant system in your vehicle is filled with Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (Motorcraft CXC-8-B in Canada) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A. To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system and maintain the warranty on the cooling system: • Add the type of coolant originally equipped in your vehicle. If you are unsure which type of coolant your vehicle requires, contact your local dealer. • Do not mix the factory-filled coolant with an orange-colored EXTENDED LIFE COOLANT such as F6AZ-19544-A, meeting WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing of Ford Premium Engine Coolant with an extended life product can result in degraded corrosion protection. 174