Hey guys,

I don't have the manual and everybody I asked says something different. What's the coolant capacity and coolant type for a 2003 Ranger 2.3 automatic. Let me know when you get a chance.

Thanks in advance.

Ignacio

 

You can download 2003 owners manual here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

2003 2.3l DOHC Duratec Ranger automatic will be 5R44E model

Ford Ranger Fluids and capacities seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/sto...ds-capacities/

Quick reference I see:
2008-2002 Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant (yellow)
2.3L Manual Transmission — 11.2 quarts
2.3L Automatic Transmission — 10.9 quarts

Automatic has trans cooler in radiator so .3 less room for coolant

Always reverse the heater hoses at the firewall when changing coolant, good to do once a year, if you remember, helps make heater core last longer by reversing the flow thru it

 

Thanks for the info, I’ll save the manual. by the way, only time I replaced the coolant AutoZone gave me Prestone 50/50 green but the manual calls for yellow. Did they give me the wrong one? Will that be a problem?

 

Coolant color is not standardized, there is no "legal requirement"

There are 3 types of coolant bases

In general they use these colors
Green is Silicate based, first coolant sold, lasts for 2 years before it needs to be changed

Red/pink, was introduced in the late 1980s, in Asian cars, it is OAT(organic acid) based, lasts 5 years, when OAT came out Silicate was also called IAT(inorganic acid)

Silicate and OAT are NOT compatible, mixing them will cause a sludge build up in cooling system, a very bad thing

Yellow/Gold came out in late 1990's it is HOAT(hybrid organic acid), still lasts 5 years but often sold as "lifetime" coolant which means "5 years" to car makers, lol

HOAT can be mixed with OAT or Silicate based coolant, no issues

There is no difference as far as their cooling properties or anti-freeze properties, OAT and HOAT last longer between changes
OAT or HOAT are also said to be better in mixed metal types of engines, i.e. cast iron and aluminum parts, I have never witnessed that but might be true if you didn't change coolant for 10 years or so

In my older vehicles I use Silicate(green) because its cheaper and I doubt I will get 5 years between cooling system problems, lol, i.e. broken hose or ??
So just don't use the more expensive brands or types

Your 2003 would have used Yellow/gold Ford HOAT type coolant, if you feel you will get 5 years with no cooling system issues then take back the green and change it for HOAT
But no reason you can't use the green coolant just won't last as long

 

Ok, thanks a lot for the clean explanation!