I currently own a 2003 Ford Mustang that I purchased used In 2006 with 38k miles. I do not know what type of service was done on the car the 3 years I didn’t own it. I’m alway on top of the service schedule as much as possible but had 2 kids recently and haven’t done much in the last 6 years.

The car currently has 109k on it so I decided to drain and fill the coolant. When I drained the fluid I got what I though was a rusty colored water with a hint of green in it. See attached photo. I could swear that when I check the coolant last it was green.

When I went to ford to purchase new coolant the guy said my car takes the Mopar gold fluid. When I told him my car had green he said his system was wrong, I was correct and sold me the green Vc5. I have since filled the system with green and the car seems fine. I have since done further research and most say the car takes the gold so now I’m truly second guessing myself. Will I do damage to the car, assuming green is incorrect, if I leave it this way? Will I damage the radiator, heads, etc? Is there anyone else that owns a 2003 mustang that can confirm the color of their antifreeze? Green or gold? What should I do?

I appreciate any help I can get on this.

 

All S197 mustangs take VC-7 (aka G05 aftermarket) GOLD colored coolant.

https://parts.ford.com/content/dam/f...s_Brochure.pdf

 

He has an 03 though, I thought they just took the regular old green stuff?

 

The s197 was the 2005 - 2014 model. No? I have a 2003 3.8 v6 model.

 

yep misread that. Saw the 06 purchase date. Missed the 03 PURCHASED in 06. My bad.

Just use the chart. Unless yours was built BEFORE 07/2002 you still use gold. That date may be the cutoff of what a 2002 is vs a 2003 model year. As in anything before that date is a 2002 and anything after is a 2003.

 

Is there a way for me to tell the year and month my car was built? Does the vin tell me that and how would I decode it?

thank you.

 

Look on your drivers side door jam (frame of the car). The silver VIN plate will have a ton of info including DATE or MFG which has the month/year of build.

 

Thank you for the response and all the help on this issue. I was able to locate the manufacture date on the car. The car was built in august of 02 and from the info you sent me the car should use the gold antifreeze as its later then July 15 of 02. Although it’s not that far off, since there is no day on the manufacture date, it could be 2 -6 weeks older and should call for the gold antifreeze according to ford. While I was out there I notice this sticker on the overflow canister. See attachment. Do you know what it means? I assume it’s say not to use the gold Antifreeze but then it’s not saying to use the green either. I’m so confused on this. Any light you can shed on this would be amazing. Thanks again.

 

When in doubt check with a Ford Dealer but, they will probably refer to the same documentation I already sent. I wouldn't go by that sticker. It can be misinterpreted and/or confusing (like it is) . It could mean "Don't add anything without referring to your owners manual", or don't add just plain antifreeze (meaning mix it 50/50 before adding...who knows. I never rely on stickers. Heck that overflow tank could even be aftermarket or from another car from a local pick-a-part.