2016 Ecoboost. About 3 months ago had several services done. One was radiator.

Was washing it last weekend and noticed that my fluid level is just under the “min” mark. Maybe about a quarter inch.

Heading out to drop off daughter at school and will be about a 1,200 mile round trip. Should I top off the fluid? I have been running at current all summer and no issues in town driving stop and go traffic with 90+ temps. All temps seem fine and no leaks anywhere

what art thou recommend?

 

If you are below the min mark, yep, I would top it off.

 

Yes top it off and i would check it when you get to your daughters school and see if it's low again.

 

Inspect below the water pump pulley for signs of coolant evaporation. Might be a slow leak past the shaft seal that never reaches the ground. Mine was.

2011 XLT 4x4 3.5l 3:55LS

 

Thanks all

Now comes the "what did they put in"

The service record is pretty sparse since it was the week of the service hack.

Is the color difference between yellow and orange that significant?

This looks orange to me

 

They probably just drained and filled the radiator.

 

Yeah. I wouldn't be surprised.

But from what I can tell, yellow is backwards compatible and topping off with yellow shouldn't be an issue

 

Top off with yellow coolant. They should have used yellow for the recent service - the color difference isn't great. I wouldn't think they would even stock orange coolant anymore since it's supposed to be replaced with yellow. For the little amount you're going to add, you can just pour in straight coolant. I second taking a look under your water pump to see if you have a little coolant leaking from the weep hole, the first sign of your water pump needing repair or replacement, but it's more likely they just filled a little short during service. I always check fluid levels immediately after a service, usually before leaving the shop.

 

Yes, if it is low why not add some? I would check the radiator cap to see if it is full, otherwise it will slowly pull from the reservoir after each heat cycle and you'll just be waiting for that to complete for it to stabilize.

Add 100% DI water or 100% coolant or 50/50 mix. With any of those you'll still be between 50/50 and 60/40. Yes, yellow is fine.

Then monitor to make sure the level is not continuing to lower (implying there is a leak).

 

If I was to add any, I would buy the yellow, it is the new correct antifreeze and it is backwards compatible. If you have driven many times and cycles, and this is where it sits level after overnight, personally I wouldn't buy a gallon to add a cup. I would keep an eye on it, but any auto store would have it, not like it's a specialty part you need to carry.