Ford GT (2018 year). Manual — part 40

1.

Unscrew the oil tank cap.

2. Add engine oil by pouring oil that meets

Ford specifications into the oil tank.
See Capacities and Specifications
(page 204). You may have to use a
funnel to pour the engine oil into the
opening.

3. Recheck the oil level.

4. If the oil level is correct, replace the cap

and the dipstick and make sure it is
fully tightened.

Note: Do not add oil further than the
maximum mark. Oil levels above the
maximum mark may cause engine damage.

Note: Make sure you install the oil tank cap
and dipstick correctly.

Note: Soak up any spillage with an
absorbent cloth immediately.

ENGINE COOLANT CHECK

WARNINGS

Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.

Do not put coolant in the windshield
washer reservoir. If sprayed on the
windshield, coolant could make it

difficult to see through the windshield.

To reduce the risk of personal injury,
make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure

relief cap. The cooling system is under
pressure. Steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when you loosen the cap
slightly.

Do not add coolant further than the
MAX mark.

Check the concentration and level of the
coolant only when the engine is cold at the
intervals listed in the scheduled
maintenance information. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 274).

Note: Make sure that the coolant level is
between the MIN and MAXmarks on the
coolant reservoir when the engine is cold.

Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The
level may extend beyond the MAX mark.

The coolant reservoir is behind an access
panel on the left side of the of the engine
compartment. The cold MIN / MAX are
located on the front inboard corner of the
coolant reservoir. MAX is located just
below where the black top meets the
translucent reservoir lower. MIN is located
3/4 inch (20 mm) below the black top.

E244128

Maintain coolant concentration within
48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze
point between -30°F (-34°C) and -34°F
(-37°C). Coolant concentration should be
checked using a refractometer. We do not
recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentration.

Adding Coolant

WARNING

Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.

Note: Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Do not use coolant or
windshield washer fluid outside of its
specified function and vehicle location.

Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling
system sealants or additives as they can
cause damage to the engine cooling or
heating systems. Resulting component
damage may not be covered by the vehicle
Warranty.

It is very important to use prediluted
coolant meeting the correct specification
in order to avoid plugging the small
passageways in the engine cooling system.
See Capacities and Specifications
(page 204). Do not mix different colors or
types of coolant in your vehicle. Mixing of
engine coolants or using an incorrect
coolant may harm the engine or cooling
system components and may not be
covered by the vehicle Warranty.

Note: Coolants marketed for all makes and
models may not meet Ford specifications
and may cause damage to the cooling
system. Resulting component damage may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.

If the coolant level is at or below the
minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately. Only check the coolant level
or add coolant when the system is cold.

To top up the coolant level do the
following:

1.

Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure
escapes as you unscrew the cap.

2. Add prediluted coolant meeting the

correct specification. See Capacities
and Specifications (page 204).

3. Add enough prediluted coolant to

reach the correct level.

4. Replace the coolant reservoir cap, turn

it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.

5. Check the coolant level in the coolant

reservoir the next few times you drive
your vehicle. If necessary, add enough
prediluted engine coolant to bring the
coolant level to the correct level.

If you have to add more than 1.1 qt (1 L) of
engine coolant per month, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating
and possible engine damage.

Note: During normal vehicle operation, the
coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.

Note: In case of emergency, you can add a
large amount of water without coolant in
order to reach a vehicle service location.
Water alone, without coolant, can cause
engine damage from corrosion, overheating
or freezing.

Do not use the following as a coolant
substitute:
•

Alcohol.

•

Methanol.

•

Brine.

•

Any coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze.

Alcohol and other liquids can cause engine
damage from overheating or freezing.

Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant. These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of
the coolant.

Recycled Coolant

We do not recommend the use of recycled
coolant as an approved recycling process
is not yet available.

Dispose of used engine coolant in an
appropriate manner. Follow your
community’s regulations and standards
for recycling and disposing of automotive
fluids.

Severe Climates

If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•

It may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.

•

A coolant concentration of 60%
provides improved freeze point
protection. Coolant concentrations
above 60% decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.

If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•

It may be necessary to decrease the
coolant concentration to 40%.

•

A coolant concentration of 40%
provides improved overheat protection.
Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the freeze and corrosion
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme
climates should use prediluted coolant for
optimum cooling system and engine
protection.

Coolant Change

At specific mileage intervals, as listed in
the scheduled maintenance information,
the coolant should be changed. Add
prediluted coolant meeting the correct
specification. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 204).

Fail-Safe Cooling

Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarily
drive your vehicle before any incremental
component damage occurs. The fail-safe
distance depends on ambient
temperature, vehicle load and terrain.

How Fail-Safe Cooling Works

If the engine begins to overheat, the
coolant temperature gauge moves toward
the red zone:

A warning lamp illuminates and
a message may appear in the
information display.

If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine
automatically switches to alternating
cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the engine.

When this occurs, your vehicle still
operates, however:
•

Engine power is limited.

•

The air conditioning system turns off.

Continued operation increases the engine
temperature, causing the engine to
completely shut down. Your steering and
braking effort increases in this situation.

When the engine temperature cools, you
can re-start the engine. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.

When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated

WARNINGS

Fail-safe mode is for use during
emergencies only. Operate your
vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long

as necessary to bring your vehicle to rest
in a safe location and seek immediate
repairs. When in fail-safe mode, your

WARNINGS

vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and
may completely shut down without
warning, potentially losing engine power,
power steering assist, and power brake
assist, which may increase the possibility
of a crash resulting in serious injury.

Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.

Your vehicle has limited engine power
when in the fail-safe mode, drive your
vehicle with caution. Your vehicle does not
maintain high-speed operation and the
engine may operate poorly.

Remember that the engine is capable of
automatically shutting down to prevent
engine damage. In this situation:

1.

Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and switch the engine off.

2. Contact the Ford GT Concierge to

obtain assistance. See About This
Manual (page 5).

3. If this is not possible, wait a short

period for the engine to cool.

4. Check the coolant level. If the coolant

level is at or below the minimum mark,
add prediluted coolant immediately.

5. When the engine temperature cools,

you can re-start the engine. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible to
minimize engine damage.

Note: Driving your vehicle without repair
increases the chance of engine damage.

Engine Coolant Temperature
Management

WARNING

To reduce the risk of crash and injury,
be prepared that the vehicle speed
may reduce and the vehicle may not

be able to accelerate with full power until
the coolant temperature reduces.

At this time, you may notice the coolant
temperature gauge moves toward the red
zone and a message may appear in the
information display.

You may notice a reduction in vehicle
speed caused by reduced engine power in
order to manage the engine coolant
temperature. Your vehicle may enter this
mode if certain high-temperature and
high-load conditions take place. The
amount of speed reduction depends on
vehicle loading, grade and ambient
temperature. If this occurs, there is no need
to pull off the road. You can continue to
drive your vehicle.

The air conditioning may automatically
turn on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect the engine from
overheating. When the coolant
temperature decreases to the normal
operating temperature, the air conditioning
turns on.

If the coolant temperature gauge moves
fully into the red zone, or if the coolant
temperature warning or service engine
soon messages appear in your information
display, do the following:

1.

Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and shift the transmission into
park (P).