Why did Ford go Green->Gold in 2003?

[SZR48207]

From the Valvoline/G05 website, it looks like 2003 is the year that Ford decided to swap over.

My '02 Ford came with green. I think during 2002, you could get a truck with an upgraded cooling system and it would come with Gold.

In terms of specs, I believe green factory coolant would be Motorcraft conventional with silicates. The gold factory coolant for Motorcraft was actually Zerex G05.

My question is why? My truck design was continued until 2004 with the Heritage edition. As far as I know, the 2003+ models did not have a different cooling system, but apparently came from the factory with gold coolant.

I actually switched mine over to G05/PEAK Global, but I'm wondering if I can just go back to green conventional w/ silicates since those are so much easier to find.

 

[George7941]

I can think of two reasons for changing over from conventional to the long life gold.
1) Coolant life is doubled. Environmental issues involved in coolant production and disposal are lessened. Enables longer maintenance intervals, which benefits vehicle owners.
2) Silicate and phosphate precipitation issues are eliminated. This eliminates the problem of 'green goo' which cuts down on cooling efficiency and also helps to avoid damage to the water pump seal.

 

[demarpaint]

I can't find the G05 anywhere, not in my Walmart, PB, AZ or AAP. I've been looking for a month now, they have the universal junk which I'd rather not use in my 08 Jeep. I'd rather stay clear of the dealership. Next road trip I make I will check the local parts stores there.

 

[Dan55]

The list price for Motorcraft gold is not that high, call a few dealerships and get prices. I got mine from an independent auto supply for 10.49, they carry most of the OE coolants.

 

[ZZman]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I can't find the G05 anywhere, not in my Walmart, PB, AZ or AAP. I've been looking for a month now, they have the universal junk which I'd rather not use in my 08 Jeep. I'd rather stay clear of the dealership. Next road trip I make I will check the local parts stores there.


So what is your issue with the universal "junk"?

Prestone and Peak All Makes Extended Life/Long Life coolants are good for 5 yrs or 100,000 miles.

 

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted By: ZZman
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I can't find the G05 anywhere, not in my Walmart, PB, AZ or AAP. I've been looking for a month now, they have the universal junk which I'd rather not use in my 08 Jeep. I'd rather stay clear of the dealership. Next road trip I make I will check the local parts stores there.


So what is your issue with the universal "junk"?

Prestone and Peak All Makes Extended Life/Long Life coolants are good for 5 yrs or 100,000 miles.
As long as you don't mind the 2-EHA/Dexjunk related plastic eating issues or possible sludge due to air being in the system. Any Valvoline distributor should carry GO-5, any Ford dealer will have Premium Gold-several Ford dealers here are cheaper than the big chains on it. Universal green is still available (Xerex for sure) in a low(ered) silicate formula, as long as you dump & refill every 2 years, that would be fine too.

 

[wiswind]

I have bought Zerex G-05 at Carquest.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I can't find the G05 anywhere, not in my Walmart, PB, AZ or AAP. I've been looking for a month now, they have the universal junk which I'd rather not use in my 08 Jeep. I'd rather stay clear of the dealership. Next road trip I make I will check the local parts stores there.


ever think of going to the dealer?

 

[Big Jim]

Originally Posted By: Reddy45
From the Valvoline/G05 website, it looks like 2003 is the year that Ford decided to swap over.

My '02 Ford came with green. I think during 2002, you could get a truck with an upgraded cooling system and it would come with Gold.

In terms of specs, I believe green factory coolant would be Motorcraft conventional with silicates. The gold factory coolant for Motorcraft was actually Zerex G05.

My question is why? My truck design was continued until 2004 with the Heritage edition. As far as I know, the 2003+ models did not have a different cooling system, but apparently came from the factory with gold coolant.

I actually switched mine over to G05/PEAK Global, but I'm wondering if I can just go back to green conventional w/ silicates since those are so much easier to find.


Just for the record, Peak Global is not G05.

Also, Ford published a TSB permitting Gold to be backfitted to most Ford products back to 99.

 

[PandaBear]

OSH sells Peak Global (the G05 version).

 

[Big Jim]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
OSH sells Peak Global (the G05 version).


The OSH near me sells Zerex G05. I did not know that Peak Global had a G05 version.

 

[Colt45ws]

Peak Global is not G05.

 

[Eddie]

My PepBoys carried it.

 

[wiswind]

If it is G-05, it will say so on the label.
If it does not say G-05, it is NOT G-05.

I understand the confusion......I went to Checker and Napa and asked for G-05, they tried to sell me the Yellow bottle Prestone "All Makes All Models" at Checker...saying that it is G-05 even though it clearly says "NO silicate" on the label.
NAPA also tried to sell me (I think it was PEAK) that clearly said "NO silicate" on the label.

Mercedes, FORD (Motorcraft GOLD), and Chrysler sell G-05 under their brand names....

Remember....If it says "NO Silicate" it is NOT G-05.
Even the current "Green" 2 year life coolant is low silicate as compared to the "traditional" green.

I am not knocking the other brands and products.....but I am unhappy to be told something that is clearly not true....by folks that are supposed to know their product.

 

[ET16]

You can usually get G-05 at NAPA, too.