2018 Ford Escape Coolant Capacity & Type

The 2018 Ford Escape cooling system holds approximately 9.0 to 9.8 quarts (8.5 to 9.2 liters) of coolant, depending on the engine configuration.

Quick Answer

• Total Cooling System Capacity: 9.0 to 9.8 quarts (8.5 - 9.2 liters)
• OEM Coolant Specification: Ford/Motorcraft Specialty Orange Coolant (VC-3-B) or equivalent, meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D2. This is an Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolant.
• Mix Ratio: 50/50 prediluted or mix 50% concentrate with 50% distilled water.

Capacity by Engine Option

The coolant capacity can vary slightly based on the engine installed in your 2018 Ford Escape:

Flush Interval

Ford recommends the following coolant flush intervals for the 2018 Escape with its Specialty Orange OAT coolant:

• Normal Duty: Initial replacement at 10 years or 200,000 miles (320,000 km), whichever comes first. After the initial replacement, every 5 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km).
• Severe Duty: If your driving habits fall under severe duty conditions (e.g., frequent towing, extensive idling, extreme temperatures), consider inspecting and potentially flushing the coolant more frequently, possibly at half the normal duty interval.

How to Refill & Bleed

Properly refilling and bleeding the cooling system after a drain or flush is crucial to prevent air pockets, which can lead to overheating. Always perform this procedure on a cool engine.

1. Drain: With the engine cool, place a drain pan under the radiator. Open the radiator draincock (petcock) located at the bottom of the radiator. Remove the radiator cap to allow air to enter and facilitate draining. Some models may have an engine block drain plug as well.
2. Close Drain: Once drained, close the radiator draincock securely.
3. Refill: Slowly fill the degas bottle (coolant reservoir) with the specified 50/50 Ford/Motorcraft Specialty Orange coolant mixture to the "FULL COLD" line. Filling slowly helps minimize air entrapment.
4. Burp System: Start the engine and let it run with the heater on full blast (this opens the heater core valve, allowing coolant to circulate through) and the radiator cap off (or degas bottle cap off, depending on design). As the engine warms up, the thermostat will open, and coolant will begin to circulate. Squeeze the upper and lower radiator hoses several times to help dislodge air bubbles.
5. Monitor Level: Keep an eye on the coolant level in the degas bottle and add more as needed to maintain the "FULL COLD" line. You may see air bubbles escape from the degas bottle.
6. Cycle & Cool: Continue running the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature and the cooling fans cycle on and off a couple of times. Then, turn off the engine and allow it to cool completely (typically several hours or overnight).
7. Final Check: Once cool, recheck the coolant level in the degas bottle and top it off to the "FULL COLD" line if necessary. Replace the degas bottle cap tightly.

Note: The 2018 Ford Escape typically self-bleeds well through the degas bottle. There are generally no specific bleed screws. For a faster or more thorough bleed, especially after extensive work, a vacuum-fill tool can be used by a professional.

Common Cooling System Issues

While generally reliable, the 2018 Ford Escape (and this generation in general) can experience some common cooling system-related issues:

• Coolant Leaks: Often attributed to aging hoses, radiator issues, or water pump seals. Inspect for visible leaks, especially around hose connections, the radiator core, and under the water pump.
• Thermostat Issues: A faulty thermostat can cause the engine to overheat (stuck closed) or run too cold (stuck open), leading to decreased efficiency and potential long-term damage.
• Water Pump Failure: The water pump is a critical component that circulates coolant. Symptoms of failure include leaks, whining noises, or engine overheating. This is more common on higher-mileage vehicles.
• Degas Bottle (Coolant Reservoir) Cracks: Over time, the plastic degas bottle can become brittle and crack, leading to coolant leaks and a low coolant level.
• Radiator Fan Issues: Malfunctioning cooling fans can lead to overheating, especially in stop-and-go traffic or at idle.

Regular maintenance and adherence to the recommended coolant flush intervals are key to preventing these issues and ensuring the longevity of your 2018 Ford Escape's cooling system.

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