Coolant Flush How-to: 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

Ford Explorer Model Years - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

How to drain coolant and do a radiator flush

Author

Hans Angermeier is an ASE certified Maintenance and Light Repair Technician and has produced over 100,000 videos showing drivers how to fix things on their cars. He has broad expertise on basic repair procedures covering the majority of cars on the road. Over the past 10 years, Hans has been focused on building CarCareKiosk, which is visited by millions of drivers each month.

2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L V6 Lights Turn Signal - Rear (replace bulb)

Don't send mixed signals - if your turn signal doesn't blink, or blinks rapidly, you likely have a burnt out bulb

2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L V6 Jack Up Car Use Your Jack to Raise Your Car

Where is the jack location, jack points and other tips on jacking up a vehicle

2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L V6 Car Seats Install

You love your kids right? See how to properly secure their car seat.

2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L V6 Fuse (Interior) Check

Carmakers are hiding interior fuse boxes all over the place these days - see how to check your interior fuses here!

Share on   Share on Twitter   Share on Facebook
Parts & Tools
We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate
Video Description

Learn how to flush the coolant (antifreeze) in your 2017 Ford Explorer. Coolant / antifreeze circulates through Explorer radiator and engine to maintain the proper temperature. Coolant / antifreeze also passes through the heater core under your cowl to provide heat to the cabin of your Explorer. In addition to preventing your car from overheating, coolant / antifreeze also helps lubricate the seals in the water pump and hoses. Start your coolant flush by draining the coolant / antifreeze that is in your reservoir, then drain the coolant that is in your radiator by opening the petcock or removing the lower radiator hose. This video shows where the radiator drain plug (petcock) is located on a 2017 Ford Explorer. Fill up the radiator with distilled water and run the engine. Turn off the engine and drain the water, fill up the radiator with antifreeze until you have a 50/50 coolant / distilled water mixture and burp the system.

Like the oil in your Explorer, coolant gets dirty over time and loses its ability to cool down your 3.5 liter engine. When you flush your coolant, which is antifreeze, on your 2017, you are draining out all of the old dirty coolant and preventing costly radiator and cooling system repair down the road. The video above shows you where the petcock on your radiator is located, how to flush the coolant / antifreeze and how to burp the system to get the air out of your Explorer.

Coolant is toxic and animals are attracted to the sweet taste of coolant (antifreeze). If you spill coolant when you flush your Explorer, be sure to put down cat litter to soak it up to discard it. Flushing the coolant on a regular basis removes gunk and mineral deposits from your engine, while prolonging the life of your heater core, thermostat, hoses and water pump.

  • Advance Auto coupon for
    20% off entire order: KIOSK20