Do you know that regular oil changes are vital for your vehicleâs performance? Well, the multiple oils in your car can get confusing. They significantly differ from each other and are not easy to remember. In fact, a small leak or low level from these fluids can cause major damage to parts of your car. In some cases, it can also lead to unsafe driving or cause problems in starting your vehicle. So, hereâs a list of six car fluids you need to check regularly to keep your vehicle in good shape. Read along to discover more about what they do, how often to check them, and how to do it! Car Fluids You Need to Check1. Engine OilThe engine oil is an integral part of the combustion cycle. It helps lubricate the engineâs components, make them cool and reduce reduction. However, the recently developed engine oil is much more capable than that. Its benefits also include maintaining the viscosity over varying temperatures, providing wear protection, and preventing acid build-up. With this importance, adverse incidents might occur if you do not change the oil as per the maintenance schedule.It can lead to car engine overheating, and over time, the components inside will warp and wear out. Worst case scenario, you will have to pay thousands of dollars if the entire engine is in complete failure. How Often to Check?Oil condition is one of the indicators to show a car engineâs health, so check it at least every two weeks or monthly. More so for older vehicles. Besides, donât forget to check it before your road trip. I know you donât want to be left stranded on the road! If you leave your vehicle without changing engine oil for a prolonged period, there will be some signs to alert you. These include engine light turning on, oil and burning smell from the engine, and knocking noise. Immediately check and change it to avoid severe damages. How Often to Change?The changing interval can differ depending on the vehicle. If you own an old car, you should replace the oil every 3,000 miles. However, you can stretch the service time to 7,500 to 10,000 miles (6 months) for modern cars. To make sure, I recommend checking your car ownerâs manual for the best service intervals. How to Check?It is advisable to check the fluid when your car engine is turned off. To get the best results, you can drive your car for a short distance then let it cool down for 10 minutes. The car will have a dipstick in the engine bay for you to quickly inspect the fluid. It usually has a yellow color. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean white rag or tissue to check its color and condition. Reinsert it and pull it out to check the oil level. There will be indicators for MAXIMUM (full) or MINIMUM (add) level. The level should be near the maximum. If not, you need to top it up. Also, look at the oilâs color.
2. Transmission FluidThe transmission fluid is responsible for the gear of your vehicle to work smoothly. It lubricates the gearbox, also known as transmission. You must remember that your carâs transmission may be automatic or manual and requires the corresponding fuel type. That means you will have to pick from automatic transmission fluid, manual transmission fluid, or CVT transmission fluid. The correct level of transmission fluid keeps the transmission from wearing out. The synchro rings and sliders need a smooth surface while shifting the gear. Other functions of TF include:
How Often to Check TF?Low levels of TF can cause problems in shifting the gear and its componentsâ life. Therefore, you must check it at least once every six months. Moreover, you must also change it every 30,000-60,000 miles, especially if you face glitches in shifting the gear. That being said, you can arrange the fuel change after 60,000-100,000 miles in case of automatic transmission fuel. How to Check?Checking the TF level is as easy as that of the engine oil. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag. While the engine is still running, place it back and remove it after a few seconds. You can determine the fluid level with the âFullâ and âLowâ indicators given on the stick. Hereâs what the fluid color tells you:
3. CoolantAn engine coolant is one of the most critical fluids required for the fluent functioning of your vehicle. Also known as antifreeze, it flows through the vehicle engine to maintain a nominal temperature range, preventing it from overheating. In the absence of enough coolant, the heat produced due to constant combustion processes can destroy the vehicle engine. In such a case, the water would evaporate in hot temperatures and freeze in cold climates.
How Often to Check?Similar to other essential fluids of the car, you must check the coolant levels and color frequently. You need to check your vehicleâs coolant at least twice a year. Additionally, you must change it after the first 60,000 miles and every 30,000 miles after that. How to Check?Checking your carâs coolant is relatively easy as you need not even use the dipstick for the same. The radiator has a see-through reservoir on the side with measurement marks. If the coolant level does not reach full, you can add a 50-50 blend of coolant and water until it reaches the âFullâ mark.
4. Brake FluidThis is the type of fluid required to keep the hydraulic brake and hydraulic clutch working flawlessly. The fluid functions by amplifying pressure on the front and rear brakes, leading to stopping the vehicle. What makes it one of the prime essential car fluids is its ability to stop the car. If the brake fluid level is low, contaminated, or not in the proper flow, it can hamper your vehicle brake system. As a result,
How Often to Check?Though the frequency of checking the brake fuel depends on your vehicle condition, you can do so regularly. Check the brake fuel level every time you get the other oils of your car engine changed. That being said, you may not need to replace it any time before 4-5 years. How to Check?Similar to the coolant, your vehicleâs brake fluid is present in a see-through reservoir. Therefore, you can easily see the level without having to remove the cap. A few signs indicating that you need to change the brake fluid immediately are:
Pro tip: You must refrain from removing the cap frequently as it can lead to drawing moisture into the hydraulic system. 5. Power Steering FluidIt is a hydraulic fluid that helps your vehicleâs power steer function without any glitches. It transfers power to the steering and ensures all the components of your steering system work well. After prolonged use, the O-rings, seals, and other such parts may lose their momentum. Moreover, they may fall prey to corrosion or lead to leaks due to deterioration. This leakage can prove to be highly dangerous for the entire system. Besides, the absence of sufficient amounts of this fluid leads to difficulty in turning the wheel. It might also make noise while cornering. How Often to Check?Though you may not find it in the regular maintenance list, checking the fluid level at least once a month is your best bet. Moreover, if you face the problems mentioned above, visit a mechanic immediately. You must replace it every 30,000-50,000 miles or around every 3-5 years. How to Check?Checking the power steering fuel is an easy process as you need not uncap any pump. The fuel reservoir is a see-through container and mostly comes with âMinâ and âMaxâ measurements indicating the minimum and maximum limits. The original power steering fuel color is pink or red. So, if the color has changed to black or dark brown, you may have to replace it immediately. This may occur due to oxidation, mixing of wear materials, and other debris. 6. Windshield Washer FluidThis is the fluid that your vehicle uses to wash the windshield with the wiper. The fluid comprises ingredients that can remove stubborn substances from the windshield. Moreover, it helps maintain the high quality of the wipers. If you use water or the washer fluid is not enough, the wiper can shriek off and damage the windshield glass. Additionally, this fluid keeps the wipers intact and prevents them from wearing out quickly. Besides, you would not want to run out of this fluid in the middle of the road. Therefore, regular checking is necessary. How Often to Check?The frequency of checking your windshield washer fluid depends on the number of times you use it. Generally, you must check it at least once a month to make sure it does not fall short when necessary. Besides, you may need to check it more regularly during the rainy or snow season. You may need to replace the windshield washer fluid around twice a year as your vehicle uses it quite frequently. How to Check?The windshield wash reservoir is usually present at the bottom of the shield. It is a transparent container, so you can determine the fluid level without uncapping. In case the fluid level is less than a quarter empty, refill it immediately. Also, make sure to check this tank for leaks and cracks. Summing UpFrom your vehicle engine to the various car components, fluids hold the utmost significance in ensuring the smooth performance of your vehicle. Besides, a sufficient level of each of these fluids extends the life of your vehicle. If you do not regularly check the oil levels, it may lead to corrosion of components, leakage, and more. Well, you need not worry about such issues as this comprehensive blog provides information about the 6 essential car fluids. Check your vehicle fluids often and replace them when required to ensure flawless functioning of your vehicle for years to come! See Also â Car Overheats When AC is On: Symptoms, Causes and Fix Guide Photos copyright Tim Miller. The post 6 Car Fluids That You Need to Check Regularly appeared first on Auto Trends Magazine. 6 Car Fluids That You Need to Check Regularly published first on https://jacobslowpriceautoglass.tumblr.com/ via Tumblr 6 Car Fluids That You Need to Check Regularly
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AboutI love automotive since from my childhood and I have idealize learning about automotive. I had been working in a automotive industry for years in various capacities from sales, management, consulting and marketing. |