One of the most important aspects of car maintenance is keeping tabs on fluid levels. To keep your vehicle in prime running condition there are six to eight different types of fluids you need to keep track of. Some fluids are more important than others, such as engine oil vs. windshield wiper fluid, but most can be easily checked and replaced by the average person. Learning to check fluids yourself can mean fewer trips to the mechanic.
Engine Oil
Aside from fuel, the oil that lubricates your engine is one of the most important fluids in your car or truck. Components in your engine turn some thousands of times per minute, and the oil keeps everything lubricated so that your engine operates smoothly. Your engine oil has two access points in the dipstick and the engine oil cap. When you check your oil, you’ll be using the dipstick and not the cap. It’s best to check your oil when your engine is cold or has been turned off for at least 10 minutes.
Pull the dipstick up and use a rag to wipe it clean. Stick it back in and pull it out again. The dipstick will be marked with indicators for the maximum fill amount and a minimum; the wording can vary by vehicle. Your oil level should be at the maximum level or very close to it.
If it’s at the minimum or below, then you need to add oil immediately by first removing the engine oil cap. A minimum or less reading may also mean that your engine is leaking or burning oil. Take note of the oil color as well as its level. If it’s amber or lighter, then it’s good. If it’s very dark brown or black, then your oil needs to be changed.
Transmission Fluid
The fluid that lubricates your transmission is generally only easy to check for the average person if that transmission is an automatic. Most manual-transmission vehicles do not have dipsticks. If you have a manual transmission, you should have the fluid checked by a mechanic when you get an oil change as the checking area is beneath the vehicle in most cases.
However, if you have an automatic transmission, then you can and should check the fluid level. Like your engine, automatic transmissions have many moving parts, and it’s the fluid that keeps it all running smoothly. If your transmission is having issues, one of the first things to check is the fluid. Unlike checking engine oil, your car needs to be on and the transmission needs to be either in park or neutral.
Find the appropriately marked dipstick and pull it out. The color should be amber or red and it should feel smooth to the touch. If it’s dark or feels gritty, then it needs to be replaced. Add transmission fluid through the fill tube and verify the level on the dipstick.
Then, get into your vehicle and move the gear selector while keeping your foot on the brake. This moves the fluid through the system. If your transmission continues to have issues, then you’ll want to get it checked out by a professional.
Power Steering Fluid
Power steering fluid within a pressurized system allows you to easily turn your vehicle. If you’ve ever driven an old vehicle before power steering became common, you know how difficult and heavy it is to steer without it. If your power steering suddenly goes out, one of the reasons could be that you’re low on fluid. Like the previously mentioned fluids, checking power steering fluid happens by way of a dipstick.
On most vehicles, the power steering reservoir is beneath the hood on the passenger side. Many vehicles have a relatively see-through container, so you won’t necessarily have to remove the cap to check it. If you do need to check the fluid, make sure that the area around the cap is clean before removing it.
Remove the dipstick and check the markings to find out the fluid level. If it’s low, then add more. Make sure you’re using the right type of fluid for your vehicle or it could damage the system. If you find the fluid level is constantly low, then it’s likely that you have a leak. Power steering leaks can be fixed fairly easily by adding a stop-leak product.
Brake Fluid
Modern brake systems are pressurized through the use of fluid, which is similar to the power-steering system. When you step on the brake pedal, the fluid moves through the lines and makes the brake pads grip your rotor. This process is instantaneous, and if it ever feels strange or delayed, then your brake-fluid level may be the problem.
The brake-fluid reservoir should be in the engine bay, and you can check it via a dipstick. Like all other fluids, it should be over the minimum level. If it’s not, then you need to add more. Make sure that the fluid type is compatible with your vehicle. Brake fluid should also appear translucent, so if it’s dark or cloudy, then it needs to be replaced.
Coolant
Your engine generates a lot of heat during normal operation, and the coolant is what keeps things from overheating. The coolant is also in a pressurized system, and it circulates in your engine via the water pump. Hot coolant flows out of your engine to cool down in the radiator, and fresh coolant takes its place. In order for this to happen smoothly, your coolant level needs to be full.
Never check coolant on a hot engine as it can spray out and burn you. You have two places for coolant. One is the overflow reservoir where the cool coolant returns to be recirculated, and the other is the radiator where the hot coolant goes to cool down. Both reservoirs should be full.
Make sure that when you add new coolant, it’s the same type as what’s in your vehicle. If you add coolant directly to your radiator, wait for a few minutes before replacing the cap in order to let the radiator release any trapped air bubbles.
Coolant should be completely flushed and replaced roughly every 50,000 miles, or as indicated by your manufacturer. You can test the coolant every 50,000 miles to make sure that it hasn’t become acidic. Draining and flushing old coolant is somewhat complex, so you may want to have it done at a shop.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
Of all the fluids mentioned so far, windshield wiper fluid has the least effect on your vehicle’s performance. However, a dirty and smeared windshield can definitely have an effect on safe driving. It’s simple to check and replace your windshield wiper fluid. Your first sign that it’s gone is often trying to use it and having nothing come out.
Find the reservoir under the hood, which is usually fairly large on most vehicles. If it’s low or empty, fill the reservoir up with windshield wiper fluid, which is easy to find at auto parts stores and even many grocery stores.
Air Conditioning
This is only applicable if you have an air conditioning unit in your vehicle. The fluid here is usually called refrigerant. In order to check this, you’ll need an AC gauge and thermometer, which you can get from an auto parts store. Attach the gauges to the appropriate air conditioning service ports, and then start the engine and switch to max AC. If you have recirculation control, turn that on as well.
Put the thermometer in the central vent on your dash. Wait for everything to stabilize, then look at the gauge. A normal reading for the low pressure is between 25 and 45 psi while a normal reading for the high pressure is between 250 and 400 psi. If your readings are lower, then you likely need more refrigerant. You can either take it to a mechanic to get it charged or buy a charging system and do it yourself.
Transfer Case Fluid
This is another fluid that depends on your vehicle. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, then you have a transfer case that switches your drivetrain between two wheels and four wheels. In order to check this fluid, you need to get under the vehicle. Using a flashlight, locate the transfer case and the oil fill plug. Remove the top plug and look for oil.
A full oil level should show up just beneath the top hole. If you need to change the fluid, simply remove the bottom plug to drain it into a pan. Replace the bottom plug, and then fill it with the appropriate transfer case fluid for your vehicle until it starts coming out the top hole. Replace the top plug into the hole.
Checking most fluids on your vehicle is generally easy and should be done regularly in order to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
