6 Essential Car Fluids to Routinely Check

Are you the proud owner of a new car? With their continuous development, vehicles today are more efficient and reliable. However, it doesn’t mean that they don’t need check-ups. Regular maintenance keeps your automobile working, and your fluids need the most care.

Vehicle fluids help your car with fuel efficiency, functionality, and longevity. If you don’t maintain fluid levels, the car mileage, power, and resale value can decline. Furthermore, you can experience frequent breakdowns and high repair bills. To prevent these problems, you must get your vehicle fluids checked. Read on to discover the different fluids to check in your car.

1. Engine Oil

Do you often hear strange noises, smell burning oil, or feel the engine overheating? These are signs that your engine oil is running low. When you fail to change a car’s oil, the sludge builds up, and your vehicle performance declines.

If you look inside your engine, you can see different spinning components. The engine oil lubricates these parts to reduce friction and keep them moving in unison. Get an oil change with car repair and maintenance services to prevent deterioration. You can change a car’s oil every three months or every 3,000 miles. Bear in mind that putting problems aside can result in car depreciation.

When checking vehicle fluids, use a dipstick, cool the engine, and park your vehicle on a level surface. To start, pull the oil dipstick out of the engine and wipe it clean. Next, put it back into the reservoir. Then, after a few seconds, pull it out again. You can check the level indicator on the dipstick to check the oil level. If the oil mark is near the minimum level, it’s time for a refill.

2. Engine Coolant

Lexington experiences an average temperature of 80°F and above during summer. Long drives in the summer can cause your engine to overheat. Moreover, the internal combustion engine adds more heat as it produces power.

When the engine overheats, the cylinder warps, expands, and cracks, destroying the engine. To keep the system from heating, manufacturers use a coolant. The antifreeze fluids keep the engine cool in the summer and prevent it from freezing in the winter.

To know if the engine is overheating, the warning light on your dashboard goes off. If you’re driving and it illuminates, pull over immediately and turn off the engine. Let the engine cool down before checking the coolant to prevent injuries.

Use the car fluid symbols under the hood to find the coolant. Open the radiator cap to check the fluid level and add anti-freeze if needed. To prevent emptying the coolant reservoir, check it every 50,000 miles.

Related: The Ultimate Summer Car Maintenance Checklist 

3. Power Steering Fluid

Most vehicles on the market today are upgraded to hydraulic power steering systems. This makes maneuvering a lot easier for drivers. However, you may find yourself using more effort on the steering wheel if your system runs out of fluid.

The power steering fluid drives the steering by transmitting power in the system — making it one of the most important fluids to check in your car. If you find your steering hard to turn and heavy, it means you’re low on fluid. When checking the power steering fluid, follow the same procedures for the engine oil. You only need to open the reservoir dedicated to the power steering. Then, pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, put it back, and pull it out, again.

You can also visit your local car repair and maintenance shop. With them, you can guarantee to receive professional help on vehicle issues.

4. Brake Fluid

The most vital safety system in a vehicle is the brakes, but how do they work? When you step on the brakes, you activate the brake plunger. With the pressure, the brake fluid comes out of the reservoir in the lines, slowing down the car.

When the fluid fluctuates or the system leaks, the brake performance can decline. If this happens, bring your car to the nearest automotive shop. You can ask for their regular maintenance services or fill your brake reservoir. If you suspect a low brake fluid, you can check its level under the hood. The fluid level must be near the top level and must appear in an amber color.

5. Transmission Fluid

When shifting gears, the transition must be smooth. This is a result of enough transmission fluids lubricating the essential transmission components. If gears slip, or if you struggle to accelerate or shift gears, take it as a sign of low fluid.

A myth about transmissions coming with lifetime fluid continues to circulate. However, there’s no truth in this claim, as there comes a time when you need to replace it. Even new cars must change their transmission fluid if they hit 100,000 miles.

With this, it’s best to check the transmission fluid on a regular basis. For an accurate measurement, park your vehicle and keep the engine running. You can follow the same procedure for checking the engine oil for transmission fluid. However, some cars need a mechanic to check them. For inspection, you can reach out to Lexington M&L.

6. Windshield Wiper Fluid

Bird droppings, dry dust, and other sources of dirt can block your view when driving. To keep a clear windshield, you need enough windshield wiper fluid in your reservoir.

The times you inspect the fluid level depends on how often you use the wiper fluid. If you turn on the wipers a lot, you must check it more often, too. But how do you check fluids in car windshields? Under the hood, you can find the reservoir for the wiper fluid. Remove the cap, see the fluid level, and add if necessary. For specific instructions and amounts, turn to your manual.

Ensure Your Vehicle Is Running Smoothly With Lexington M&L

These are the different essential fluids to check in your car. They are essential in a car as they keep the systems and components working. Checking and filling them ensures efficiency, longevity, and safety.

Have car problems? For reliable and quality automotive services, look no further than Lexington M&L. Our experienced technicians can and will make sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape! Use the button below or visit our website to schedule a service appointment!