Most drivers don’t give much thought to their car fluids except for its oil levels and for the tires, the check comes only if they come across a visible physical damage or tear in its tread. You must know that your car has other fluids than just the oil running along powering the engine and that the tire pressure eventually decreases over time. More often, we end up checking or paying attention to the other fluids and tire pressure after there has been a breakdown or another major problem that has sprouted. Keep your car healthy to guarantee its long life, and for that, you must maintain the habit to attend to regular car maintenance checks and changes required.
Five Essential Car Fluids
Mostly familiar with the motor oil and its change requirements, you need to take note of the other fluids that contribute to the smooth functioning of your car. You know when to change car oil, but there are other essential fluids like the coolant, transmission fluids, brake fluids, etc. that need proper inspection as well.
Inspect the following five fluids regularly and keep your car running smoothly at all times.
- Transmission Fluid When to check the fluid – Check your transmission fluid every time you go for an oil change, or you can use a dipstick to inspect the transmission oil manually.When to replace the fluid – This fluid is liable for keeping your vehicle’s gear running. Schedule the transmission fluid simultaneously each time with your car’s oil check. It is recommended to replace the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles and for some vehicles w.r.t. their heavy work sometimes changing the fluid every 15,000 miles is advisable.
- Windshield Wiper Fluid When to check the fluid – Inspect for the windshield wiper fluid at every service checks and at least once every two months. When to replace the fluid – This fluid is an essential solution that keeps your windshield wiper functioning properly. The windshield wiper fluid is not primarily vital but crucial for the windshield to remain visibly clear enough for the driver to see through, thus preventing any accidents. You might need to replace the fluid with the change of seasons, at every five to six month interval.
- Power Steering Fluid When to check the fluid – You must inspect your vehicle’s power steering fluid levels once every month. To inspect the fluid mechanically, pop up the vehicle’s hood and look for the reservoir.When to replace the fluid – The power steering fluid functions to keep the steering steady and smooth. With not a frequent need to change/replace the fluid, you might need to check for the requirement as mentioned in your owner’s manual.
- Coolant When to check the fluid – You must check your coolant level on a seasonal basis, once at least every five to six months, to ensure that your car ac is blowing cold air. When to replace the fluid – The coolant functions to keep the vehicle’s engine temperature optimised, and prevents it from getting too hot or too cold with the varying extreme weather conditions on the outside. Like the transmission oil, the coolant level should not be lower than their recommended levels, at any point of your drive. You might need to replace your coolant in every two to three years interval.
- Brake Fluid When to check the fluid – You must check your brake fluids at every instance of an oil change or at least once a year mandatorily. You might need to replace it if you see its colour changing from golden to brown and as a rule every two years. When to replace the fluid – The brake fluids function to transfer the force into pressure and amplify the braking force. Similar to the transmission oil, this is a part of the closed system and should not be running low at any point. You might need to replace the fluid at every two years interval.
Changing Engine Oil Can Make a Lot of Difference
Always practice good safety behaviors when working on motor vehicles. To help prevent injuries, use appropriate personal protective equipment, which may include safety gloves, goggles, helmets and shoes.
CEO at Euro Team Performance