The 5 Fluids Your Car Needs to Keep Going

April 17, 2018

We all know that changing your oil improves the performance of your car.  What you might not know is what other fluids help make your car work well, and what needs to be done to maintain them.  You rely on your mechanic to check these fluids during inspections, but do you know what the mechanic is talking about when they mention these fluids?  Here are the fluids that keep your car on the road.

1. Engine Oil
Obviously, your vehicle needs engine oil.  We have it drilled into our heads far before we are motor vehicle operators that changing the oil in our car’s engine is important. Check your oil level once a month, and unless there is an issue, you should rely on your vehicle’s owner’s manual to tell you how often you should change your oil.

2. Transmission Fluid
“You know what really grinds my gears?” Hopefully, nothing, because you have plenty of clean transmission fluid to keep them lubricated! It’s not about quantity when it comes to this fluid; it’s about the quality and cleanliness of the oil.  Check it monthly, and if it is brown or smells burnt, it is time to change it. Again, refer to your owner’s manual for specific details, but on average, you’ll want to replace it every 30,000 – 60,000 miles.

3. Engine Coolant
Antifreeze keeps your car from overheating, so if it gets low, your car runs the risk of overheating.  The coolant is in your radiator, and you check it by removing the radiator cap. There is a line that shows how high the coolant should be. If it is low, you will want to add some more.  Make sure it’s the same brand as the brand that is already in place.  Normally you should replace antifreeze every 2-3 years.

4. Brake Fluid
Going fast is fun.  So is stopping. Clean brake fluid is a must and if you ever feel your brakes are a little “off,” check the brake fluid.  There is a brake fluid reservoir on the driver side of your car, and you can usually do a visual check from the outside to see the level of the fluid.

5. Power Steering Fluid
Anyone who has ever driven a car that didn’t have power steering can attest to the fact that it feels like you might as well be Fred Flintstone trying to steer a car with stone wheels.  And when your power steering fluid goes out, your car is right back to the Stone Ages!  You should check your power steering fluid once a month just in case, but for the most part, you shouldn’t have to flush or replace the fluid very often if you keep it topped off.

Rad Air would be more than happy to check all your fluids to make sure that your car is running efficiently.  Schedule a checkup with us today, and we’ll make sure that your vehicle is operating smoothly for years to come!