6 Essential Car Fluids and How to Check Them

You know that regular maintenance is crucial to the health of your vehicle as you drive around in Macon and Perry. A big part of your maintenance appointments involves checking and refilling essential car fluids that keep you on the move. Especially now that newer cars don’t require maintenance as frequently, you should know how to easily check essential fluids in your car. You should take a look once a month to make sure everything is full and the fluids are clean. These are the six essential car fluids:

• Engine oil
• Brake fluid
• Engine coolant
• Transmission fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Windshield wiper fluid

The Warner Robins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT service department has everything you need to know about essential car fluids. 

How to Check Essential Fluids in Your Car

Note: before checking the level of any essential car fluids, wait until the engine has had time to cool for at least 30 minutes before opening the hood!

Motor Oil

• Purpose of motor oil: Regulates engine temperature and prevents engine damage caused by friction.
• When to change motor oil: Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, or every six months. Check your owner’s manual for specifics.
• How to check motor oil: Find the dipstick underneath the hood. Insert it into the oil reservoir, and see if the oil level is in the specified range on the dipstick. Check oil consistency and look for debris. 

Brake Fluid

• Purpose of brake fluid: Transfers movement and force from the brake pedal to the braking system.
• How often to replace brake fluid: Every 30,000 miles, or two years. 
• How to check brake fluid: The fluid level should reach the marking on the side of the clear brake fluid reservoir underneath your car’s hood.

Engine Coolant

• Purpose of engine coolant: Optimizes temperature in your vehicle’s cooling system and engine.
• When to replace engine coolant: Every 50,000 miles.
• How to check engine coolant: The fluid level should reach the mark on the side of the engine coolant reservoir underneath your car’s hood.

Transmission Fluid

• Purpose of transmission fluid: Ensures fast and smooth gear shifts.
• How often to replace transmission fluid: Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
• How to check transmission fluid: Make sure you have a transmission that’s designed to open. If you have a sealed transmission you won’t be able to check the fluid yourself. You’ll need to schedule an appointment with our service center. If your transmission isn’t sealed, remove and re-insert the transmission fluid dipstick into the reservoir. Pull it out and note the level of fluid. Check that the color of the fluid is a translucent dark red color. 

Power Steering Fluid

• Purpose of power steering fluid: Ensures proper function of the power steering hydraulic system, which multiplies the force you exert on your steering wheel.
• When to replace power steering fluid: As needed, when your vehicle is difficult to steer or the power steering system needs frequent service.
• How to check power steering fluid: Find the reservoir under your car’s hood marked with a steering wheel or the words “power steering fluid.” Make sure the fluid reaches the marked level.

Windshield Wiper Fluid

• Purpose of windshield wiper fluid: Increases efficacy of your windshield wipers for clearer glass.
• When to replace windshield wiper fluid: As needed, when no fluid comes out of the sprayers on your windshield.
• How to check windshield wiper fluid: Open the hood and find the reservoir with a windshield washer symbol on the cap.

Save on Automotive Service with Warner Robins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT

Knowing when to check car fluids and how to refill them can prevent costly and time-consuming repairs. If you’d like to keep the savings coming, check out our service tips for more simple DIY maintenance jobs you can do in your Bonaire garage. And when it’s time for maintenance in Warner Robins, check our money-saving specials.