An important part of owning a car is making sure that it is properly maintained. Many car owners spend more time and effort on washing or cleaning their cars than they do performing simple checks that can increase the life of the vehicle and prevent safety issues. Car fluids are vital to the health and safety of your car, but unfortunately they do not last forever. Engine fluids in a car can require changing, topping off or a complete flush. Through usage over time, engine fluids can become depleted or contaminated. Changing fluids in a car can be fairly straightforward, like changing your own oil, but every couple of years, you will want to have your mechanic flush and replace your engine fluids for you. However, checking fluid levels periodically, replenishing when necessary, and being on the lookout for leaks, are simple auto troubleshooting things you can do yourself to keep your engine in good working order, ensure that the car is safe to drive, and potentially save money on costlier repairs. Car fluid levels anyone can check and replenish include oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, transmission fluid, windshield washer, and power steering fluid. Hopefully, you do not have to be told to keep an eye on your fuel level, but people do run out of gas occasionally. So if you want to be a responsible car owner or maybe just save yourself a little money, a quick car fluids check on a regular basis is a good idea.
Car Fluids
Car Fluids are the Life Blood of Your Car Engine
Motor Oil - If you were to ask a mechanic what the one thing is that everyone should do to take care of their car, they would most likely say take care of the engine oil. Motor oil prolongs the life of your car and helps the vechicle run better. It does this by keeping your engine lubricated thereby reducing friction and preventing heat from building up. Learn how to check, buy, and maintain your oil here.
Brake Fluid - Brake fluid travels through your car's brake lines and moves the brake pads against the rotors to stop power at the wheels. Specially designed to hold up under extremely hot temperatures, brake fluid is essential to the safety and well being of your braking system. Very few people actually check their brake fluid level, but more people should as it is very easy to do and can alert you to the need for service before it is too late.
Engine Coolant - Your engine coolant should be clean and mixed correctly in order to ensure optimal engine performance and to prevent your engine from overheating or freezing. Failing to pay attention to your coolant level can mean getting stuck on the side of the road somewhere with steam pouring out from underneath your hood. It only takes a second to check and adding coolant when needed is not overly challenging. Learn how to check your coolant, discover leaks, and add engine coolant when the level is low.
Transmission Fluid - Transmission fluid is another vital car fluid that anyone can learn how to check. Learning how to check and add transmission fluid can help you lengthen the life of your transmission and discover potential problems early. Symptoms of a low transmission fluid level often resemble those of more serious transmission problems so if you feel your transmission slipping you do not automatically have to assume that you are doomed to an expensive transmission repair. Sometimes a few dollars worth of transmission fluid is all you need.
Windshield Washer Fluid - Although many car owners drive around with an empty windshield washer fluid reservoir, there is really no good reason to do that. Windshield washer is very cheap costing around $2 per gallon. Is also very easy to check and add when needed. If you have ever been splashed by a passing vehicle or had bugs splattered on your windshield, you know it can come in handy as well. Learn more than you ever wanted to know about windshield washer fluid here.
Premium Gas vs Regular - When you pull up to the pump, you usually have a choice between three different grades of fuel, distinguished by their octane ratings. Many drivers automatically reach for the highest grade or Super unleaded nozzle, but is that really necessary? Does super unleaded really equate to better performance? Is it worth spending the extra money on higher octane gas? In this article we take a look at octane rating and whether premium gas is worth the added expense.
How to Pump Gas - Don't laugh. My mom didn't know how to pump gas until well into her forties because my dad always just took care of it. I remember being nervous and intimidated filling up the first few times when I was a new driver. I was afraid to ask questions for fear of looking like an idiot. Whether you've never pumped your own gas before or are sick of paying extra for full serve, we've got the basics covered and we offer a few important safety tips as well.
