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Fluids To Check In Your Car

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Man Checking On Engine Oil

As you begin to perform routine maintenance on your vehicle this spring, add fluid checks to your list. There are six essential fluids that keep your car moving, lubricated, and safe for travel.

Fluids To Check

There are six main fluids that you want to keep an eye on in you car. They include:

  • Engine oil: The oil in your engine keeps your engine’s moving parts lubricated.
  • Coolant: This fluid helps to remove excess heat from your vehicle’s radiator.
  • Brake fluid: Braking fluid enables your vehicle to stop when you press the brake pedal.
  • Power steering fluid: This fluid allows you to turn the steering wheel with ease.
  • Transmission fluid: This type of fluid lubricates the components within your transmission.
  • Windshield washer fluid: This fluid helps clear any debris or bugs that get caught on your windshield while driving.

How To Change Fluids

All the above fluids are vital for your car to function properly – utilize our guide below to keep your fluids maintained at a healthy level.

How To Change Engine Oil

Step 1: Park vehicle in a level area, engage the parking brake, turn off the vehicle, and raise it with a jack stand, ramp, or a car jack.

Step 2: Open the hood, remove the dipstick, and crawl under the vehicle to locate the engine’s oil pan.

Step 3: Place an approved oil catch pan directly under the plug for the pan, and remove the bolts. This will take several minutes to completely drain. After it has finished, reinstall the bolts to secure the plug.

Step 4: Locate the oil filter, and remove this while also providing a pan to catch any excess oil that may be caught by the filter. You should also check that the filter gasket has come off with the filter – it if has not, remove it and clean remaining oil residue.

Step 5: Lightly coat a new oil filter with oil and place into your system by turning in a clockwise direction. Consult your owner’s manual for more instructions on your specific filter replacement details.

Step 6: Under the hood of your vehicle, remove the oil fill cap and use a funnel to pour in the right amount of oil into your vehicle. Don’t forget to securely replace the cap afterword.

Step 7: Run the vehicle for thirty seconds to ensure that nothing leaks before shutting off your vehicle and lowering it back down.

How To Put Brake Fluid In Car

Step 1: Park on a level service and clean any excess debris off the brake fluid cap.

Step 2: Use a small funnel to fill your brake fluid between to the low and full marks in your reservoir.

Step 3: Test drive your vehicle to ensure everything is working properly.

How To Put Transmission Fluid in a Car

Step 1: Park on a level surface, keep the engine running, and pop the hood.

Step 2: Locate the automatic transmission fluid pipe (consult your owner’s manual if this is not clearly marked on your vehicle) and pull out the transmission fluid dipstick.

Step 3: To verify if new fluid is needed examine the color and scent of the fluid on the stick. If the coloring is off or smells burnt you’ll want to add more fluid.

Step 4: Add fluid a little at a time utilizing a funnel. Periodicaly use the dipstick to ensure you have not overfilled your pan.

Step 5: To test that the fluid is working, shift your vehicle between gears to move the fluid between each gear.

Step 6: Repeat steps 4 & 5 until the proper amount of transmission fluid is added.

How To Put Power Steering Fluid In a Car

Step 1: Locate the reservoir cylinder for power steering fluid. Refer to your vehicle manual to locate this. Check the fluid level markings to see if the level is between the min and max markings.

Step 3: Examine the color of the fluid to make sure it is translucent, amber or pink. (Please consult a mechanic if it is brown or black.)

Step 4: Pour power steering fluid to the appropriate fill level in your vehicle, being careful to not overfill!

Step 5: Turn on your vehicle and test that you can move your wheel with ease.

How to Add Windshield Washer Fluid

Step 1: Locate the windshield wiper fluid reservoir in your vehicle, referring to the manual to locate it.

Step 2: Open the cap and fill to the appropriate level according to the markers.

Step 3: Turn on your vehicle and test that the fluid by spraying fluid onto your windshield.

Categories: Auto Repair 101 | View Count: (40) | Return

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