5 Fluids in Your Car You Need to Keep Your Eye On

Posted by Motorama in Servicing Tips

Whether you're sitting at a work desk for most of the day or running around getting constant exercise, it's important to keep your body well hydrated to keep it functioning at its best.

The very same principle applies to your four-wheeled friend in the garage. All cars have a very important set of fluids that cater for various parts of the vehicle to make sure it runs as smoothly as possible.

Luckily, checking fluid levels is one of those maintenance tasks you don't have to enlist the services of a professional mechanic for. Maintaining a car's fluids is something anyone can do from the convenience of their own garage, with products that can be easily purchased at any good car service centre. So pull your car outside on a nice sunny day, pop up that hood and make sure these five essential fluids are at the level they should be.

1. Engine oil

Most people are aware of the process of checking engine oil as it's so straightforward. Let your car cool down for a bit before opening the hood so you get an accurate measurement, and pull the dipstick out of the reservoir. Wipe it clean on a cloth, then reinsert it and pull it back out to get the reading. It should lie somewhere between the clear markings on the dipstick.

It's also important to check the colour and consistency of the oil too, and make sure it is a clear, golden colour instead of a dark, thick sludge.

2. Brake fluid

If your car's brake fluids are dropping, it might be a sign that there is a leak somewhere in the reservoir, and it'd be a good idea to get it checked out.

3. Transmission fluid

You'll find a corresponding dipstick for the transmission fluid, which you simply pop out to read the level. The only difference is that you should check the measurement while the engine is warmed up and running, and clean transmission fluid is usually red in colour.

4. Coolant

Check your car's manual to find out exactly what sort of mixture is required in the coolant - antifreeze is usually used to top up the reservoir to its required level.

5. Windscreen wiper fluid

These products prevent streaks and glare when the liquid dries. It can be quite hard driving into the sun with streaks making seeing the road even harder!

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