Car Maintenance - Fluids

Just like you, your car needs fluids to stay in good health and to operate properly

. Luckily, keeping your car's fluid levels at the right levels is an easy job, which you can do yourself.

To check your oil take your car for a short drive then let the car sit for 5 minutes to let the oil settle. Open the bonnet, locate the oil dipstick and pull it out, wipe it with a rag and replace it. Pull it out once more and check that the oil level is between the 2 score marks on the dipstick. If it is low, add new oil in small amounts, pausing and waiting 2 minutes for the oil to settle before re-checking the oil level.

On an automatic car, check the transmission fluid levels by switching your car engine on. Remove any loose clothing, ties or necklaces, and pull the transmission dipstick out to check the level. Loose clothing can easily become entangled in a moving engine part, which is why you must remove them first. If you need to top up the fluid; if the fluid is black, drain all of it and replace it. For a manual car, the engine needs to be turned off. Usually, you have to get under the car to remove the transmission plug, when you have done so place your finger in the hole. If your feel fluid and it is not black then just replace the plug. If it is dry then you need to add transmission fluid, if the tip of your finger is black you need to replace all of the transmission fluid.

To check your radiator fluid take the cap off and look down into the radiator and check that the radiator fluid is near the top. If it is not top it up with a 50/50 mix of water and coolant or anti-freeze.

To check your brake fluid levels locate the reservoir using your car's manual; it is usually in the engine compartment. The reservoir should be at least two-thirds full, if it is not top it up to that level. If you find the brake fluid level keeps dropping take your car to a garage immediately to get your brakes fixed and avoid an accident.

Regularly check that you have enough windscreen washer fluid in both the front and back reservoirs. Sometimes the reservoir in the engine compartment supplies both the front and back washers.

by: Jonathan Sharden

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