subject: Getting Fluid Checks On A Regular Basis [print this page] When you think about the vehicle you are driving, the things that might pop in to your head about it include the suspension system, how the brakes stop on a dime and even when the engine roars to life. But there are a lot of other smaller things to consider when it comes down to having your vehicle run right or not run at all. The fluids! Without adequate fluids in all of the appropriate places in your car, you will not have a running engine to get anywhere. That is why it is important to have regular fluids checks on your vehicle every few months.
Types of Fluids to Check
Do you even know all of the main fluids that run through your car? There is the oil, which is probably the most common fluid you think of besides the gas that runs the engine. Then there is the windshield wiper fluid that keeps the windshield clean and free of bugs. Some of the other fluids that are still important but less talked about include the antifreeze, which is also called the coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid and transmission fluid. Can you tell just by their names that they are pretty important? Depending on the vehicle you have, there might even be more fluids to check, such as if you had a special suspension system for four wheel drive vehicles or a hybrid engine. The owner's manual will describe any and all of the fluid types in your vehicle and how often you should have them checked and changed to run safely.
How Often to Check
There is a little bit of wiggle room when it comes to checking out the fluids and when to have new fluids added. When you have a maintenance check or are getting the oil changed is when you should have the other fluids checked too. Obviously the oil will be handled, but it only takes a few minutes for the technician to go through and grab samples of the other fluids in the car. If the levels are low, then they can add more. If the fluid looks dirty, then it might be time for a flush and to get some new fluid in its place. Transmission fluid gets dirty and is recommended to be changed after 100,000 miles or so, depending on the make and model of car you drive. Brake fluid can also seep out, which could cause the brakes to fail. Have the technician check when they are looking at your brakes or rotating the tires.
What Happens When Fluids Run Low
This is something that you really don't want to find out on your own. Hearing other people's horror stories should be good enough and make you want to NOT know what happens to your own car. The truth is, you might not even know you are completely out of a fluid until it is too late. The windshield wiper fluid will have a sensor to detect when it is low and alert you on the dashboard. However, there isn't a sensor in most vehicles when the power steering fluid or the brake fluid has seeped out.
