Taking care of your car’s fluids is one of the most important things you can do as a car owner. Over time, innovations in the automotive industry have added new types of fluids to maintain, meaning more maintenance overall. If you want to know how to keep up on your car’s fluids, make sure you keep reading to understand how to take care of your vehicle’s fluids.
All cars need oil, which is perhaps one of the most common types of fluids you should check. Oil lubricates different areas of your engine to keep them running smoothly and avoid overheating. Make sure your engine is cold, and then check your oil levels. Top it off with your recommended oil type from your car manual, and that’s it! Radiator fluid is also easy to check, and it ensures that your car doesn’t overheat while out and about. Always check your radiator fluid after driving, but not while hot or cold.
Don’t forget about your transmission or brake fluids! Transmission fluid allows your transmission to stay lubricated and prevents a whole host of other transmission problems like overheating. Check to see that your transmission fluid levels aren’t low, as well as its quality. It should appear pink or clear and have no burnt smell to it. If it smells burnt or has particles floating around in it, it’s time to change it out. Your hydraulic brake fluid is a similar situation. Without it, you wouldn’t have as much power when braking, nor would your stops be as reactive or quick. This fluid operates under very high temperatures and pressure, which allows your car to stop when you hit the brakes.
You might also find that you want to regularly check your air conditioning coolant levels. Also called Freon, or refrigerant, your air conditioning coolant levels are especially important when the temperature starts to spike in the warmer months. This is quite literally the coolant your air runs through within your air conditioning system, which means that you need to watch out for leaks. A leak could not only cause you to lose cold air but can damage the ozone if left unchecked.
There are many other fluids in your vehicle, but you can’t always check or replace them yourself. When that time comes, give AutoPro Auto Service a call! Whatever your auto repair needs, schedule an appointment with AutoPro Auto Service today to keep your vehicle performing at its best. We are conveniently located at 7901 W. River Road in Brooklyn Park, MN.