Six Essential Car Fluids and How to Check Them

Your vehicle needs essential car fluids to continue performing at its best around Conway. That’s why it’s important to know how to check essential fluids in your car and when to check car fluids. Whether you don’t know or you need a reminder, you should be aware of these six fluids: 

• Engine oil
• Brake fluid
• Engine coolant
• Transmission fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Windshield wiper fluid

Let’s go over the inspections for these essential car fluids below!

How to Check Essential Fluids in Your Car

You should check these vehicle fluids on a daily basis and replace them as needed or at intervals recommended by the car manufacturer. Please note that before inspecting the level of an essential car fluid–with the exception of transmission fluid, you should wait until the engine has had time to cool for at least 30 minutes before opening the hood! Take a look at how to check essential fluids in your car and when to check car fluids here:

Motor Oil

• Purpose of motor oil: Prevents friction between engine parts and regulates engine temperature.
• When to change motor oil: Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or every six months.
• How to check motor oil: Find the dipstick underneath the hood. Insert it into the oil reservoir and check the level and consistency of the oil.

Brake Fluid

• Purpose of brake fluid: Transfers movement and force from the brake pedal to the braking system.
• How often to replace brake fluid: Every 30,000 miles or two years. 
• How to check brake fluid: The fluid level should reach the marking on the side of the clear brake fluid reservoir underneath your car’s hood.

Engine Coolant

• Purpose of engine coolant: Optimizes temperature in your vehicle’s cooling system and engine.
• When to replace engine coolant: Every 50,000 miles.
• How to check engine coolant: The fluid level should reach the marking on the side of the engine coolant reservoir underneath your car’s hood.

Transmission Fluid

• Purpose of transmission fluid: Ensures fast and smooth gear shifts.
• How often to replace transmission fluid (for cars with automatic transmission): Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
• How to check transmission fluid (for cars with automatic transmission): Remove and re-insert the transmission fluid dipstick into the reservoir. Pull it out and observe the level of fluid. Check that the color of the fluid is a translucent dark red color. If you have a sealed transmission, you’ll need to bring your car to a service center near North Myrtle Beach or Surfside Beach.

Power Steering Fluid

• Purpose of power steering fluid: Ensures proper function of the power steering hydraulic system, which multiplies the force you exert on your steering wheel.
• When to replace power steering fluid: As needed, when your vehicle is difficult to steer or the power steering system needs frequent service.
• How to check power steering fluid: Found the reservoir under your car’s hood marked with a sterling wheel or the words ‘power steering fluid’ or it might be a steering wheel symbol. Make sure the fluid reaches the marked level.

Windshield Wiper Fluid

• Purpose of windshield wiper fluid: Increases efficacy of your windshield wipers for clearer glass.
• When to replace windshield wiper fluid: As needed, when no fluid comes out of the sprayers on your windshield.
• How to check windshield wiper fluid: Open the hood and find the reservoir with a windshield washer symbol on the cap.

Learn More About Car Upkeep with Myrtle Beach Chrysler Jeep

Now that you know how and when to check car fluids, learn more about vehicle maintenance from our Myrtle Beach dealership, including ten maintenance tasks that you should know about and an annual maintenance checklist.