Key Method To Check For Fluids In Your Car

Checking Fuel

Why Should You Check For Fluids?

Regular maintenance plays a very important role for smooth running and increased lifespan of a car. If not, you might need to experience various undesirable incidences like breakdown, mechanical damage or accidents.

If you standstill about small budget that you need to spend on maintenance, then it might lead you to spending huge budget if you end up with severe adverse effects caused due to improper maintenance.

Hence, you need to make a regular checks on fluids of your car to enjoy every moment of your drive without any obstacles.

How To Check The Fluids?

To check if all the fluids of your car are at appropriate levels, it might demand you to spend just a few minutes. Follow the following tips one after the other, and make it a regular habit as a process of quick checkup.

During the time of buying your car, you will be offered with a manufacturer’s manual that guides you as to how often you need to make the regular checkups. Ensure to mark the dates on your calendar so that, you will be reminded whenever required.

  • Ensure that your car is resting on a flat surface before you begin the process of checking the fluids in your car. This enables the fluids to rest at flat levels and hence, you can check the level readings accurately.
  • Ensure that your car is cooled down completely. If you just parked the car after a long drive, ensure that you wait for at least one hour before you begin the check.
  • Begin the check with engine oil. Place a clean dipstick inside the fluid, till it touches the surface on which the fluid rests. Note the reading accurately based on the mark on the dipstick.
  • Next step is to check the level of transmission fluid. You need to do this while the engine is running and is fully warmed up, but ensure that the vehicle is not moving. Again, dipstick will be the best tool to check the level.
  • You need not change transmission fluid frequently. Manufacturers recommend you to change it for every 100,000 miles you drive the vehicle.
  • Third step is to check for the level of brake fluid. To know the value of recommended level, you can go through the label that mentions the required value. To check the level, use a plastic reservoir.If you are unable to see, then open the cap and see inside.
  • Generally, brake fluids are not consumed in a short period. If you find that the level is low, then it symbolizes that the brake line or brake surfaces are worn out. Regular check of brake fluids is very important or else, it might lead to brake failure.
  • Fourth step is to check for power steering fluid. The container of the fluid can be easily found. Ensure that the levels are correct by following same method as you did for checking brake fluid.
  • Whenever you are planning to change the power steering fluid, confirm the type of your engine. This is because, different level values are defined for hot and cold engines.
  • As a fifth step, check for coolant. Ensure that you check for this fluid only after the engine has cooled down completely. Else, you might end up in spraying extremely heated water into the air.
  • Manufacturers recommend antifreeze as the best coolant for cars instead of water. Always follow the guidelines mentioned on the antifreeze label.
  • As a sixth step, check for windshield washer fluid. This fluid does not affect the performance of your car. However, it helps you clean the windshield using wipers, while you are driving the car.
  • Whenever you are driving the car in cold weathers, ensure that the wind washer fluid is not frozen. Or else, you might not be able to clean the windshield, though you have sufficient fluid.
  • Last step of checking process is to ensure if the tires have sufficient pressure. If the pressure is higher or lower than the recommended level, you might end up with misbalancing your car while you are driving. Therefore, this check plays a very important role to ensure safety.

What Are The Precautionary Steps While Changing Fluids?

Apart from checking for fluids, you also need to be aware of certain precautions so that the checking process is successful and does not lead to adverse effects.

Though simple, they are very significant precautionary steps that one needs to remember.

  • Ensure that the fluids do not fall off the ground and dispose them properly.
  • Ensure that you are replacing with correct fluid, or else you may end up with damaging your car.
  • Ensure that the fluid does not fall on the car’s paint, or else it might damage the smooth finish and luster. If it happens accidentally, ensure that you clean it immediately and thoroughly.
  • Ensure that the brake fluid is free from moisture or any dirt. Before you open the cover of the brake fluid container, ensure that you clean the surface perfectly to avoid contamination.
  • Ensure that you seal the brake fluid container perfectly or else, moisture might enter into the braking system, leading to the failure of brakes.

Conclusion

Checking for fluids is a very important part of your car maintenance. You can do it self, but be careful that you do it in proper way.

Ensure that you take precautionary steps or else, you might need to face adverse effects that lead to the damage of your car. Expend few minutes to check the fluid levels in your car and enjoy every moment of your smooth running car.