How to Check Your Vehicle's Fluids

Your vehicle is a complete package of numerous systems and components. Additionally, there are a variety of fluids that your vehicle uses to run smoothly. While it may be difficult for you to keep track of the many components that are on your vehicle, identifying and routinely inspecting the major parts and systems of your vehicle will help you maintain your vehicle. These are some of the most important fluids that are in your vehicle.

 

Engine Oil

Engine oil is a fluid that you need to routinely replace in your vehicle. Oil is not only responsible for keeping the many components of your vehicle's engine properly lubricated, but also keeping your vehicle's engine both cool and clean. As you drive your vehicle, the oil in its engine will begin to age, becoming less effective for its engine over time.

 

Checking the oil level in your vehicle's engine is quick and simple. If your vehicle has a dipstick in its engine, then you can use the dipstick to check the engine's oil level. First, you will need to park your vehicle on a flat surface. Once the vehicle is parked, you can remove the dipstick from its tube. After removing the dipstick, you should see oil on the end of the stick. Wipe the oil off of the dipstick and place it back into its tube. Remove the dipstick from its tube once again and make sure that the oil on the stick is between the "minimum" and "maximum" markings that are labeled on the dipstick.

 

Engine Coolant

Coolant serves two roles in your vehicle's engine. Aside from keeping your vehicle's engine cool, coolant also prevents the engine from freezing when it is cold outside. Coolant is able to both absorb and dissipate heat as it cycles around the cooling system of your vehicle.

 

Engine coolant is located in a reservoir in a vehicle's engine compartment. To check the coolant level of your vehicle's engine, you will need to locate its coolant reservoir and make note of where the coolant is in relation to the "minimum" and "maximum" markings of the reservoir. Make sure that your vehicle's engine has been shut off and has had time to cool down before you adjust any of the parts of its cooling system.

 

Power Steering Fluid

The power steering system of a vehicle makes it much easier for the driver to steer the vehicle. Without power steering, a vehicle can be driven, but it is much harder to turn the wheel of the vehicle. Most power steering systems use power steering fluid to create pressure within the systems. In turn, this pressure amplifies the power of a driver's steering input. 

 

To check the level of the power steering fluid that is in your vehicle's power steering system, you will first need to locate the power steering fluid reservoir. There are several different power steering fluid reservoir designs that are used in vehicles, but the reservoir will be located in the engine compartment of your vehicle. You can refer to your vehicle's owner's manual or visit us at Glockner Family of Dealerships if you are having difficulty with locating the reservoir. Once you have located the power steering fluid reservoir of your vehicle, identify where the power steering fluid is in relation to the "minimum" and "maximum" markings that are on the reservoir.

 

Brake Fluid

The brake systems of most vehicles use hydraulic pressure to provide stopping power. Brake fluid is what allows hydraulic pressure to be built up in a vehicle's braking system. When a driver presses the brake pedal of their vehicle, the pressure in the vehicle's brake system allows the brake pads to apply enough pressure to the vehicle's brake rotors to stop the vehicle.

 

The brake fluid of your vehicle is located in its own reservoir, which is most likely located in the engine compartment of your vehicle. Once you have identified the brake fluid reservoir of your vehicle, make sure that the fluid in the container is between the "minimum" and "maximum" markings that are on the reservoir. Additionally, pay attention to the color of the brake fluid in the reservoir and make sure that it is not cloudy or contaminated.

 

Visit the Glockner Family of Dealerships

A maintenance routine will help you keep your vehicle running in its best condition. Routinely check the fluid levels of your vehicle so that you can quickly identify any leaks or issues that your vehicle may be having. Visit us at Glockner Family of Dealerships if you would like assistance with maintaining your vehicle. Your vehicle will receive products and services that you can depend on at our dealership. Additionally, we will gladly provide you with more information that will help you remain on the road safely.