For many people their car is like a child to them, and much like a child, you need to protect and look after your vehicle. It needs some tender love and care and attention from time to time. Regular vehicle maintenance is key to keeping your Phoenix car, truck, or SUV on the road and functioning as it should. Your vehicle’s fluids are a main component of ensuring all parts of the vehicle work as intended, so regularly checking them is essential. Have you checked your car’s fluids recently?
Have you Checked your Car’s Fluids Recently?
To keep your car, truck, or SUV on the road, the vehicle’s fluids are an important part of its operation and should be checked on a regular basis. Different parts of your vehicle need to be checked and maintained at varying times throughout the life of the car, and this can also depend on your driving habits. We recommend inspecting your vehicle’s fluids once each month to confirm the fluids are clean, at sufficient levels, and to ensure there are no signs of leaks.
Checking your vehicle’s fluids should be rather easy and is something that most people can do at home on their own; however, if you notice something strange while inspecting the fluids or have some that seem to run out much faster than they should, you can visit a local Phoenix auto repair shop to help you identify what may be causing the problem.
Have you checked your car’s fluids recently and which ones should you be checking? Below we review the most important fluids for your vehicle and those that should be inspected on a regular basis.
- Engine Oil: Proactively checking and changing a vehicle’s oil and filter helps the engine continue to work at its best and helps to prevent engine repairs. How often you should have an oil change depends on your vehicle and your driving habits; however, oil changes are an essential part of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and your oil should be checked regularly. Check your owner’s manual to know when it is recommended for you to have an oil change on your specific car or truck and you should follow that schedule. If your oil is dirty or low, you may need an oil change sooner than anticipated.
- Transmission Fluid: Your transmission relies on transmission fluid to lubricate the moving parts inside your transmission. By regularly checking your transmission fluid, you should be able to identify if it needs replaced or if there are issues looming. This slippery liquid is optimized for the special requirements of your vehicle, such as valve operation, brake band friction, torque converter, and gear lubrication. How often you should change your transmission fluid, like the oil, depends on the vehicle and how you drive and use your car, truck, or SUV.
- Engine Coolant: When it comes to you checking your car’s fluids, one that is often overlooked is the coolant or antifreeze. The cooling system in an engine helps it to maintain its internal temperatures and transfer excessive heat out of the engine. The cooling system uses coolant to keep the engine cool in the warmer months and to prevent it from freezing in the colder months. If the coolant in your vehicle gets low, the car may overheat, which will damage the engine and could cause other issues.
- Brake Fluid: Brake fluid allows the hydraulics in your vehicle’s braking system to perform effectively. Low or soiled brake fluid can lead to poor stopping performance and potentially dangerous situations. It’s very important to keep brake fluid levels adequate. Check your brake fluid immediately if your brake pedal feels mushier than usual, or if you experience a decrease in stopping action.
- Power Steering Fluid: Power steering fluid lubricates your vehicle’s power steering system, providing smooth operation and allowing you to easily turn and drive your car, truck, or SUV. If you are low on power steering fluid, the vehicle’s steering wheel will have a tendency to vibrate and shift, and will be hard to turn, this can create a ton of issues for your car’s handling.
- Windshield Washer Fluid: Windshield washer fluid is more important than most drivers realize, as without it, you may have your vision obscured and not be able to see. How often you need to check your windshield washer fluid depends on how frequently you use your windshield wipers and the spray. Don’t just wait to run out of the fluid as a reminder that it needs refilled. You should always ensure you have adequate amounts of washer fluid, especially when you prepare your vehicle for a road trip.
Have you checked your car’s fluids recently? If you haven’t, you are not alone. We see a lot of people that come into our shop with vehicle problems that are caused by low, dirty, or leaking fluids. Staying on top of these fluids is rather easy, so if you haven’t given them a look in a while use this article as a reminder that you need to.
At Advanced Transmissions & Emissions we can help with all of your Phoenix vehicle needs, including checking your fluids to ensure your vehicle stays in good working condition.
For your automotive needs in Phoenix, AZ, visit us or fill out our online form for service today.
