MENUMany car owners think of their cars as huge chunks of metal with moving gears and parts. While this is true to an extent, without any sort of fluid or lubrication to move these parts along your engine would blow! Here is list of the 6 essential fluids your vehicle needs to say running strong:
Transmission Fluid
Your engine might get all the glory and attention, but without your transmission your wheels wouldn’t be able to move at all. And without your transmission fluid, your transmission wouldn’t be able to shift gears for your vehicle. Transmission fluid lubricates the gear box so your vehicle can shift properly. In your engine bay, you’ll find a dipstick marked transmission fluid. Pull it out to check your transmission fluid—you’ll be looking for proper levels and color, which would be clear for manual transmission and bright red for automatics.
Coolant
Also known as anti-freeze, this fluid should always be properly filled in the self-contained cooling system. Leaks can also be an issue—if you notice puddles of neon yellow/green liquid where your car has been, contact an Auto Repair shop in the Waukesha area about fixing the leak—low coolant can very quickly and unexpectedly lead to an overheated engine, causing pricey repairs! Regardless, it’s a good idea to have your coolant flushed every 2—3 years or 24,000-36,000 miles.
Brake Fluid
You like stopping, don’t you? Well then, you’ll want your brake master cylinder to be topped off with brake fluid. Its job is to transfer the force of your foot on the brake pedal into friction on the brake past that stop your car. If your brakes are soft or the pedal engages low, consult an Auto Parts store in Waukesha about what you should do to make your brake system safer.
Power Steering Fluid
This fluid does a lot—it creates hydraulic pressure and cleans and lubricates parts like the power steering pump, gear box, and rack and pinion. Power steering fluid may seem like something you can live without—until you live without it. Anyone who’s had the misfortune of having their power steering go out mid-drive knows the battle just pulling your vehicle over can be. If you notice any changes in your steering, visit an Auto Repair facility near Waukesha to have their ASE-Certified technicians check it out.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
Run out of this stuff on a muddy day and risk an accident—seriously. We recommend ALWAYS having an extra container of windshield wiper fluid handy just in case of those muddy days. Next time you get an Oil Change in Waukesha, ask them to top off this fluid for you.
Motor Oil
This lubricant is designed to ease the friction in your engine. When it’s low or the oil is old, it may cause the many metal parts in your engine to work against each other, creating friction that could seriously damage your engine! We recommend having an Oil Change in Waukesha every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first.
If you need any of these fluids topped off, stop by an Auto Parts store in Waukesha like S/S Research or call (262)968-3324 today!