One of the most important car maintenance tasks you can perform is maintaining the fluids in your vehicle. Without a sufficient level of fluids or quality fluids, your vehicle may not run as smoothly. In turn, it will wear out faster. To ensure your vehicle is running smoothly, you must maintain the fluids for car performance and safety.
Engine Oil
Quite possibly, the most important fluid that helps car performance is engine oil. This fluid is responsible for lubricating the engine. You should change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. Monthly, you should check the oil levels to ensure you don’t need to add more.
Transmission Fluid
The transmission fluid for your car is important for smooth running gears. Both the fluid level and quality are important. Depending on your particular vehicle and type of transmission, transmission fluid should be refilled every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
Coolant
Coolant, also referred to as antifreeze, is responsible for regulating the heat of the engine. This fluid is within the radiator. Check the coolant twice annually — once in the summer and once in the winter. A good rule of thumb is to have this fluid changed every two to three years.
Power Steering Fluid
To ensure you don’t run into issues with steering, such as a hard-to-turn wheel, you will want to ensure that your power steering fluid is always at an acceptable level. Unless you have a leak, you shouldn’t run into too many issues with this fluid.
Brake Fluid
The brake fluid is responsible for ensuring your car’s brakes are able to operate properly. If you notice that your brakes don’t seem “normal,” your brake fluid may be low. Check the levels and top them off if needed. Brake fluid should be checked each time you have your oil changed and replaced every other year.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
Although not as important as the other fluids for your car mentioned above, the windshield wiper fluid is important to have. The last thing you want or need is to have a filthy windshield and no way to clean it off sufficiently. Check the wiper fluid every several months and top it off when needed.
To ensure your vehicle is always in tip-top shape, you should maintain all of the aforementioned fluids for your car. These are all fluids that help car performance in one way or another. If you need help checking your fluids, or if you believe something may be amiss, reach out to an auto repair shop near you.