6 Essential Car Fluids

You want to get the most out of your car, truck, or SUV. That’s why you need to check the essential car fluids from time to time to make sure they are at the proper levels and they look clean for your Parker travels. You’ll also need to follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule to replace the essential fluids in your car at the right time for the best results in Bullhead City and beyond.

Do you need to know how to check the essential car fluids? How about when to check car fluids in your vehicle? Learn how and when to check car fluids with this handy guide from the service team at Anderson Toyota. We’re happy to help in any way we can!

What Essential Car Fluids Should I Check Regularly?

These are the six most important fluids to check regularly in Lake Havasu City:

• Engine oil
• Brake fluid
• Engine coolant
• Transmission fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Windshield wiper fluid

We’ll tell you when to check these fluids and what to look for.

When and How to Check Essential Fluids in Your Car

Your owner’s manual will give you exact instructions and teach you how to check essential car fluids. Until then, explore our comprehensive guide on when and how to check essential fluids in your car. It will show you how to do these things in general.

Engine Oil

Having robust, fresh engine oil for your internal combustion engine makes sure the pistons work properly to move your vehicle forward on Kingman roads. In most vehicles, fully synthetic engine oil should be replaced around every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, depending on your driving habits and conditions.

To check the oil in your vehicle, look for a dipstick underneath the hood. The dipstick will show you the oil level with some notches on the metal rod. Look at the consistency and color of the engine oil, too. We recommend checking the oil once a month. If it’s time for an oil change, talk to us.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is responsible for the easy movement of all of your brake system parts, from the pistons to the calipers and brake pads. This fluid can collect debris and break down over time.

Most vehicles have a clear brake fluid reservoir underneath the hood that has indicator levels on the side of the container. We suggest looking at the brake fluid every three months or if your brakes start to have issues.

Engine Coolant

Engine coolant combines water and propylene glycol to keep your engine from overheating and freezing. The general rule of thumb is to replace engine coolant every 50,000 miles so the radiator works properly, although some makes and models may have longer periods between coolant flushes. You’ll want to check your coolant at regular intervals as it makes sure your engine temperatures stay at the optimal level.

Check your engine coolant by locating the coolant reservoir underneath the hood, and it usually has clear marks on the side. Check your coolant level every month or so as well as before embarking on a long trip. If the level is low, add some coolant to the reservoir. Do not check your coolant if your engine is hot and has just been running because it’s too hot.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid lubricates the gears in the transmission to prevent friction or sticking gears. Dirty or broken down transmission fluid can often cause shift delays and even grinding noises. Transmissions are notoriously expensive to repair or replace, so keep the transmission fluid in top shape to avoid issues.

Replace the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on your exact model. Inspect your transmission fluid with a dipstick underneath the hood, much like checking your engine oil. Some transmissions are completely sealed, and only factory-trained technicians can inspect the transmission fluid levels. We recommend checking the transmission fluid once a season.

Power Steering Fluid

Your power steering system provides steering assistance for ease of use. Otherwise, you won’t skip arm day when turning your steering wheel. Check the power steering fluid once every six months to make sure it looks okay. Although it’s not on a list of recommended fluid replacements, power steering fluid is important. Look at your owner’s manual to find out where the reservoir is.

Windshield Wiper Fluid

Windshield wiper fluid keeps your windshield clean and even ice-free in winter. We recommend replacing windshield wiper fluid as needed, such as when you notice the fluid level is low. There’s usually a reservoir with a windshield washer symbol and you can inspect the fluid by peeking into the reservoir. Check this system once a season for the best results. Consider replacing the windshield wiper fluid with a low-temperature variety that won’t freeze when cold weather sets in.

Maintain Your Essential Car Fluids at Anderson Toyota!

Do you need to replace one of your essential car fluids? Contact us or call (928) 267-3259 to schedule an appointment with our team. If you need assistance in looking at one of these essential car fluids, we can show you how. Meanwhile, look over our service specials to see if you could save money on your maintenance.