Your Basic Guide To 6 Essential Fluids Your Vehicle Needs

Checking and changing the fluids is an essential part of vehicle ownership. It may not be a fun thing to do, but it’s necessary to keep your car running properly. There are six different fluids that your vehicle needs: motor oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, washer fluid, and power steering fluid.

In this blog post by Folsom Lake Honda, we’ll go over what each of these fluids are used for and how often you need to change them.

Engine Oil

A car’s engine needs oil to run efficiently, and it’s important to change it regularly to keep it in good condition. If you don’t change the oil, the gunk that builds up in the engine can cause damage and lead to expensive repairs. The oil pump and engine oil are the vehicle’s two most important components. They transport oil throughout the engine, lubricate moving parts to reduce friction and wear, and clean the engine. Engine oil should be changed at least every 3,000 miles, or in accordance with your owner’s manual.

Coolant

The coolant system circulates water and antifreeze through the engine to help keep it cool. It’s important to keep the coolant level topped off regularly and replace it when it gets too old.

Windshield Washer Fluid

This seems unimportant, but if you don’t have windshield washer fluid in your car, you won’t be able to clean your windshield. It can be dangerous in bad weather. So, make sure to always keep a bottle of windshield washer fluid in your car.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid helps keep your brakes working properly. The brake system in your car is hydraulic, which means it uses fluid to generate pressure. When you push down on the brake pedal the brake fluid transfers the force to the brake pads which brings the car to a halt. Low brake fluid levels can delay your car from stopping and can lead to dangerous situations, so make sure to check your brake fluid at least during every service. You should replace brake fluid every 4 – 5 years.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid helps keep your transmission running smoothly. It’s important to keep the transmission fluid level topped off and replace it every 50,000 miles or as per your owner’s manual.

The main purpose of this fluid is to lubricate and clean the internal components of a gearbox. It also maintains the efficiency of the moving components.

Power Steering Fluid

Power steering fluid helps your power steering system run smoothly. Like transmission fluid, it’s important to keep the power steering fluid level topped off and to replace it every two years, or as per the instructions in your car’s manual. This fluid helps the power steering pump create the pressure needed to turn the wheels. It also lubricates the seals in the power steering system.

At Folsom Lake Honda, serving Rancho Cordova, CA, our skilled technicians can help you with all of your car repair needs. Our team is dedicated to providing top-quality service, and we’ll work hard to get your vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible. Schedule your service now!