Experienced local car mechanic in Tyler, Texas, Donnybrook Automotive wants to help its customers understand the importance of checking and maintaining their car’s fluids. Just like your body requires fluids, so does your car, truck, or SUV!
Keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance is about more than getting a car tune-up or an oil change when your check engine light or oil light comes on.
While Donnybrook Automotive is ready to repair your car whenever it’s needed, we also think it’s important for you to know what fluids go into your vehicle, what they do, why they’re important, and how to check them. It’s also good to know when to take your car into your local auto mechanic shop.
Checking and maintaining your car’s fluids regularly is a great way to manage your car’s engine health yourself. It also saves money on vehicle maintenance, car repairs, and breakdowns.
Breakdowns are not only expensive but can be scary and inconvenient. Luckily, many of your car’s essential fluids are easy to find and maintain.
The oil in your car is a necessary component that provides lubrication for your vehicle’s moving parts.
Anyone who’s ever had to go in for a car repair because they ran out of oil knows how vital motor oil is when it comes to keeping your car running.
To check:
Use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe the dipstick clean the first time you pull it out. Then put it back, all the way in again.
When you remove it a second time, see where the oil line is located. It should be marked on the metal oil stick. The mark shows whether your oil is at a good level or if you need to add oil.
If it’s low, add some oil or take it to a local mechanic for a quick oil change and to have a professional car tech check for leaks.
Brake fluid is one of your most important fluids to maintain. Brake fluid is the pressurized fluid that keeps your brakes in working order so that your car stops when it needs to. It’s what keeps you from running into whatever is in front of or behind you.
Anyone who’s ever been in a vehicle when the brakes start to fail knows how frightening that can be.
If you’re uncertain about checking the brakes, take your car to a trusted garage/repair shop. Any local mechanic can quickly check the brake fluid level in your car or truck. However, it’s always good to call ahead if possible.
If you want to check it yourself, you will usually find the brake fluid container toward the back of your engine. Unscrew the cap and check the level visually.
If it’s not within a half-inch or so of the cap, it’s too low. Consult your car’s manual for what type of fluid your vehicle requires.
You can add more fluid yourself, but as brakes are so important, it’s not a bad idea to have a mechanic look at it- at least the first time or two.
Anyone who’s ever been caught without washer fluid at the wrong time knows how crucial it is. That moment when you can’t see out your windshield, but desperately need to.
Or have you ever been that person with your hand out the window, splashing an old water bottle’s last drops onto your windshield with one hand while trying to drive with the other?
To avoid these scenarios, check your washer fluid visually to determine whether you need more. If it’s low, you can get more at your local gas station.
It’s crucial to check your washer fluid level before heading out on a road trip or if you expect to drive in bad weather. Driving without washer fluid can be dangerous.
The transmission is a crucial part that keeps your car’s engine running. Ever been in a vehicle when the transmission dies? Yep, you understand how important it is.
Maintaining your car’s transmission fluid is necessary to keep your car running smoothly and preventing breakdowns.
You will find the transmission fluid as the other dipstick rather than the oil.
To check transmission fluid, do the same as directed with the oil. You can add more yourself, but as with the oil, if you’re noticing a significant decrease in fluid, it’s a good idea to have a professional mechanic take a look. Transmission fluid levels can be checked quickly by a local mechanic.
While it isn’t necessary to check often, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your vehicle’s coolant.
Because an engine produces a lot of heat when it’s running, coolant fluid is necessary to keep it…well, cool. Coolant keeps your car’s engine from overheating.
Monitor your vehicle’s coolant levels, especially during long car trips and hot weather.
A huge word of caution: Don’t remove the cap when your engine is hot! The liquid is pressurized and, when hot, could badly injure someone.
Remember, maintaining the fluids that go into your car can make a big difference in keeping vehicle repair costs down, and keeping your car, truck, or SUV in good working order.
For your next tune-up, car repair work, or vehicle check, give Gary and Dean at Stewart’s Donnybrook Automotive in Tyler, a call to set up a convenient appointment.
