The topic of car fluids can be overwhelming and confusing to those who aren’t mechanically inclined. As vehicles depend on various car fluids to function efficiently and safely, it can be quite challenging to determine which type of fluid your car needs to guarantee smooth operation on the road. If you are completely clueless on what type of fluid your car needs, when to check or replace each fluid, this post will serve a guide so you can ensure your car maintains optimal operations all-year-round.
Oil
Even if you aren’t the biggest fan of cars, it is common knowledge that motor oil is crucial in a vehicle’s overall performance and consistent operation. If your car reads a low oil level, this can mean danger and costly repairs and replacement if left neglected. But if you suspect that your car has a low oil level, you can do one of these two things- Check the oil level by using a dipstick. You may also drive to a reliable car mechanic in Sydney to check the oil level for you.
By rule, there should be a notch on the dipstick that indicates safe oil levels. If the oil reading is above the notch, your car is still in good condition. However, if the oil level is below the notch, it’s high time that you top off the motor oil immediately, or in some cases, get the motor oil changed altogether.
It is imperative for vehicle owners like you to get the oil changed on a regular basis. Ideally, you need to replace motor oil every six months for standard oil and once a year if you’re using synthetic oils. Over time, the oil in your vehicle engine wears out and turns sludgy. Even when your car has a safe oil level, the thickness or sludgy attribute of the oil can have a negative impact on your engine.
Radiator Fluid
The main function of a radiator fluid is to protect your engine from overheating and eventual damage. Locate the radiator fluid tank and check the level of fluid inside. The tank is usually installed in the front-middle of a car’s engine compartment. Estimate the coolant levels through simple visual inspection. If you see the presence of a fluid tank, it means that your car still has enough radiator fluid. On the other hand, if you fail to see any fluid near the top of the tank, it’s best to resolve this issue by topping up on antifreeze coolant, so you can safely go back on the road again.
Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid ensures that your transmission system is adequately lubricated. Use a dipstick to check transmission fluid levels. You can check your vehicle owner manual for care and maintenance, but if your car manual doesn’t have it, let a mechanic in Sydney assess the transmission fluid levels for you. Ideally, transmission fluid needs to be replaced every 50,000 to 110,000 kilometres. During inspection, check for the presence of small particles and debris in your transmission fluid. If you see them on your fluid or if the fluid smells burnt, it may be time to change it or have an auto mechanic implement this service for the best outcome.
Power Steering Fluid
The job of the power steering fluid is to lubricate your vehicle’s power steering system to ensure smooth and safe operation. If you are low on power steering fluid, you will notice its first warning signs that include sudden judder or shift of the steering wheel. Ultimately, your steering wheel will be harder to operate due to the low level of power steering fluid.
Check your car’s power steering sensor and open the cap that indicates “Steering”. Reservoirs are usually semi-transparent in nature, so you shouldn’t have a hard time reading its fluid level. When the fluid reads slow, top it off with quality power steering fluid or have a car mechanic examine your vehicle.
Brake Fluid
For your vehicle’s braking system and hydraulics system to perform at their best, experts recommend looking closely at brake fluid levels. Poor braking systems can result in poor stopping performance and serious problems. With this in mind, it becomes more imperative to keep the brake fluid levels adequate. You can locate the brake fluid reservoir at the back of the engine compartment. Clean the area prior to opening the tank to reduce poor or malfunctioning brake systems.
Ideally, brake fluid level should be within half of its cap. If your car is suffering from low fluid levels, talk to an automotive mechanic for accurate diagnosis and topping. As a thorough car owner, the overall quality of your brake fluid should be checked every two year or 30,000 kilometres whatever comes first.
If you are busy and have no time to check the fluids all by yourself, HP Automotive will be more than eager to help you with fluid-related concerns. For enquiries or to schedule a servicing, call HP Automotive direct line today.