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United Tire and Service News

What Fluids Are in My Car?

8/27/2020 11:40:00 AM | (301) View Count | Return
Making sure you never miss a tune-up is the best way to make sure your car is always at its safest and most functional. However, it pays to get to know your vehicle so you can adequately care for it in between visits to your mechanic as well. For instance, every driver should be familiar with the different car fluids that keep their ride functional, so if you’ve ever found yourself asking “what fluids are in my car,” make a note of these essential examples.

Motor Oil

Your engine contains multiple moving parts that rely on adequate amounts of clean motor oil to stay lubricated, cool, and efficient. Fresh, pure motor oil is golden what fluids are in my car amber in color, but it slowly grows darker with age and use. Have the oil changed in your car every 5,000-7,500 miles to keep your engine working smoothly. Also, be on the lookout for the following signs your oil levels may be low.
  • Burnt oil smell when driving
  • Overheating engine
  • Poor gas mileage or other engine performance issues

Transmission Fluid

Your transmission is responsible for helping your engine supply the proper amount of power to your wheels to maintain a specific speed. Transmission fluid keeps this system lubricated and efficient. Transmission fluid is routinely dyed by manufacturers to make it easy to identify and is a dark, translucent red when clean and new. Most vehicles will only need a transmission fluid exchange every 30,000-60,000 miles but be on the lookout for the following warnings your levels may be low.
  • Trouble shifting gears (like slipping, delays, or irregularities)
  • Inability to shift gears at all
  • Overheating transmission
  • Transmission failure

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is responsible for lending power to your car’s braking system, as well as keeping it lubricated. Make sure your vehicle has plenty of it to stay safe out there on the road. Clean, fresh brake fluid can range from clear to light yellow. Most cars need their brake fluid flushed and replaced every 4-5 years, but many drivers elect to have theirs checked during routine oil changes to be on the safe side. Watch out for the following signs your brake fluid levels need to be addressed.
  • A burning smell when braking or driving.
  • A brake pedal that feels soft, mushy, or spongy.
  • Poor brake function or slow response.
  • Odd noises when braking.

Radiator Fluid

Keeping your vehicle supplied with enough clean radiator fluid is essential when it comes to keeping your engine cool. Without enough of it, you can easily wind up stranded on the side of the road with an overheating vehicle on your hands. New, clean radiator fluid is either green or orange and should be changed every 30,000 miles on average. Bring your car in sooner for a check if you notice signs like the following.
  • Problems with a failing, stalling, or overheating engine.
  • You think you smell the coolant or notice signs of leakage.
  • Your temperature control system is unresponsive.
Many people keep supplies of essential car fluids on hand so they can top them off themselves in between tune-ups, but be sure to visit your local United Tire & Service if something doesn’t seem right or is leaking. The sooner you catch a potential problem, the less likely it will add up to safety issues or costly repairs down the line.

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Auto Repair 101

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