A lot of time and effort goes into owning a vehicle. Much like a small child, you need to keep it fed to keep it moving, and you are in constant need of changing something. Usually a fluid of some kind. There are so many fluids that keep your car working and running at its peak so it’s understandable that you’d need to change those fluids regularly, but what are those fluids and what do they do? Why are they so important to your vehicle’s performance? Well, in this week’s blog we’re going to discuss exactly that! It’s time we had a slightly better understanding of what’s happening in our cars, so hopefully, this will help!

Engine Oil
Engine oil lubricates the engine and absorbs heat. It is a necessary fluid in your vehicle and fortunately, checking your engine oil is pretty easy. Simply open the hood, remove the oil cap(it should be labeled, and if not consult your Owner’s Manual) to find the dipstick, take the stick out and wipe it off, put it back in and then finally take it out one more time. The stick will show you what your oil level is, and the color of the oil will tell you if it needs to be changed out. Make sure your car is off and has been off for at least 10 minutes before checking your engine oil. Some experts recommend you check your oil every time you fill up with gas, but checking once a month should be fine for newer vehicles.

Transmission Fluid
Your transmission fluid, much like the engine oil, lubricates your vehicle and in this case, keeps your vehicle’s gears moving. Checking your transmission fluid is a lot like checking your engine oil, except you will want your vehicle on when you check your transmission fluid. The fluid should be red, so if you notice that it’s brown and smells vaguely burnt, you should replace the fluid. Your transmission fluid should not get low, so if it does, stop by Destination Kia and we’ll check it out to see what’s going on. Transmission fluid should be checked at each oil change interval and replaced typically every 30,000 miles.

Coolant
Basically, coolant keeps your engine at its optimal temperature. Like transmission fluid, your vehicle’s coolant levels should not get low. If it does, your vehicle is most likely going to overheat, which can really burn a hole into your savings if enough damage is done. The most common reason your coolant level is low is because of a leak. You can usually identify a coolant leak by a very distinct sweet maple syrup smell. You can check your coolant level by checking the overflow reservoir (an opaque white container under the hood) and seeing if the fluid level is at or above the minimum line. If your coolant level is low, be sure to add the same type of coolant already in the vehicle. Check your coolant levels at least every 6 months, once before winter and once again before summer. Your coolant should be replaced every 2 to 3 years.

Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is another one that should never get low. If your brakes don’t feel as responsive or you feel like you need to use more pressure to stop, check your fluid first. Your brake fluid can be checked by looking through the brake fluid reservoir on the driver side of the vehicle and should be a golden color. If the fluid looks brown, you need to change the fluid. Check your brake fluid every time you have your oil changed and look to replace the fluid every 2 years.

Power Steering Fluid
Power steering fluid keeps your steering running smoothly. If you feel or hear a creaking as you steer, your power steering fluid may be running low. You can check the level by opening the hood and checking the reservoir. If you do notice the power steering fluid is low, it’s worth having your vehicle looked at by your friends at Destination Kia. Checking your power steering fluid monthly will help avoid any leak based issues. It’s also important to note that your power steering fluid may never need replacing, but it doesn’t hurt to keep track.

Keeping up with all the various maintenance that your car needs to run efficiently isn’t as hard as you thought! At the very least it’s not quite as daunting a task as raising toddlers. So remember, if you have any questions about your fluid levels, your friends at Destination Kia will be happy to help. Just give us a call or stop by today!