5 Common Car Fluids and What They Do

5 Common Car Fluids and What They Do

Cars are pretty incredible feats of engineering and technology. There are so many moving parts, electrical components and equipment that allow a heavy piece of machinery to stop, go and turn with ease and without overheating.

Fluids play a critical part in the operation of your vehicle – without them, friction from all those moving parts can overheat the engine and things like stopping and turning would be a work out. Without proper maintenance, undo wear and tear is inevitable. Here is a list of 5 common car fluids, what they do, and how they are maintained.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid keeps the gears inside your transmission lubricated. Your transmission relies on this fluid for smooth gear changing, overall durability and heat dissipation. Over time, transmission fluid wears down, slowly burning and becoming contaminated with metal particles and other debris.

Eventually, this can cause damage to your transmission – your vehicle might start having trouble changing gears and won’t operate well. Transmissions are expensive and replacing one is typically in the thousands of dollars.

It is crucial to check your owner’s manual to see when and how your car’s transmission fluid should be maintained. Many newer makes and models have sealed transmissions and the idea is that the transmission fluid should never have to be changed. That doesn’t mean that issues can’t arise. Again, check out the manual of your car for maintenance and warranty information.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid acts sort of like hydraulic fluid and makes braking your car much easier. With only slight pressure on your brake pedal, you can bring a large machine to a complete stop safely and comfortably, without having to really bare down on the brake. That is your brake fluid working for you.

Brake fluid should also be changed periodically and should be checked out in the intervals recommended in your user manual. If the brake fluid is low or brownish in color, it might be time for a brake flush. Remember, this is braking we’re talking about – you don’t want to be stuck without brakes.

Radiator Fluid

Another critical fluid in your car is radiator fluid. Together with the radiator itself, the radiator system keeps your car cool. It literally radiates heat away from your car’s engine, which gets extremely hot during normal use.

Without an operational radiator system and maintained fluid, you’ll be stuck on the side of the road and may face catastrophic repairs on your car should your engine overheat.

Radiator fluid can get low and requires periodic checks. Again, the owner manual is a great place to start to learn how to care for this system. If you do see that your car is overheating, it’s crucial to stop in a safe place, shut off your car and call your mechanic.

Power Steering Fluid

Power steering fluid allows you to turn your car’s wheel with as little as a finger. Without power steering fluid, turning your wheel becomes a chore. There are several components to the power steering system, including pumps and hoses. Over time, it’s common for hoses to wear out and eventually leak. The pump itself may also become damaged.

A car power steering issues will have a distinct squeal to it, especially when you turn the wheel. If you hear that sound or experience difficulty turning your vehicle, you may want to check your power steering fluid levels and see if you have a leak.

Oil

Probably the most routine car care service is an oil change – and for good reason. Motor oil is what keeps your engine running smoothly. Without good motor oil, you expose your car to a host of problems and significant damage. In many respects, your car will only last as long as the oil that’s in it. Eventually, an engine can overheat and seize. There are several types of motor oil, including conventional, synthetic and a blend. Your car’s manual may call for a specific kind.

It’s important that you look at that and keep track of your mileage and have your oil changed at the recommended intervals.

There are other fluids in your car that help it operate, such as windshield wiper fluid, air conditioning coolant and, of course, gas. Yet, the fluids listed above are really at the core of what helps a car operate smoothly and would benefit the most from regular maintenance. These fluids protect critical systems in your car and having them checked out can save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars in repairs down the road.

BBack Car Care is a trusted source for all your car care needs. They will work with you and the specific needs of your vehicle to ensure the proper operation and years of reliable use, including car fluids.

Interested in a checkup? Request an appointment online or give us a call today and a member of our team will be glad take care of you.