Car Repair: Keep An Eye on Your Fluids

Modern day car repair wouldn't be a very profitable business if people took proper care of their automobiles. Unfortunately, the percentage of people who meet even the minimum standards of caring for their cars is very low, indeed. When you continuously drive and never do anything to contribute to the maintenance of your vehicle, you are simply asking for problems down the line. If you have unlimited wealth, this may not be any of your concern. If you're like the rest of us, however, it's probably not a good idea to trash your own investment. One of the most important aspects of simple vehicle maintenance is monitoring your fluids. Here's a look at which ones to be concerned about.

If any of these fluids are more important than any other, oil would be at the top of the heap. Oil is essential to keep the moving parts of your engine running smoothly without building up friction. But when left alone, you could wind up with a bone dry engine or even sludge, which is potentially worse. To check the oil (which should be done on a biweekly basis), pop the hood and look for the appropriate dipstick. It is usually towards the front and will often be marked with the word "oil" for easy recognition. Check your level with the engine turned off. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it down with a rag, put it back in, and then pull it out once more. Look to see where the oil line comes to on the stick. Markings will tell you if you are where you need to be.

There isn't a lot of difference between checking your vehicle's transmission fluid and checking the oil. The location is usually different, however, as the transmission fluid reservoir is more likely to be located closer to the back than the oil. Most vehicles need to be running for a good check of the fluid level to be valid. Let the vehicle heat up for a few minutes before you make your check. The dipstick or the owner's manual should tell you everything you need to know about what to look for when you perform the inspection. Of course, the preceding information is invalid if you drive a stick shift and not an automatic. Checking the fluid on a manual means getting up under the vehicle. It's usually best to let a car repair shop do the work.

In direct contradiction to the rule about transmission fluid, you should make an effort to never open up your radiator cap when the engine has been running for any length of time. You risk getting a backflow of the fluid within, which could cause serious burns. Checking the coolant is easier than even the other two processes. You should see a clear tank with lines marked so that you can tell exactly where your fluid is and where it should be. Keep your fluid level between those lines and you should be good to go.