Maintain Your Car's Fluid Levels
Just like a human
being, your car needs fluids to survive. If they were taken away, your
vehicle would quickly find its way to the shoulder and beg for a
drink.
Maintaining proper fluid levels is an essential and easy
maintenance task. Even armchair mechanics can perform this one. It's
fun, quick, and can add thousands of miles to the life of your car.
This
procedure is particularly important if you're planning on a long road
trip and want to travel safely and efficiently.
The systems
that need checking include the following:
Let's break them down.
Engine. It's often been said
that oil is the lifeblood of your car. Clichés usually become clichés
because they contain a grain of truth. In this case, truer words were
never spoken.
The oil in the crankcase of your engine is
critical to long and healthy motor life. Without it, your engine would
freeze up in a matter of minutes. For more about oil and its importance
to engine life, please see the Edmunds.com link below.
Checking your oil level is a fairly simple procedure. Experts
generally agree that it's best to drive the car first before checking
it. So take a little spin, then find a cool, shady spot to pop the
hood.
Let the car sit for at least five minutes before
checking, to give the oil time to settle into the sump.
With
the hood open (and securely propped, so it doesn't bonk you on the
head), locate the dipstick. It will be near the front of the engine,
close to you, and sometimes has a brightly colored handle -- yellow,
red, or some other noticeable color. Find it? OK, remove it and wipe it
with a clean rag or towel. Reinsert it into hole, then slowly remove
it again. Check the level. The oil mark should fall between the two
hash marks on the dipstick. If it's below the lower level, you need to
add oil -- a quart will usually do it. Before you do so, though, wipe
the dipstick again and check it a second time. Still low? Add a quart
and recheck it. (It's best to add the oil, then start the engine to
circulate it, then20let it sit for another five minutes before
rechecking.) If it's still below the lower hash mark, you may need to
add another quart, but be careful not to overfill it, as this can lead
to other problems.
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle. The
automatic transmission fluid should be checked with the engine running.
The transmission dipstick is typically located behind the oil
dipstick, and doesn't stick up as high. If you have trouble locating
it, consult your owner's manual. Oftentimes it will have the same
colorful markings (yellow, red, etc.) as the oil dipstick.
Start
the engine and locate the transmission fluid dipstick. Before you do,
though, make sure to remove any loose clothing hanging from your neck,
such as a scarf, sweater, necktie, or long jewelry. These could get
caught in a running fan belt and cause you to have a close encounter of
the mechanical kind.
With the engine running, extract the
transmission dipstick. Wipe it clean and reinsert it, then extract it
again. It will have similar markings to the oil dipstick, one mark for
too low, another for too high.
(Note: Transmission fluid will
almost never be low. The automatic transmission / transaxle is a sealed
system, requiring little maintenance. If your fluid is low, it most
likely means you have a leak in the system, such as a worn seal or a
crack somewhere. Have you noticed an oily patch on your driveway where
you park? Is it=2 0red, or reddish-brown? If so, you may have a
transmission leak and will need to see a mechanic.)
Even if the
level is OK, note the color and consistency of the fluid. If it is very
dark or black, check your records and owner's manual and plan on
getting it changed; it's probably overdue.
Manual
Transmission. This is done with the engine off. For most cars, you
have to get under the car and remove the fill plug with a wrench. Stick
your finger in and feel for fluid. If you can feel fluid on the tip of
your finger, it's probably OK. Again, as above, note the color of the
fluid and consult your owner's manual for exact procedures and service
interval.
Many cars these days have a hydraulic clutch system,
which needs brake fluid to keep the parts lubricated. An easy way to
tell if your car has one is to check under the hood and look for a
small plastic reservoir-similar to the one used for brake fluid, but
smaller. Once you've located it, remove the lid and check the level. It
should be at least two-thirds full. If not, fill to the "full" line
with brake fluid.
Radiator/Cooling System. This should
be done when the engine is cool or lukewarm, not cold.
Please
note: The contents of the radiator are pressurized and can scald you
if the system is opened when it is hot. Also, never check
the radiator when the engine is running.
Locate the
radiator cap. It should be in the center of the engine compartme nt, in
the very front. Use a rag to remove it. Look down into the radiator
and see if you can spot fluid. If it's near the top, you're in good
shape. If not, you'll need to add some.
Engine coolant is added
on a 50/50 basis -- 50 percent water, 50 percent coolant. Read the
instructions on the coolant container for details.
You may want
to also check the fluid level in the coolant reservoir. This is a
plastic container just to the side of the radiator, with a hose
connecting the two. It serves as an overflow receptacle for excess
radiator coolant (since the fluid expands and contracts with heat). Pop
the lid open and fill it about two-thirds of the way full.
Brakes. Like the transmission, the braking system is a sealed
network. If it repeatedly gets low on fluid, you need to locate the
source of the problem, either by yourself or with the help of a
mechanic. A leaky braking system is nothing to play around with.
To
check the fluid level, locate the brake fluid reservoir. It's usually
in the engine compartment. If you can't find it, consult your owner's
manual. Remove the lid and check the level. It should be at least
two-thirds full. If not, fill to the "full" line with brake fluid.
Note:
Avoid getting water in the braking system, at all costs. Therefore,
do not do this procedure in the rain, unless in a garage or under an
overhang.
Battery. Some cars have
what is called a "maintenance-free battery." This means the battery is
sealed and should not be tampered with. You'll be able to tell right
away, since the battery has a flat top with no openings.
Most
cars, however, still utilize traditional battery design, with six cells
that need occasional refilling. Access to the cells comes through six
screw caps, or, more commonly these days, two rows of plastic caps that
pressure-fit over three cells each. Either pry the caps off with a
flat-head screwdriver, or unscrew the six caps.
It's best to
fill battery cells with distilled water, since it lacks contaminants
and trace elements that can cause a corrosive buildup around the
battery terminals.
The battery cells should be filled to the
bottom of the fill hole, no further.
CAUTION: Battery acid
has sulfuric acid in it, which is highly caustic to skin and eyes. Wear
eye protection and gloves when doing this procedure.
Window Washer. Some newer cars and trucks now have a light
that comes on to indicate when this receptacle needs refilling. It's
typically located in the engine compartment, underneath the windshield.
It looks a lot like the coolant overflow reservoir, but will be
located=2 0closer to the rear of the engine compartment. Also, both of
the caps will be labeled "coolant" and "windshield," or something
similar, to distinguish one from the other.
Some vehicles, such
as SUVs and minivans, may have a second receptacle, located in the
rear of the vehicle, to supply the rear wipers.
If you're
unable to locate these fluid reservoirs, consult your owner's manual.
Many
people will augment the water in these receptacles with Windex or some
other glass cleaner, to increase the cleaning power of the fluid. This
is a particularly good idea in summer, when dead insects on the
windshield can reduce visibility.
Air Conditioner. The
average home mechanic doesn't have the tools or know-how to check this
fluid level (which is actually a gas, not a fluid). We mention it here
because it should be checked. Best to find a certified air conditioning
mechanic to have this done.
Remember, maintaining proper fluid
levels insures safe and trouble-free driving. It takes only a few
minutes, and can often catch a problem before it becomes a crisis.