Checking the Fluid Levels in Your Car
By Carol Williamson
OIL
Oil is necessary for the car to function. A car’s engine is full of many moving parts and without the oil to create a lubricant between the parts the part would cause friction. This means that the parts would be worn down very quickly and would get hot very quickly. Without oil, the pieces of your engine will wear down and your car would be useless.
Since oil is so important, it is ideal to check your oil level every week. Cars will use oil and so it needs to be refilled.
To Check It
1. Make sure the engine has been off for at least 2-3 minutes
2. Open the hood and find the engine oil dipstick, it is usually yellow, but check the owner’s manual if you are not sure.
3. Pull the dipstick out and wipe it off with a rag or napkin.
4. Reinsert the dipstick, making sure it is inside all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and look for the oil level on the dipstick.
6. On the dipstick you will see a “full” mark and an “add” or “low” mark. The oil should be to the “full” mark.
OIL
Oil is necessary for the car to function. A car’s engine is full of many moving parts and without the oil to create a lubricant between the parts the part would cause friction. This means that the parts would be worn down very quickly and would get hot very quickly. Without oil, the pieces of your engine will wear down and your car would be useless.
Since oil is so important, it is ideal to check your oil level every week. Cars will use oil and so it needs to be refilled.
To Check It
1. Make sure the engine has been off for at least 2-3 minutes
2. Open the hood and find the engine oil dipstick, it is usually yellow, but check the owner’s manual if you are not sure.
3. Pull the dipstick out and wipe it off with a rag or napkin.
4. Reinsert the dipstick, making sure it is inside all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and look for the oil level on the dipstick.
6. On the dipstick you will see a “full” mark and an “add” or “low” mark. The oil should be to the “full” mark.
To Add To It
It takes exactly one quart of oil to raise it from the “add” mark to the “full” mark. If you need to add oil:
1. Determine the correct type of oil.
2. Locate & remove the engine oil fill cap
3. Pour it in, with a funnel in necessary.
Be careful not to over fill it. Over-filling an engine with oil can damage your engine just as easily as letting it get too low.
It is also important to make sure that your oil is changed regularly. The oil will collect dirt and other materials. If not changed regularly, the oil in your car can do real damage. It would be like swimming in a pool covered with algae compared to a clean swimming pool.
You need to change your oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever one comes first. In the picture above, the dipstick on the left needs to get its oil changed. The dipstick on the right just recently had its oil changed. See the difference? It’s important if you want your car to work well.
COOLANT
Coolant keeps your car running. While oil helps to reduce heat, it is the coolant’s job to help cool down the engine. The coolant keeps the engine cool by transferring the heat into the air. Not only that, but the engine will wear down more in cold temperatures, so the coolant’s job is also heat the engine up quickly when you start your car.
The coolant circulates through pipes in the engine absorbing the heat and cooling the engine. It then passes into the radiator to where the heat transfers into the air.
Because it takes the heat away and gives it to the engine, the coolant has to have a high boiling point and a low freezing point. Water takes heat well and antifreeze keeps the cold away (and it also helps stop corrosion). That is why coolants are made of 50% antifreeze and 50% water. Sometimes you can buy antifreeze separately, but it will need to be mixed with water. Now days coolants mostly are sold premixed.
To Check It
Checking your coolant is really easy.
1. Glance at the coolant reservoir and make sure the level is somewhere between the “min” and “max” marks.
2. If it is low, add some coolant and check for leaks. While it is normal for a very small amount of coolant to evaporate over time, if you have to add coolant more than once a year, you might have a leak.
To Add To It
1. Fill it into the reservoir, not the radiator.
2. You should nothave to open the pressure cap to check the coolant level or add coolant unless there is none in the reservoir. If you see none in the reservoir, it is time to open the pressure cap (but only when the car is cooled down) and find out if there is any in the radiator
It takes exactly one quart of oil to raise it from the “add” mark to the “full” mark. If you need to add oil:
1. Determine the correct type of oil.
2. Locate & remove the engine oil fill cap
3. Pour it in, with a funnel in necessary.
Be careful not to over fill it. Over-filling an engine with oil can damage your engine just as easily as letting it get too low.
It is also important to make sure that your oil is changed regularly. The oil will collect dirt and other materials. If not changed regularly, the oil in your car can do real damage. It would be like swimming in a pool covered with algae compared to a clean swimming pool.
You need to change your oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever one comes first. In the picture above, the dipstick on the left needs to get its oil changed. The dipstick on the right just recently had its oil changed. See the difference? It’s important if you want your car to work well.
COOLANT
Coolant keeps your car running. While oil helps to reduce heat, it is the coolant’s job to help cool down the engine. The coolant keeps the engine cool by transferring the heat into the air. Not only that, but the engine will wear down more in cold temperatures, so the coolant’s job is also heat the engine up quickly when you start your car.
The coolant circulates through pipes in the engine absorbing the heat and cooling the engine. It then passes into the radiator to where the heat transfers into the air.
Because it takes the heat away and gives it to the engine, the coolant has to have a high boiling point and a low freezing point. Water takes heat well and antifreeze keeps the cold away (and it also helps stop corrosion). That is why coolants are made of 50% antifreeze and 50% water. Sometimes you can buy antifreeze separately, but it will need to be mixed with water. Now days coolants mostly are sold premixed.
To Check It
Checking your coolant is really easy.
1. Glance at the coolant reservoir and make sure the level is somewhere between the “min” and “max” marks.
2. If it is low, add some coolant and check for leaks. While it is normal for a very small amount of coolant to evaporate over time, if you have to add coolant more than once a year, you might have a leak.
To Add To It
1. Fill it into the reservoir, not the radiator.
2. You should nothave to open the pressure cap to check the coolant level or add coolant unless there is none in the reservoir. If you see none in the reservoir, it is time to open the pressure cap (but only when the car is cooled down) and find out if there is any in the radiator
POWER STEERING
Power steering makes it easy to drive and steer the car. Power steering fluid is pumped out under high pressure to both sides of the steering wheel. In other words, in order to have power steering, you need the fluid to work.
To Check It
1. Find the reservoir
2. Remove the cap
3. Check the level. Some cars have a dipstick attached to the reservoir cap, and others use a reservoir with “min” and “max” marks.
To Add To It
If you have to add fluid, look in your owner’s manual to find out what type of fluid to add.
.
BRAKE FLUID
The brake fluid circles through tubes and is pressurized by the break booster. When the brake fluid is pressurized, it supplies the force needed to squeeze the brake shoes against the tire. Not having brake fluid in your car is very dangerous. Without it you would not be able to stop your car, scary thought.
To Check It
1. Locate your brake fluid reservoir, it is usually on the driver’s side of the car.
2. Look at the marks on the side. The fluid should be somewhere between the “min” and the “max” marks.
To Add To It
Your braking system does not use up fluid, so if the level is low, it is either because the brakes are wearing out or there is a leak in the system. Keep the fluid level above the “min” mark, but otherwise, don’t add fluid. If the fluid level is near the “min” mark, have your brakes checked!
AUTOMATIC TRANSMITION FLUID
Transmission fluid converts torque to supply an automatic transmission with hydraulic pressure to help it function. It also lubricates and cools down the inner workings of a transmission.
To Check It
Because procedures vary from car to car, refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions for checking your automatic transmission fluid.
Checking the ATF level typically requires that you:
1. Start the car
2. Let it warm up
3. Then leave it running in park or neutral while you remove the dipstick. Don’t confuse the engine oil dipstick with the ATF dipstick. The ATF dipstick is often red, but not always. Check in your owner’s manual to make sure.
4. Make sure the fluid level is between the “full” and “add” marks.
To Add To It
Unlike engine oil dipsticks, one pint is typically required in order to bring the level from the “add” line to the “full” line.
If transmission fluid is low, there may be a leak. If you have to add fluid:
1. Use a funnel
2. Add it through the dipstick tube.
There are many types of ATF, and they are not all the same! To prevent damage to your transmission, only use the exact type of fluid that is called for in your owner’s manual.
Your braking system does not use up fluid, so if the level is low, it is either because the brakes are wearing out or there is a leak in the system. Keep the fluid level above the “min” mark, but otherwise, don’t add fluid. If the fluid level is near the “min” mark, have your brakes checked!
AUTOMATIC TRANSMITION FLUID
Transmission fluid converts torque to supply an automatic transmission with hydraulic pressure to help it function. It also lubricates and cools down the inner workings of a transmission.
To Check It
Because procedures vary from car to car, refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions for checking your automatic transmission fluid.
Checking the ATF level typically requires that you:
1. Start the car
2. Let it warm up
3. Then leave it running in park or neutral while you remove the dipstick. Don’t confuse the engine oil dipstick with the ATF dipstick. The ATF dipstick is often red, but not always. Check in your owner’s manual to make sure.
4. Make sure the fluid level is between the “full” and “add” marks.
To Add To It
Unlike engine oil dipsticks, one pint is typically required in order to bring the level from the “add” line to the “full” line.
If transmission fluid is low, there may be a leak. If you have to add fluid:
1. Use a funnel
2. Add it through the dipstick tube.
There are many types of ATF, and they are not all the same! To prevent damage to your transmission, only use the exact type of fluid that is called for in your owner’s manual.
MANUAL TRANSMITION FLUID
While the manual transmission fluid does not have to work as hard as the automatic transmission fluid, it still has a job to do. The manual transmission fluid helps to lubricate the transmission and cool down the extra heat that has built up. With it, the transmission would wear down very quickly.
To Check It
Although some manual transmissions have dipsticks for checking the oil level, most do not. When checking the fluid level on a manual transmission, you usually have to:
1. Locate the fill plug
2. Remove it
3. Stick your finger in the hole to determine the level. The fluid should be right to the bottom of the fill plug hole. If the fluid level is low, check for leaks.
To Add To It
Add fluid through the fill plug hole.
Make sure you use only the right types of fluid for each application. Some manual transmissions use motor oil, ATF, or a special synthetic fluid with required additives. Using the wrong fluids can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your drivetrain.
WINDSHEILD WIPER FLUID
The windshield wiper fluid does what it says, it cleans the windshield. While this does not seem like a very important part of the car, it can be. Imagine trying to drive through a dirty window and not being able to see in front of you—very dangerous.
1. Find the windshield wiper fluid reservoir, usually a plastic jug filled with blue windshield washer fluid. It usually has a picture that looks like a windshield. Take care not to confuse it with the coolant reservoir, which may look similar.
2. Flip open the top of the reservoir.
3. Look to see if it is low—less than three-quarters full or below the fill line printed on the jug.
To Add To It
Add fluid if the fluid level is low and fill it to the top.
Add fluid through the fill plug hole.
Make sure you use only the right types of fluid for each application. Some manual transmissions use motor oil, ATF, or a special synthetic fluid with required additives. Using the wrong fluids can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your drivetrain.
WINDSHEILD WIPER FLUID
The windshield wiper fluid does what it says, it cleans the windshield. While this does not seem like a very important part of the car, it can be. Imagine trying to drive through a dirty window and not being able to see in front of you—very dangerous.
1. Find the windshield wiper fluid reservoir, usually a plastic jug filled with blue windshield washer fluid. It usually has a picture that looks like a windshield. Take care not to confuse it with the coolant reservoir, which may look similar.
2. Flip open the top of the reservoir.
3. Look to see if it is low—less than three-quarters full or below the fill line printed on the jug.
To Add To It
Add fluid if the fluid level is low and fill it to the top.
Works Cited
Steggell, Kevin. "Brakes and Suspension." Powerpoint presentation for Auto 100, Example Brigham Young University-Idaho. Fall 2009.
Steggell, Kevin. "Electrical and Fuel System." Powerpoint presentation for Auto 100, Example Brigham Young University-Idaho. Fall 2009.
Steggell, Kevin. "Engines." Powerpoint presentation for Auto 100, Example Brigham Young University-Idaho. Fall 2009.
Steggell, Kevin. "Lubrication and Cooling." Powerpoint presentation for Auto 100, Example Brigham Young University-Idaho. Fall 2009.
Steggell, Kevin. "Tires and Steering." Powerpoint presentation for Auto 100, Example Brigham Young University-Idaho. Fall 2009.
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