Really You Need to Check the Fluids in Your Vehicle

There are several reasons why you should check the fluids in your vehicle. One of the top reasons is safety. Another reason is cost. Imagine breaking down in heavy traffic or in a not so good part of town. Let us look at some of the things that can happen. Let us start by looking at the radiator fluid.

The antifreeze in your car doesn't only keep it from freezing; it also keeps the engine cool. If you neglect to keep the proper level maintained, the engine could overheat. When the engine overheats, it will lose power and the quite. If this was to happen on a bust freeway, you may not be able to make it to the side of the road before the engine quits, which could cause a multi-vehicle pileup, not a pleasant day.

Even if you were not involved in an accident, there is the cost of tow bills, repair bills, and the cost of alternative transportation while your car is in the shop. It is cheaper to spend around ten dollars for antifreeze than hundreds of dollars for repairs.

Now let us check our oil. Oil is the life of the engine. It lubricates the moving parts in the engine and to some extent, even helps cool the engine. The main thing though is lubrication, without it the moving parts will try to weld themselves together, that is not good for your engine or your bank account. If your engine seizes up in traffic, you become a traffic block. That is not good. If you make it to the side of the road, you have a tow bill, and a bill to replace your engine, that can easily run into several thousands of dollars. A three-dollar quart of oil can prevent this from occurring.

While we are at it, do not forget to check the brake fluid. This is what makes your brakes work. If the brake fluid level drops too low, air can get into the break lines and decrease the effectiveness of your brakes. You might not be able to stop in time or not at all, if that were to happen.

Most vehicles now have power steering. Low power steering fluid can make it hard to steer the vehicle. You will still have steering, but it will take considerable effort to turn the vehicle, especially at low speeds. If you have to make a quick maneuver to avoid another vehicle or a pedestrian, you might not be able to steer clear.

Keeping your transmission fluid at proper levels prevents costly repairs and helps to maintain fuel efficiency. In addition, your fuel level needs to be sufficient to travel to your destination. While we are at it, do not forget to check the windshield washer fluid. If your windshield gets dirty from a passing vehicle splashing mud on it, you will need to be able to clean your windshield in a hurry so you can see the road.