There Are More Essential Vehicle Fluids Than Just Your Engine Oil- Here's What They Are and Why It's Important to Keep Them In Top Shape
When you think about the “routine” maintenance services for your vehicle, what comes to mind? We would assume oil changes, tire rotations, and looking at the brakes. This is all very true, but there are other fluids that are essential to the upkeep and safety of your vehicle and it’s important to know what they are and how to keep them in top shape.
Transmission Fluid
Just as your engine uses oil to lubricate and cool its internals, transmissions use specially designed transmission fluid for the same purpose. The quality and color of your fluid can speak a lot about the health of your transmission as well. What does a healthy fluid look like? Depending on your transmission model and design, it may be a variation of a pink-red color, and turns browner and darker as it gets closer to be needing it’s fluids exchanged and replaced. CVT transmissions sometimes have gold or green fluid. What we hate to see is very dark, smelly, or worse, fluid with metal shavings in it. This means there is possible damage to your transmission itself. Low levels can indicate a leak, so it’s important to keep an eye on your transmission fluid to prevent more expensive repairs down the road.
Brake Fluid
When brakes are brought up you think of your pads and rotors, but there is also Brake Fluid that needs to be in good condition to keep your vehicle stopping as it should when you press the brake pedal. Brake fluid can last many many years depending on your vehicle, but it can become contaminated, so it's important to have it inspected for moisture and copper content and contamination.Water in the brake lines lowers the boiling point of the fluid, so your stopping ability can diminish as heat in the system increases. In addition, over time the moisture can cause internal corrosion in the brake lines, calipers, the master cylinder and other components.Generally, brake fluid can be clear or light brown in color, and will darken or become murky with age/ contamination. Engine Oil keeps your car going, and Brake Fluid keeps your car stopping, but is often not discussed as an essential fluid.
Coolant
Coolant circulates, making sure your vehicle’s components are operating at the right temperature. It is a common misconception that your coolant is related to your A/C system, but it can be related to your heater. When you have low coolant or coolant issues it can mess with your temperature regulation which can cause serious havoc on your vehicle. Without enough coolant, your engine may overheat. Engine Cooling Problems could arise if you don’t have the right mixture of coolant, which is typically a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. Finally, a leak in the system could contaminate your coolant and prevent it from working properly. There are a variety of coolants out on the market and its very important to never mix them, make sure you follow your manufacturer’s recommendation.
Power Steering Fluid
A pump is attached to the vehicle’s engine and operated by a belt, which circulates the hydraulic fluid within the system to apply a force multiplier to the wheels. When the steering wheel is activated, valves spring into operation to control the flow of liquid through a hydraulic cylinder, which in turn will apply force to the steering gear. As the driver turns the wheel even further, additional fluid is released and pumped through the cylinder, so that extra force is applied to the wheels. Over time this fluid can either become contaminated or can leak, which can reduce your steering ability and performance. Some symptoms include noisy turning, difficulty steering, or a hard to turn steering wheel. Using the right fluid in your power steering system is CRITICAL. if you use the wrong fluid it can damage the system, for example: Honda requires Honda Power Steering fluid and if you use an universal fluid the system can lose function. Earlier Toyotas used automatic transmission fluid and if “power steering fluid” was used it would damage the system.
We always check these fluids when we perform routine maintenance on your vehicle, but if you are using other facilities for routine services make sure to ask about these fluids. We also prioritize these fluids in your vehicle health report and let you know when you may need to exchange these fluids so you can plan ahead. We always encourage people to not let the small routine maintenance lapse to prevent larger, bigger repairs down the road. If you think you may need any fluid help please contact us anytime to set up an appointment. We are located at 7637 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Carmichael, CA 95608 or you can call or text us at (916) 767-4120.