Your vehicle is a complex creature that, much like a human baby, needs a lot of attention and fluids to function. Fortunately, there are magical service centers like the one at Destination Nissan that can take care of your vehicle’s many needs for you. If you are the kind of person that likes to know what’s going on in your car and what it needs, this is a blog that will help you understand what some of the fluids that make your vehicle work and why they are important! Check it out!

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid ensures that you are able to stop when you want to stop. Check your brake fluid every time you have your oil changed and look to replace the fluid every 2 years. Your brake fluid can be checked by looking through the brake fluid reservoir on the driver side of the vehicle and should be a golden color. If the fluid looks brown, you need to change the fluid. Brake fluid should never get low, so if it looks low, or if your brakes don’t feel as responsive and you need to use more pressure to stop, check your fluid first.

Coolant

Coolant doesn’t just keep your engine cool. It actually keeps your engine the optimal temperature, preventing it from getting too cold or too hot. Your coolant should not get low, so if it does, you very likely have a leak. You can usually identify a coolant leak by a very distinct sweet maple syrup smell. Coolant can be checked by looking at the overflow reservoir (an opaque white container under the hood) and seeing if the fluid level is at or above the minimum line. If your coolant level is low, be sure to add the same type of coolant already in the vehicle. Check your coolant levels at least every 6 months, once before winter and once again before summer. Your coolant should be replaced every 2 to 3 years.

Engine Oil

Engine oil is probably the one fluid other than fuel that you know your vehicle needs. Engine oil lubricates the engine and absorbs heat to help your vehicle from overheating. Some experts recommend you check your oil every time you fill up with gas, but checking once a month should be fine for newer vehicles. Your oil can be checked by lifting the hood, removing the oil cap (it should be labeled, and if not consult your Owner’s Manual) to find the dipstick, taking the stick out and wiping it off, put it back in and then finally take it out one more time. The stick will show you what your oil level is. The color of the oil will tell you if it needs to be changed out. Make sure your car is off and has been off for at least 10 minutes before checking your engine oil.

Power Steering Fluid

Power steering fluid keeps your steering running smoothly. If you feel or hear a creaking as you steer, your power steering fluid may be running low. You can check the level by opening the hood and checking the reservoir. If you do notice the power steering fluid is low, it’s worth having your vehicle looked at by your friends at Destination Nissan. Checking your power steering fluid monthly will help avoid any leak based issues. It’s also important to note that your power steering fluid may never need replacing, but it doesn’t hurt to keep track.

Transmission Fluid

Your transmission fluid is a lubricant like your engine oil.  Instead of lubricating your engine, it keeps your vehicle’s gears moving. Checking your transmission fluid is a lot like checking your engine oil, except you will want your vehicle on when you check your transmission fluid. Transmission fluid should be checked at each oil change interval and replaced typically every 30,000 miles. The fluid should be red, so if you notice that it’s brown and smells vaguely burnt, you should replace the fluid. Your transmission fluid should not get low, so if it does, stop by Destination Nissan and we’ll check it out to see what’s going on.

Keeping up with the needs of your vehicle can be a lot, but now that you have a better understanding of a few of the fluids your vehicle needs and how to check them, it’s not so scary! If your vehicle does need some maintenance your friends here at Destination Nissan are here to help, so stop by today.