Everyone says that Daylight Saving Time is the perfect time to remember things you need to check. You check your fire alarm batteries but what else should you be checking? Your car is the best place to start.
But, other than your oil, what other fluids should be checked?
Most people (like me) rely on the people taking care of my car to check these things. I drop my car off at the dealership and get a report back about everything that is good or bad about my car. This is why I’m starting to check these things on my own. Here are some things you can check in between those visits.
Coolant: Your car needs coolant to keep the car cool. Once the car warms up, it has to be kept at a certain temperature or you could damage the engine. You can find Coolant at most automotive stores but check your car’s manual about what to buy.
Brake Fluid: Brakes are super important to your car and so is how fast (or slow) you stop. Brake fluid helps the car slow gently instead of your flying through the window because it stops on a dime. You should be able to see if it is low from under the hood. It is also easy to top off from there as well.
Windshield Washer Fluid: I know it is almost spring but everyone knows how important washer fluid is during the winter. If you are low and don’t know it, it could cause an accident. If your window isn’t clear, your car isn’t safe. You can also reach this underneath the hood and is something you can easily and cheaply fix.
Transmission Fluid: This fluid “oils” all the moving parts in the engine. It could also act as a coolant for some automatic engines. There should be a dipstick (like the oil) to check it but some newer cars don’t have that. You’ll have to check your car’s manual if you don’t see it.
Checking these things keeps you from costly repairs in the future. And checking doesn’t cost you anything at all. Get in the habit and check your fluids!
