Topping up car fluids is simple yet many of us run our cars carefree, forgetting our vehicles need to drink too. Car fluids are fundamental in making our vehicles travel from A to B. While they’re out of sight when driving, never keep them out of mind.
Without regularly topping up, your car won’t pass its MOT, vital components will be knackered and worse, this misuse could mean you suffer a nasty road accident. Visiting the mechanic and re-fitting parts is also an expensive situation we’d prefer to avoid.
So save yourself money and stress by reading our definitive guide to topping up car fluids below.
Engine Oil
Your engine’s moving parts won’t be lubricated without oil. After driving, flip the bonnet, find the oil dipstick, remove it and wipe with a cloth. Place the dipstick back in place and remove again to check the oil line. If oil is between the minimum-maximum lines or notches, the level is fine. If low or below the markings, top up.
Radiator Fluid
Without this, your car could overheat and stop running. Only top up when the car hasn’t been running and is cold. To check, flip the bonnet, locate the radiator cap, remove it with a cloth and assess fluid level. If it isn’t near the top, you’ll need more.
Transmission Fluid
Ignoring this can prove costly. To check levels, safely park and leave the engine running. Open the bonnet, find and remove the dipstick, touch the fluid by hand and gently rub between finger and thumb. If it’s pinkish to clear, it’s fine. Smelly or burnt fluid needs replacing. To top up, funnel new fluid into the dipstick tube until it is underneath the ‘full’ line.
Brake Fluid
Hugely important, this helps you avoid collisions by assisting you in stopping. To check brake fluid levels, open the bonnet, find the brake fluid reservoir and remove its cap. The correct level of brake fluid is recommended to be half an inch beneath the cap so top up if necessary.
Air Conditioning Coolant
Cars can get pretty uncomfortable in summer without this. Recharging the system means using an A.C. gauge, thermometer and refrigerant. The process can be tricky so visit a mechanic if you’re unsure on what to do.
Power Steering Fluid
Regularly topping this up ensures maximum steering control and power. To check, flip the bonnet, locate the power steering fluid reservoir – usually marked ‘steering’ – open the cap and remove the dipstick. Just like checking engine oil, repeat the process of seeing whether the fluid is between the minimum-maximum markings.
Windshield Washer Fluid
This fluid helps clean your windows, aiding your visibility in bad weather. The washer tank is typically marked by a cap with a windscreen symbol once you’ve flipped the bonnet. Unscrew the cap and top up fluid until the tank is three quarters full. You can top up with water but washer fluid is far more effective at removing road dirt.
If you find you are needing to top up your car fluids too regularly or topping them up hasn’t helped, a leak or repair may need to be looked at by a mechanic.
All of the car fluids mentioned above are always fully stocked at CarParts4Less. To browse fluids and other parts suitable for your own car, all you need to do is enter your vehicle registration on our homepage – it couldn’t be simpler!