When you’re thirsty, what do you do? You take a swig of water. Well, your car needs to drink sometimes too. So, you must pay attention and give your vehicle a drink when necessary. There are six main fluids to be aware of.
1. Oil, or engine fluid, is vital for your car engine. To check it, drive for five minutes, park, wait an additional five minutes, then pop the hood and check the dip stick.
2. Radiator fluid keeps your car cool (or warm in the winter). Make certain there is enough water or anti-freeze in the radiator. Pop the hood and you will find the radiator cap right in front of you, dead center. Very important: do not open this while the vehicle is hot.
3. Transmission fluid should also be checked. For automatic cars, this is checked with the car running via a dipstick right next to the oil dipstick and often a little below it. For manual cars, or stick shifts, this is done underneath the car with the engine off via a fill plug.
4. Brake fluid can be checked usually in the engine compartment. If you can’t find, it consult your car owner’s manual for the break fluid reservoir. Do not do this in the rain.
5. Battery fluid should be checked too. Some batteries don’t need fluid checks at all but most still do. Pop the hood, find the battery and fill the six cells as needed. Always use distilled water.
6. Window-washing fluid is located in a white, plastic container in the engine compartment near the back of the engine below the windshield. Some cars have them in the back as well for rear windows.