[Mechanical SFX]
Hey everybody. Jeremy here from O'Reilly Auto Parts to
talk to you about how to check and fill your vehicle's fluids. Checking fluids on
a regular basis is an easy way to help ensure the longevity and reliability of
your vehicle. Most owner's manuals will show you where
these fluids are located under the hood as well as recommending specific fluid
types and service intervals. As always if you're not completely comfortable doing
this yourself we'd be happy to recommend a professional technician in your area.
Let's start by looking at engine oil. Besides fuel it's probably the most
important fluid in your vehicle. Motor oil lubricates engine components and
keeps everything going smoothly. It's a good idea to check it once a month or
more often if you suspect a leak or another issue. Your vehicle's
manufacturer will specify the recommended oil weight and change service
interval for your vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is turned off and sitting on
level ground. Let it sit for at least 30 seconds before checking the oil level.
Most vehicles have a dipstick under the hood that you'll use to check the level
of the oil. Once you find the dipstick, slide it out and wipe the excess oil off
the end with a shop towel. You should see markings or other indicators on the
dipstick for minimum and maximum oil levels. After wiping off the excess oil,
reinsert the dipstick all the way then pull it back out to see what the oil
level is. The oil should be reading close to the maximum marking. If it's a little
low, add oil carefully to top it off. A funnel is helpful when you're doing this.
Make sure you're adding where the oil fill cap is removed not the dipstick.
Add a few ounces at a time and recheck it to make sure you don't overfill it. If
your level is at or below the minimum mark it's important to add oil
immediately. This could be an indication that your vehicle is leaking or burning
oil. You should seek the help of a professional to prevent further damage.
Also take note of the texture or color of the oil. Get some between your fingers.
It should be slick and smooth and a yellow or amber color. Grittiness or
particles in the oil can indicate that components are wearing down which is a major issue.
If you notice a milky color, check to see
if there's any condensation on the inside of the cap. If there is, it could
be an indication of moisture that hasn't been burned off, but it could also mean
that coolant is leaking into the engine oil which is a more serious situation.
Other indications of this can be brownish coloration in the coolant
reservoir or white smoke from the exhaust. If any of those symptoms are
present you should have your vehicle towed to a shop to avoid damage to your
engine. An engine produces a lot of heat and your coolant, also known as
antifreeze, is what keeps things cool. It does this by absorbing engine heat and
allowing it to dissipate through the radiator which keeps your vehicle from
overheating. It's recommended you check your coolant level with each oil change.
Always wait for your engine to cool completely before checking coolant.
Two to three hours is safe if you've been driving even though some reservoirs
will give an accurate reading whether the coolant is hot or cold. Pressurized
coolant can spray and cause burns. To check the level, you'll usually see a
tank that has minimum and maximum marks on it also. Take off the radiator cap to
make sure it's filled to the top. Only add coolant that specifically approved
by your vehicle's manufacturer and if you suspect a leak have your vehicle
diagnosed by a professional as soon as possible.
In most cases a necessary element of steering is power steering fluid.
Although there are some vehicles that have electrically assisted steering that
requires no fluid, it's a good idea to check your power steering fluid at every
oil change and change it as often as specified by your vehicle's manufacturer.
Similar to other fluids, you usually find a reservoir or dipstick in the engine
bay. Check the reservoir or remove the dipstick to check the reading and top it
off if necessary. To avoid causing damage, only use the type of power steering
fluid specified by your vehicle's manufacturer. If this fluid is something
you're happening to add regularly you probably have a leak. Have the problem
looked at by our professional technicians to avoid steering problems
and safety issues. Vehicle brakes are hydraulic which means they require fluid
to function properly. Outside of any brake issues,
it's beneficial to check your brake fluid level at every oil change.
Most vehicles have a brake fluid reservoir under the hood. Sometimes under a plastic
cover near the bottom of the windshield. Just make sure the level falls between
the marks for minimum and maximum. Also, if you can't see through the fluid, if
it's dark or cloudy, it needs to be replaced. If you're adding to the
reservoir, be sure only to use the brake fluid specified by your vehicle's
manufacturer. If your vehicle has a manual transmission with a hydraulic
clutch. You'll want to check the clutch fluid level at each oil change. Your
clutch fluid reservoir is typically located near the brake master cylinder
toward the back of the engine bay. Specific locations should be in your
owners manual. The fluid level should fall between the markings for minimum and
maximum levels. Some older vehicles may have metal reservoirs that require you
to remove the cap to see the level. Hydraulic clutches use the same type of
fluid as hydraulic brake systems, so if you do need to add fluid only add fluid
that meets the d-o-t specification recommended by your vehicle's
manufacturer. In our case, no additional fluid is needed. Transmission fluid
serves to cool and lubricate components like gears, clutches and valves inside
your transmission. Some vehicles come with transmission fluid that isn't
intended to be changed. Other vehicles will recommend changing the fluid every
thirty thousand to a hundred thousand miles. But, if you're having transmission
issues like rough shifting or surging start by checking the fluid. In some
cases you'll find a dipstick others will require a professional technician. Always
follow the procedures specified by your vehicle's manufacturer for checking
transmission fluid. If your vehicle has a dipstick the process will be similar to
how you've checked other fluids but there are a few differences when you
check the transmission fluid level. You'll want to have your engine turned
on and transmission in park or neutral depending on the vehicle. Setting your
emergency brake and chalking your wheels is a good idea for this procedure.
But before checking the dipstick, put your foot on the brake and use your gear
selector to cycle through all the gears with the vehicle idling.
This will allow a more accurate reading. The fluid should feel smooth and
be amber or red in color. Fluid that's dark cloudy or gritty indicates a
problem that requires professional attention. If you need to add
transmission fluid, use a funnel to pour a small amount into the fill tube. In most
cases, topping off this fluid won't require more than a pint so add a small
amount at a time. It's very important not to spill any outside the tube.
Transmission fluid can ignite if it makes contact with the hot manifold.
Make sure only to use the transmission fluid types specified by your vehicle's
manufacturer. Put your foot on the brake and cycle through all the gears again.
Recheck the dipstick to make sure the fluid is at the right level. Make sure
when you're done to replace the dipstick securely. Some will latch or lock into
place. Even though it isn't necessary to your vehicle's performance, windsheild
washer fluid is an important part of driving safely and it's probably the
easiest fluid to maintain. There are several varieties to choose from. Freeze
protection for cold weather, bug wash for summer, or all season for year-round
visibility. The reservoir should be easy to find and all you have to do is pour
fluid in until it's full. Most vehicles will only have one reservoir even if
there's a rear wiper but in some cases you'll find a washer fluid reservoir in
the rear also. And that's it. You'll find everything you need for this
and other jobs at your local O'Reilly Auto Parts Store or OReillyAuto.com.
Our DIY videos are designed to help answer questions that we get in our stores every day.
If you found this one helpful subscribe to our channel to get all the latest.
We'll see you again soon.
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