What fluids does your car need?
Your car needs to be topped up with several different fluids in order to run correctly. These include engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, engine coolant, windscreen wiper fluid and transmission fluid. To maximise the lifespan of your car, it is important that these fluids are replaced according to manufacturer recommendations. Below are a list of essential fluids, their purpose and when they should be topped up/replaced.
Engine Oil:
Engine oil lubricates the moving parts inside your car’s engine, preventing them from wearing prematurely. Over time, oil will become dirty and lose its ability to reduce friction in your engine. Oil should be replaced once a year or every 10,000 km.
If you are unsure, check the levels and colour of your car’s oil using the car’s dipstick. If the oil is dark brown or black, it may be due for a change.
Oil changes in Hamilton >
Symptoms of oil due for a change include:
- A loud-running engine.
- Reduced engine performance due to a blocked oil filter.
- High running temperatures due to increased friction creating heat.
Engine Coolant:
Engine coolant (which is a mixture of water and antifreeze) is required to prevent your engine from overheating and to avoid internal engine corrosion while you drive. It circulates through your engine, absorbs the excess heat and carries it back to your car’s radiator. Engine coolant / antifreeze can eventually become stale and need to be replaced. Most mechanics will recommend a coolant flush/replacement every 50,000 km.
Symptoms of coolant problems include:
- An overheating engine
- Rust forming in coolant tank / reservoir
- Coolant leaks under the vehicle.
Brake fluid:
Brake fluid is used to build hydraulic pressure in your car’s braking system. It ensures that your car’s brakes are able to work properly at all times. If you don’t replace your brake fluid, it can absorb water from the air and affect the safety of you and your passengers by preventing the brakes from working properly. Brake fluid should be replaced every 30,000 km.
Brake fluid replacement in Hamilton >
Symptoms of brake fluid problems include:
- Brake fluid leaking around wheels
- Reduced brake functionality
- Brake fluid fails the moisture test during a service
Transmission fluid:
Transmission fluid lubricates the parts inside your car’s transmission. In automatic cars, it also serves as a coolant and a means of transferring power between the transmission and engine. Transmission fluid should be replaced every 60,000 km.
Transmission fluid replacement in Hamilton >
Symptoms of transmission fluid due for replacement include:
- Brown colour (rather than a bright red colour)
- Slipping gears
- Automatic transmission not engaging gears properly
- Burning smell from the transmission
Power Steering fluid:
Power steering fluid is used to transmit hydraulic force from the power steering pump, to the power steering rack while turning the steering wheel. It also acts as a lubricant and coolant, and therefore must be kept clean and at the correct level.
Symptoms of when power steering fluid is due for replacement:
- Brown colour (rather than a bright red colour)
- Whining noise while engine is idling or while steering wheel is turned
- Low levels of power steering fluid
- Difficulty in turning the steering wheel
- Burning smell from the power steering system
To learn more about power steering systems click here Power Steering Fluid Flush Hamilton
Windscreen washer fluid:
Windscreen washer fluid is a mixture of water and a special cleaning fluid which helps clean off all the smeary bug and dust marks on your windscreen while driving. It is squirted onto your cars windscreen when you activate your windscreen washer jets. It is especially useful to use when the sun is low in the sky making it difficult to see, and you need the cleanest possible for safe driving.
New Car Windshield Washer Pump in Hamilton
Fluid Top Up Services in Hamilton
Is your car in need of having its fluids topped up? If so, we can help!
It can often be difficult to determine which fluids do and don’t need replacing, especially if you have just bought a new car. At Grimmer Motors, our qualified and skilled mechanics can inspect your car and replace the necessary fluids, allowing the car to function normally.
For engine oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering, windscreen washer, transmission fluid replacement AND MORE in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!