What to Know About Your Vehicle Fluids

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – As a vehicle owner, you should know that there's a lot that goes into making sure your car will run properly. Keeping up with routine maintenance will ensure your vehicle has a long and efficient life, saving you from costly repairs in the long run. Our service FAQs help to answer not only the commonly asked questions, but also provide in-depth answers regarding your car, truck, crossover, or SUV's components and when they need to be serviced. Today, we're covering what to know about your vehicle fluids to keep your vehicle running efficiently and effectively!

Engine Oil

Q: What does engine oil do? 

A: Engine oil protects your engine from wear and extends the life of your vehicle. An engine is made up of many moving parts - and these parts usually rub against each other and cause friction, which can heat up and warp the components. Engine oil lubricates these parts to help absorb heat and keep the parts of the engine moving smoothly. Without engine oil, the vehicle's engine will heat up from the friction and can cause parts to warp or break. 

Q: When should I get my oil changed?

A: Typically, you should get your oil changed every 3,000-5,000 miles. If you're not sure how long it's been, consult the sticker on your dashboard from your last oil change and come in to our service center when it says you should!

Power Steering Fluid

Q: What does power steering fluid do?

A: Power steering fluid helps to make your handling smoother, reduce steering resistance, and makes parking a much easier process. 

Q: How do I know when my power steering fluid needs to be replaced?

A: If your steering wheel squeaks or whines when you turn your wheel, it's a sign that your power steering fluid probably needs to be replaced. It's recommended that you get your power steering fluid replaced every 30,000 miles, or whenever you begin to experience those squeaking or whining noises or any resistance from your steering wheel. 

Coolant

Q: What is coolant and what does it do?

A: Also known as antifreeze, coolant helps to control your engine's temperature while your vehicle is running. It can prevent freezing in winter months and overheating in the warm summer, but it's extremely important to keep an eye the your coolant level in your vehicle. It can also slow down or eliminate corrosion in important parts of your engine like your radiator. 

Q: How do I know my coolant needs replacing?

A: If your check engine light comes on or you notice colorful liquids leaking from your engine, get your vehicle in for maintenance as soon as you can! Your coolant should be replaced every 24,000 miles, every two years, or whenever your owner's manual recommends it.

Wiper Fluids

Q: What is the difference between regular wiper fluid and seasonal fluid?

A: The biggest difference between regular, or "all-season" wiper fluid and summer or winter wiper fluids is the solubility level. Usually, a standard fluid is made up of a combination of solvents and detergents, while a seasonal blend may carry more concentrations of specific chemicals. Winter fluids are much less diluted than summer fluids, as the chemicals help to melt snow.

Q: How often should I get my wiper fluids replaced?

A: Replace your wiper fluid whenever you need it or run out! If you find yourself running low on wiper fluid regularly, taking a jug of wiper fluid with you in your trunk keep you prepared for any situation. 

Brake Fluid

Q: How important is brake fluid?

A: Brake fluid is extremely important! It absorbs moisture and helps to reduce pressure when you're braking. It'll reduce long term corrosion, save you money, and make braking much easier. Without brake fluid, braking will be very difficult and can cause grinding of parts, threatening your safety out on the road and creating very expensive repairs in the future.

Q: When should I replace my brake fluid?

A: We recommend you get your brake fluid replaced every 30,000 miles, or whenever your vehicle owner's manual states that you should. If you hear squeaking or grinding when you put the brakes on, bring it in to our Collision Center right away and our service staff will be happy to take a look! 

One of the best ways to extend the life of your vehicle is to keep an eye on your fluid levels. Your vehicle's fluids can help everything from engine lubrication to keeping your windshield clean, so it's important to keep them in check! Learning what to know about your vehicle fluids will keep you prepared on and off the road for any situation. Still curious about vehicle fluid maintenance? Read up on our Vehicle Fluid Maintenance page and take a look at our recommendations to keep your vehicle running efficiently! If you're in need of any fluid replacements or want to get everything topped off, schedule an appointment with us and our experienced service staff will take care of whatever you need!

At Serra of Traverse City, we’re happy to offer you the best dealership experience in the Cherry Capital area. You can find the latest selection of Audi, Nissan, Toyota, VW, and Volvo vehicles at our North Campus location at 1301 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI. If you’re looking for the newest Cadillac and Subaru inventory, or our Collision Center, our South Campus is located at 1747 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686. Our used vehicles and certified pre-owned headquarters is just across the street.

Website: http://www.serratraversecity.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Serra Cadillac Subaru Google+, Serra Nissan Volvo Google+, Serra Audi Toyota VW Google+, Serra Toyota Google+, Collision Center Google+, and YouTube