Owning a car comes with some responsibilities that cannot be negotiated. One of these is vehicle maintenance, especially when a car is getting older.
The simplest car maintenance task you can do yourself is checking fluid levels to ensure they are within the recommended range. Doing this regularly reduces wear and tear on your car, keeping it in good health for longer.
We have put together a simple guide on how to check your car’s fluid levels and how Cartrack’s maintenance solutions can help you.
In this article, you will:
-
Why checking your car’s fluid levels is important
-
Learn easy steps to check your car’s fluid levels
-
Why Checking Your Car’s Fluid Levels Is Important
We all want a car that always runs smoothly and never suffers any issues, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. Every car will eventually experience one mechanical problem or another. These can compromise vehicle health and roadworthiness, affecting driver and passenger safety.
Your fluid levels can be checked monthly or as recommended based on your vehicle’s age and condition. This process is quick, easy, and requires no special tools; most drivers can take the task on with relative ease.
Here are some reasons why checking car fluids is important:
- Ensures smooth engine operation
- Maintains proper transmission performance
- Overheating is prevented with coolant
- Enhances braking safety
- Protects the power steering system
- Improves fuel efficiency
- Prevents expensive repairs
- Enhances resale value
Low or contaminated fluids can cause overheating, braking issues, or engine damage, which may lead to costly repairs. These are all consequences that can easily be avoided with a few maintenance checks on a car every once in a while. Viscorner estimates that engine repair services can range from ₦20,000 to ₦100,000.
These are very large sums of money, especially when unexpected. This is why doing these smaller checks are important, we can assure you that when done correctly, these measures can yield great results for your car in the long-term.
Easy Steps to Checking Your Car’s Fluid Levels
Checking fluids can be done as part of a pre-or post-car inspection, both for daily use and long-distance travel. Let’s go through the steps you need to take when checking your car’s fluids.
Step 1: Park on a Level Surface and Let the Engine Cool
When starting a fluid check, the car must be parked on a stable and level surface with a cooled engine. This ensures accurate readings from the fuel rods and other measuring tools.
We advise switching off the engine and waiting a few minutes before opening the bonnet to start the checks. This will protect you from the steam build-up that will come jetting out of the engine or water tank, which happens when those liquids have not cooled sufficiently.
Step 2: Locate the Fluid Reservoirs
The next step is to identify the specific fluid you need to check or replace. Here is a list of the key fluids that need regular inspection and what the fluid does:
- Engine oil – Lubricates engine components.
- Coolant/Antifreeze – Regulates engine temperature.
- Brake fluid – Ensures proper braking performance.
- Transmission fluid – Keeps gear shifts smooth.
- Power steering fluid – Aids in easy and smooth steering.
- Windscreen washer fluid – Keeps visibility clear.
Most of these can be accessed directly from the engine, with symbols on each to indicate what they are and do. If there is any uncertainty, check your car’s manual for further explanation on where to find these fluids.
Step 3: Check the Engine Oil
One of the easier fluids to check is engine oil. Once the bonnet is open, pull out the dipstick from the engine, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and check the level. The oil level should be between the two marks on the dipstick. If it falls below the lower mark, it needs to be topped up.
It is also important to consider the oil colour and consistency. The darker and grittier the oil is, the likelier it is to need changing.
Step 4: Inspect Coolant Levels
In order to check the coolant level, you must look at the reservoir markings. They will indicate where the coolant needs to be for it to be full. Make sure not to overfill the coolant by going over the “Full” marking.
We must warn you against opening the radiator cap when the engine is hot. This will release heated coolant and gas which may cause severe burns.
Step 5: Examine Brake Fluid and Power Steering Fluid
If you are looking to check brake fluid, look for the brake master cylinder, usually on the driver’s side, where the brake fluid reservoir will be attached. You can check these fluid levels against the “Min” and “Max” marks, this will let you know if you need to top it up or not.
It is important to know that low brake fluid could indicate worn brake pads or a potential leak. This will need to be investigated by a technician in order to get the most accurate prognosis.
Step 6: Assess Transmission Fluid
The best way to check automatic transmission fluid is by using a dipstick. This process will be similar to the brake fluid one, where you check the stick’s markings. The level should be between the “Max” and “Min” markings.
Transmission fluid should be red or pink. A darker colour may indicate contamination or burning, which requires attention.
Step 7: Top Up If Necessary
When topping up fluids, make sure to clean the area and, where applicable, remove components for cleaning. If the fluid appears to be contaminated, then you should drain it and replace it with new fluids.
Engine oil, coolant, and other car fluids can be found at major supermarkets or petrol stations, ranging from R25 to R70 for 500ml of engine oil and coolant from R100 to R350 for 1 litre. This price will depend on the brand and quality of the fluid being purchased, with more premium brands costing more.
Always make sure to use the correct fluid type as specified in the owner’s manual. This should also be the case when replacing fluids or topping them up.
Check your dashboard after doing these changes and make sure none of the lights are on, as this could indicate that one of the fluids is still low.
Cartrack’s Smart Vehicle Maintenance Solutions at Your Fingertips
Keeping track of fluid checks can be challenging amid a busy schedule, however, it is important to do so if a driver wants to avoid getting into a car accident. Fortunately, Cartrack has features that can assist with this problem.
Here’s what we have on offer to help:
Comprehensive Vehicle Tracking Solutions
Cartrack’s advanced car tracking system does more than just monitor your car’s location, it comes with a host of solutions to help with car maintenance. Our technology has built-in telematics and vehicle diagnostics, all of which are meant to give accurate reports on driver behaviours that might influence vehicle health.
Real-Time Vehicle Diagnostics for Proactive Maintenance
Unexpected breakdowns can be both inconvenient and expensive. This is why receiving early warnings is important, as it allows you to address minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs.
Cartrack’s vehicle diagnostics provide real-time alerts on key vehicle health indicators, fluid level detection depends on your vehicle’s CAN bus compatibility with telematics. The alerts can be for:
- Low fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid)
- Battery health warnings
- Engine performance issues
- Potential mechanical faults
Checking your car’s fluids with this system in place is much easier as you will now have a more comprehensive view of all the factors affecting your car’s overall health.
The Cartrack App: Your Personal Vehicle Assistant
Whether you drive a brand-new car or an older model from your grandparents, our app ensures you will never miss a critical maintenance check. With the mobile app, keeping up with car maintenance has never been easier. The app provides:
- Maintenance reminders based on mileage and service history
- Instant alerts for low fluids or urgent mechanical issues
- Detailed vehicle health reports to track long-term performance
Having this technology at the tip of your fingers makes it easier to stay on top of all car maintenance. These can be sent to you as reminders and come as reports as well so you have an overview of what is happening in your car.
Keep Your Car Running Smoothly With Regular Fluid Checks
Your car will not always run smoothly, but there are things you can do to help. Doing regular fluid checks and changes is one of the things that you can do, it is fairly simple and does not require technical skill. What is important is that they are done early or as soon as there is an indication that something is wrong.
With Cartrack, these issues are a thing of the past. Our offering provides full diagnostics and gives you alerts when something is wrong. If this sounds good to you, then contact us to learn more about what we can do for you.
