It’s never great to see any fluids leaking from your car. Here are just a few of the main fluids you need to be on the lookout for on a regular basis. Kauai Auto Repair can help you to determine what you’re up against if you’ve got a fluid leak.
Antifreeze
Antifreeze, also called coolant, helps to keep your car’s engine cool. It circulates through multiple different components, drawing heat away and releasing it in places it’s safe to do so, like the radiator. Antifreeze has a tough job to do, and if you spot a leak or notice that the reservoir is low, it’s really important to take care of the problem right away.
Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid is crucial to the continued operation of your car’s transmission. This vital fluid helps to lubricate, clean, and cool the transmission, ensuring that the gears change easily. When it’s new, transmission fluid is translucent and red. As it ages, it becomes more opaque and turns darker and darker brown.
Power Steering Fluid
There are a few different hydraulic systems in your car, and one of those is the power steering system. Hydraulic systems use fluid to make certain tasks easier. With steering, the power steering fluid handles some of the load of steering the car so that you expend less effort. If you spring a power steering leak, you’ll notice that your car’s handling changes and it’s a lot more difficult to control the car.
Brake Fluid
The other major hydraulic system in your car is the brake system. When brake fluid is flowing properly through the brake system, you’re able to stop your car quickly and safely, just by pressing the brake pedal and sending that fluid through pressurized hoses. Brake fluid can leak near the wheels or at the master cylinder, and you’ll notice changes in your ability to stop the car and to use the brakes.
Engine Oil
Engine oil has some of the same functions of transmission fluid, but in the car’s engine instead. It’s also brown in color and gets darker as it ages. Engine oil is the fluid that you’re going to need to change most often for your car. Skipping oil changes, although tempting, is never a good idea if your goal is to keep your car in the best condition possible.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
Windshield wiper fluid is maybe one of the fluids you don’t think about all that often. It really only comes into play when you need to clean off your windshield, but it’s still pretty important. Windshield wiper fluid is most likely to look like water if it does happen to leak out of its reservoir.
Spotted a fluid under your car? Don’t guess, give Kauai Auto Repair in Lihue, HI a call. We’ll take a look and let you know what’s happening.
